Helen Kennerley
Oxford University Press
1990, 177 pages
Anxious patients can be treated in many ways and as general practitioners we have numerous opportunities for exercising our therapeutic skills. Tranquillizers have had a bad press lately so it is good to be reminded that psychological methods have been steadily simplified over the years, are at least as effective as drug treatment and are a good deal safer.
This deceptively slim volume is addressed to all members of the primary care team who wish to develop skills in anxiety management training. The physical symptoms, worrying thoughts and psychomotor behaviour associated with anxiety are carefully explained and illustrated in four typical but fictional cases. The problems are examined in a clear and ordered way and the formulation of conclusions are shared with the client who can then be offered a personal treatment programme, including carefully planned homework between the sessions. A range of therapeutic approaches is described and their practical application is explained with admirable clarity. The book includes sample diary sheets and scripts for making relaxation tapes. In addition, there are nine information sheets for clients to reinforce the recommended homework. It is all well presented with helpful summaries at the end of each short section. At the end of the volume are fuller references both to the technical literature and to books and organizations that clients might find useful.
This book shows exactly how to go about helping anxious and phobic patients. It is so well explained that even beginners might feel tempted to try out some of these ideas.