Portland Public Library

On edge, a journey through anxiety, Andrea Petersen

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

autobiography

index present

non fiction

On edge

bibliography

956960274

Andrea Petersen

a journey through anxiety

A wry, sympathetic, brazenly honest account of living with anxiety, coupled with deep reportage on the science of anxiety disorders. --, Provided by publisherA racing heart. Difficulty breathing. Overwhelming dread. Andrea Petersen was first diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at the age of twenty, but she later realized that she had been experiencing panic attacks since childhood. With time her symptoms multiplied. She agonized over every odd physical sensation. She developed fears of driving on highways, going to movie theaters, even licking envelopes. Although having a name for her condition was an enormous relief, it was only the beginning of a journey to understand and master it - one that took her from psychiatrists' offices to yoga retreats to the Appalachian Trail. Woven into Petersen's personal story is a personal story is a fascinating look at the biology of anxiety and the risk factors for anxiety disorders - from overprotective parenting to childhood trauma. She compares psychoactive drugs to nondrug treatments, including biofeedback and CBT. Along the way she surveys the sometimes bizarre treatments for anxiety of past eras. She also explores the role that genetics plays in mental illness, visiting top neurologists and tracing her family history - from her grandmother, who plagued by paranoia once tried to burn down her own house, to her young daughter in whom Petersen sees shades of herself. And she describes groundbreaking research that could point the way to new treatments - from mri neurofeedback to the use of ketamine (also known as the street drug Special K). One in three Americans will have an anxiety disorder at some point during their lives. Brave and empowering, this is essential reading for anyone who knows what it means to live on edge. -- from dust jacket

The anticipation of pain: Defining anxiety -- Scary clowns and the end of days: Anxiety in childhood -- My grandmother's madness: The genetics of anxiety -- From CBT to karaoke: Nondrug therapies for anxiety -- May cause dizziness: Medications for anxiety -- Cold calls, airplanes, and indecision: Anxiety at work and on the road -- The isolation chamber: Anxiety in love and friendship -- Worries about my daughter: The education of an anxious parent -- Staying grounded: Learning to live with anxiety