Doody's Review Service

Reviewer: Elaine M. Scorza, MS, APRN, BC (Rush University College of Nursing)
Description: This book is designed to answer common questions about anxiety.
Purpose: The intention is to serve as a roadmap for understanding the shape of basic anxiety disorders, and for manifestations of clinical anxiety. "It helps readers to distinguish normal reactive anxiety," from the overburdening kind which may be responsive to treatment. The book is needed by the laity and by clinical professionals who educate their clients on the topic. The book is well written at an appropriate level that will appeal to the public as well as the professionals who may use it in their collaborative treatment for those clients experiencing anxiety.
Audience: This book is written primarily for a client and general population interested in the topic of anxiety and its treatment, but it is useful to students of the helping professions needing education on the topic as well as clinicians who need an educational resource.
Features: The author brings to the book his considerable experience as both a clinician and an educator, and thoroughly covers the nature of anxiety and its manifestations as well as the major ways it is treated. The reference section at the end enhances the utility of the book with resources that the reader can use to get further help if needed. Rating scales are a help to both the reader and the educator as tools. The best part is its organization and simplicity. Progressing from a base of "what it is" to "what to do about it," the author clearly describes thoughtful ways to manage the condition of anxiety, backed with literature research. The addition of perspective from sufferers enhances the connection between the reader and the information and the artwork enhances the concepts and readability. While some paragraphs contained references to "she" while describing anxiety and depression, the reader may not presume that only or more females suffer from the problem vs. males, as the book is for all who suffer from anxiety.
Assessment: This is a good quality book for the public, students in the healthcare professions, and clinicians. It is a simply written, well informed text that leaves the reader with more than they may expect from a lesser piece such as a brochure. Due to its use of discussion and commentary by sufferers in a professional way, it is unlike either informational materials that just describe the disorder or its treatment and simple testimonials without the benefit of professional literature review.