Review: Perfectly Panic Free

For many people who suffer from panic attacks or from panic disorder, their ailments are mysterious. There are many unknowns (and the possibilities are so vague, it might as well be unknown) that could harm them. Panic attacks arrive unexpectedly, like the Grim Reaper, with unknown triggers. Unfortunately, this fear of the unknown and the unexpected just make things worse.

If fear of the unknown can make things worse, then knowledge of panic attacks and panic disorder can make things better. While there are many books on the subject, few are as informative and convenient as Mike Karowski’s ebook Perfectly Panic Free.

The book is very well thought out. It’s comprehensive. The topics introduce us slowly, but surely, to panic attacks and panic disorders. At first, it gives an overview on how the medical world sees panic attacks. It tells the story how early doctors first noted it and how it is classified today. I really liked the part where it mentions famous people who suffer from anxiety disorders. I finally have something in common with Johnny Depp!

Chapter Two discusses panic disorder and various health problems that are linked to it. It delves into a lot of detail. I was very worried to know that there are health problems that are eerily similar to panic disorder. It’s good to know that doctors are very much aware of these similarities and take it into account.

Chapter Three explains Psychotherapy, which is the method used by most doctors to treat panic disorder. It lists the therapies and medications that are used to treat patients. Honestly, some of this went over my head, but it’s obvious that the author tried his best to simplify a complicated subject filled with difficult names.

Alternative treatments are discussed in Chapter Four. The alternative treatments are diverse. This was the first time that I encountered Laugh Therapy. Laughing panic attacks away seems silly but it does make a kind of sense.

I really loved this part. It’s very encouraging. In Chapter Five, the author recounts his battle with panic disorder. This was where I connected with the author. We both had our first panic attack at the same time: when we were 18 years old. The example he creates is very encouraging to me and I am not alone in this. Other panic disorder sufferers who borrowed my copy felt heartened by his story.

The author winds up in Chapter Six, which describes the “Workbook”. It’s a journal that every panic disorder sufferer should have in order to treat his condition. He gives instructions on how to make one and what to write in it. The last chapter is a heartfelt message to all his readers.

All the chapters have chapter summaries, which go over the material included in the chapter again. It’s a great device to make sure that the reader understands the chapter. This shows the care that the author has for his readers.

For anyone suffering from panic attacks and panic disorder, this book can help dispel the cloud of anxiety in your mind. When that happens, a little of your suffering will definitely go away.