To cdg - The book I was refering to was called The Highly Sensitive Person, by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., and The Highly Sensitive Person's Workbook...although I have put it on the shelf for a while, maybe it's time I got it back down again...I just hate doing the work. The original book about Highly Sensitive People gives you a test at the beginning of the book, actually, if you look it up online under Elaine N. Aron, you can take the test online. This determines whether you were probably born a highly sensitive type, which scientists have determined that about 20% of the population are, as well as 20% of the animal population that fit into this catagory from birth. There are subcatagories, which I am finding out as I talk with others on this website. Some people who have anxiety disorders may not fit into this catagory at all...however, I think a great many of them do, and the first book was a real eye opener for me. It's just getting down to actually doing the cognitive therapy type thing. Actually, Elaine Aron feels that we shouldn't have to appologize for being sensitive, but should prize ourselves for some of the wonderful side effects of this personality type, even though it can also lead to the anxiety disorders we are all talking about here, and being on medications to cope. Mind you, as I mentioned before, not everybody fits into this catagory and there are many sub-catagories. I got the book out of the shelf, and it talks about things like reasons for shyness, taking care of over arousal, reframing bad things that happened in the past, reframing your shy moments, assessing your work history and how it agrees or disagrees with a sensitive personality, relationships , reframing significant illnesses or medical care experiences, spirituality, religion, and how to find other sensitive people to talk with who will understand you. I think it was a good idea...Depending on your level of sensitivity, your childhood parenting, relationships, and things that happened to you in your life, all contribute to your variation of problems...So although I put it on the shelf, I think I will take it out again. I have finished this panic program, but I am still loging in for my diary and support from others, and to support others. I think this site is great!

I have read one good book and started another. The first one is "From Panic to Power"..a little pompous on the title but a decent book. I like this one better..."Anxiety and Panic Attacks" "Their cause and cure". Its got some solid advice on relaxation technique. I was a little scepticalat first and did modify some of the suggestions to fit my own needs but **** it has helped me relax. I am definitly relying on these techniques more than I am my xanax.

Thanks trish! sounds good. i have been doing a lot of reading on the autonomic nervous system and stress...i have ibs/gerd.

In addition to above mentioned books of which I have read quite a few of those, there is one I have that is newly published within the last year or so, BUT this one speaks of the medical aspects of the disorder, explains theories of how out of the blue attacks can occur, its scientific in aspect, but written for a layperson, easy to follow. It also speaks of the various comorid conditions with panic, IBS/GERD, etc that comes with this, and explains it, example the bile secretion at night during sleep times, etc. I also was interested in the talk of sleep paralysis since I have had bouts of that also. It also gives various check list of what definitely should be checked out before a definitive diagnosis of panic is made, and what they are looking for in this aspect. It then also is like other books, treatments, you are not alone, case studies of individual with certain symptoms that you can totally relate too, etc. It is called "Surviving Panic Disorder" by Dr. Stuart Shipko.

To Redface: Is "the highly sensitive person" the whole name of the book. When I looked it up I found several ones on all different subjects. Also when you say workbook are you talking about "the anxiety & phobia workbook" by Edward Bourne? If so I have that one & like you I found it difficult after the first few chapters & mine is on a shelf as well. Thanks

To Kris; I read the Highly Sensitive Person, and thought it was wonderful. At the end of the book, it talks about dealing with sensitivity, whether or not a person takes medications to deal with it, and how this may affect our lifestyles into the future. For the first time, I felt understood, and I wrote to that website too, and thanked them for the book. Now I began to understand other people like myself exist out there, although in smaller numbers. I also got the workbook, but I found it so difficult after the first few chapters, I put it back on the shelf. Maybe it's time I took it up again. What did you think of it?

The 1st book I read when I was diagnosed with panic disorder was "From Panic To Power" by Lucinda Bassett. It was good for me & I could really relate. Another one that has rescently been suggested to me is "The Anxiety cure" by Archibald Hart.

A couple good books to read: "Don't Panic" and "The Highly Sensitive Person." Both at Barnes & Noble. A little outdated, but excellent book "The Anxiety Disease" by Dr. Sheehan.

Thanks redface i'll check it out!

I just got a copy of the Patch Adams book entitled, House Calls, How we can all heal the world one visit at a time by Hunter (Patch) Adams MD. You can access his websites on the internet. I wrote to him personally at his home address about a month ago, and he sent me a free book worth about $20.00. He suffered with some sort of mental problems in his teen years, was a brilliant genius, and started a whole alternative medicine thing in the states. (Now I am not so optomistic as this title is), however, it is very funny and especially practical for anyone who works in a hospital, or visits people in the hospital regularly. Since that includes people like nurseboy and mudslinger, I hope you and others get a chance to read his view of happiness and mental/emotional illness, and how to cope when suffering because of the suffering of others....