The Panic Diaries: The Frightful, Sometimes Hilarious Truth about Panic Attacks

I borrowed this book from the library on my return from OS. Having just started going to CBT in the UK and not being able to afford to continue at the moment I have been looking for helpful books to get me through in the mean time. This book has been wonderful. I have been taking the slowly slowly approach to reading it, which seems to work best. It has helped minimize my panic attacks related to clusterphobia, and helped me deal with them on a daily basis. I'm not sure whether it is the helpful hints, the reasurrance or the calming effect it has on me reading about others experiences. A very helpful CBT compainion.

I had my first panic attack when I turned 35. I still don't know why. What I do know is that I thought I was losing my mind, that I had no idea what was wrong with me and that I thought I was all alone with no where to turn. Too scared to talk to a doctor and too scared of being laughed at if I talked to friends, this is the first book I purchased to try and sort through my feelings about the subject. All I can say is thank you to the authors. Now I realize, I am not crazy, I am not alone and I am not afraid to go looking for additional help if my situation becomes worse. The book is written in a lighthearted style that guides the reader through anecdotal stories of panic attacks in daily life. I'm glad this was my first book on panic attacks because I was worried that I might end up with something that went heavy on medical doctrine or a stress inducing list of junk to memorize. If you suffer from panic attacks I would also recommend this book as a gift to anyone in your life that is close to you that you want to help understand your condition. It's an easy (sometimes humorous) read that you won't have to feel guilty about asking them to read because it won't feel like work (or a textbook).

I really enjoyed this book. I have panic disorder with agoraphobia. I read the whole thing in one night, and didn't have any anxiety for 3 days after. I then gave it to my family to read so maybe they can understand how I am feeling. I give it 5 stars. It didn't cure me, but it certainly made me feel understood, and kind of added some rational thought to my irrational, anxious thoughts.

As a sufferer of panic attacks, I found this book light hearted, funny and hopeful. The authors do not claim to be medical experts, only women who have experienced the same things many panic sufferers can relate to. Having done my share of research on panic attacks, I found this book compiled all the major information into one, easy to read resource. It made me laugh, but most of all, it made me feel normal. I would highly recommend this book as one of many resources to someone suffering from panic attacks.

It sounds so cliche, I know, but this book will make you laugh and cry at the same time. It is brilliantly hilarious and remarkably informative. You can actually laugh at life's catastrophes while learning how to deal with them. I found this book historical, hysterical, informative and very well structured and written. Even if you do not have panic attacks, read it! Or share it with someone who does or does not have panic attacks. It is a smooth read and incredibly entertaining. It is the best and funniest book I have read since THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. It is laugh out loud funny and I cannot recommend it enough.... I look forward to seeing the movie!!