New edition available click here for more information
"If you want to help me, please don't teach me what you have learned from others. Teach me something you have learned yourself.
In these pages I hope to teach you what I have learned about fear and anxiety, how these become disorders, how people's lives are affected, how to manage symptoms and how to find effective and lasting relief.
Anxiety, expressed in many ways, is experienced by millions of others throughout the world. Contrary to when this book was first published, these days, anxiety disorders are commonly recognised: professional diagnoses are made, people are given 'stress' leave, a variety of treatments are available, the internet stores countless references and active support groups for anxiety sufferers can be readily accessed. Despite all this, anxiety continues to flourish within our society and so I present a new edition of this book to mark 25 years since its first publication, 25 years in professional practice and 30-something years' freedom from the clutches of agoraphobia - said to be the most severe of the anxiety disorders.
As anxiety and its accompanying symptoms are manifested in the form of physical or mental distress of some kind, the obvious course of action is to seek medical help. Consequently, I ask for the attention of the many medical doctors who hear the plea of the person in fear, yet may not really answer it. Some do not have adequate information or understanding; many are too busy while others can respond with indifference or impatience. Unfortunately the inclination in these circumstances is to prescribe anti-depressants or tranquillisers - or to view anxiety as a condition to be treated by rational means - while perhaps offering little hope of lasting change. To all health professionals I would like to say: there may be a better and more enriching way to solve some of those anxiety problems you find before you.
It is also important that the public be kept aware of the influence of anxiety within the community. At great cost to society, much productivity can be lost - by employers or employees alike. General public awareness can inspire people to recognize and minimize anxiety and tension in their own lives and thus contribute to a more relaxed and healthy society. Finally, though this book is primarily addressed to adults, there are also countless children and adolescents whose lives are spoiled by fear. As you would recognize, anxiety does not differentiate between age groups and many young people are suffering greatly, too. If parents, teachers, counsellors, doctors and other interested adults want to help our young, I believe you may discover some useful clues in these pages."
Pauline McKinnon from the Introduction
In this totally revised four-part edition of her landmark book, Pauline McKinnon gives her practical, clinical insight as a psychotherapist and her personal understanding from overcoming debilitating agoraphobia to all those touched by anxiety in their lives. She writes with compassion and wisdom to explain how to beat anxiety using her beautifully simple method of Stillness Meditation Therapy (SMT), based on the work of eminent psychologist Dr Ainslie Meares.
A practicing psychotherapist, Pauline McKinnon specializes in Stillness Meditation Therapy (SMT), maintaining the unique teachings of Dr Ainslie Meares. She also conducts a practitioner training course along with regular lectures and workshops for corporate bodies, community centres, support groups, schools, hospitals and universities.
In publishing Quiet Magic and Help Yourself and Your Child to Happiness some years ago, Pauline acted upon her concern for young people experiencing anxiety. These books have led to S.M.T. programs being successfully introduced into some Australian primary schools.
