'"Freeing Your Child from Anxiety"' Is Not The Bible on Panic Disorder

Tamar E. Chansky's book, Freeing Your Child from Anxiety Revised & Updated Edition loudly proclaims the mind over matter approach.  Although there are many rewarding benefits to teaching your children to be positive and to have courage in the wake of panic disorder; I know that it is just not that simple or realistic.  I beg to differ from the writer on a number of stances.  As a recovering agoraphobic I am still on a very small amount of anti-anxiety medication to keep the attacks at bay.  Ms. Chansky  regards medication as a quick fix to be used only on a short term basis.  Please note here that it is imperative a psychiatrist make such determination and prescribe the appropriate medication for each individualized case.  Family doctors are not equipped with all the knowledge about anxiety disorder.  From my personal experience, medication alone will not resolve the deep seated issues relative to panic disorder.  The best resolution for long term success is cognitive therapy along with medication.  Group therapy does wonders in supporting individuals with this affliction.  The author of the above book also downplays the significance that genetic's play in diagnosing anxiety disorder.  She believes that panic is a physiological response yet it is included in the DSM III manual of Mental Disorders.  My argument here being that for years depressed people have been told that if they only change their thoughts by those ignorant to the complexity of chemical imbalances in the brain.  This way of thinking is regarded among those who are have no clue about mental disorders and has made it near impossible to go beyond the stigma that still exists today.  My father suffered from anxiety and panic disorder his adult life and by choice he never sought treatment.  I after struggling with housebound agoraphobia for four years found an amazing psychologist who was willing to do housecalls until I was confident enough to get to his office.  Within two years of therapy and medication I was able to make a 180 degree and live a normal life.  I went back to college and made it on the Dean's list followed by a rewarding career.  I also now take solo trips around the United States.  My daughter was recently diagnosed with panic disorder and agoraphobia and she has began treatment.  None of us had any symptoms until we were in our early twenties which for me discounts this book largely on the fact that children are way too young to appropriately be diagnosed with anxiety disorder due to their bodies are still changing.  My review would give this new book a C+ in grading.  Tamar Chansky Ph.D. enlighten's the audience with the meanings of different anxiety disorders and I am impressed with the support victims receive through family members as outlined in this book.  I was given the opportunity to review for Blogging for Books.  To learn more about the author  Tamar Chansky Ph.D ~