Freedom From Agoraphobia

This is a horrible book. The main premise of the author is 'just do it and go out'. Simply just going out and getting used to it. Who doesn't know that? There is a difference between 'getting used' to a place and not letting anxiety get to u in any place. One can get used to place-A and stop feeling anxious when going to place-A but if he goes to place-B, the anxiety will come back. I get the feeling that the author does not seem to understand agorophobics as he himself is not an agoraphobic. Hence he equates easing agorophobia with solutions to drug and alcohol problems - just like an alcoholic, he deduces that an agorophobic may need to REACH BOTTOM before the agorophobia can go away. Then there are the standard relaxation exercises like tensing your feet/arm/neck muscles, then releasing them. Again who does not know that? I learnt nothing from this book save taking along an emergency kit (cell phone, tranquilizers, aspirin, pepper spray, airplane-type vomitting bag) when one goes out. If one relies on an emergency kit, it is just as good as relying on booze as a crutch. Finally, the title indicates a 'Medication Independent' method to being free from agorophobia but a list of the usual sort of medications are given and even encouraged. In the end, his 'just do it and go out' philosophy just doesn't jive with those wanting to lessen agorophobia long term.

This book gives many tools for gettintg over this debilitating problem. Just reading the simple explinations of Panic/Agoraphobia will help put your mind at ease and direct you in the correct ways of mastering panic attacks. I highly recommend it.

This is a different approach to panic disorder. This book had me looking into new reasons for this disorder. Very helpful.

I loved this book - it was so well written! Out of all the books I have read on this topic, I must admit this one was the most accurate and easy to read of all them.

I used this book to help me through a bad time in my life. It's thought-provoking as well as empowering. You can work through your situation without depending on medications or talk therapy. (Both medications and talk therapy are also very helpful, but my point is that you can do this book on your own!)

"...What if there was something far better than going through life hoping you would never have another panic attack?" Dr. Eisenstadt not only lets us in on what that might be but illuminates the various journeys we might take to that end and empowers usach to fashion our own.These aren't the musings a Mark Twain, Rush Limbaugh or Garrison Keelor on the subject, which as an aside, may be the only time those three names will ever appear in a single sentence. His language is simple and straight forward.Dr. Eisenstadt is manifestly a doctor of psychiatry but more to the point, a doctor in its original sense of 'teacher'. He does not bombard us with magic bullets, esoteric rituals or charismatic psycho-buffoonery. Instead, he explains what is known andhat is not; things that might be done; with whom; using what; how they work, and how they might not ... in a gentle, reasonable and compassionate voice.Thanks Mark, from a retired mental health counselor.

I have had Agoraphobia since I was in the 3rd Grade; I remember having my first panic attack at the auditorium at the school gym. I have been through therapy, medication and several programs throughout my life. Freedom From Agoraphobia has been the only thing that has worked!!! Dr. Eisenstadt helps you to understand why you have panic, how to get rid of panic and all in an easy to read book. There were times I would laugh out loud with thoughts of him knowing what I was thinking. It is an amazing book, if you want freedom this is the way to it....