Let me introduce you to the seven people, besides myself (the author), whom you will meet in this book. These brief descriptions will highlight some of the difficulties we faced and the turning point that propelled us on the journey from anxiety to freedom.

• Howard

Howard was voted California Physician of the Year but often doubted his own value because he suffered from severe claustrophobia. He was too uneasy to sit in a movie theater, have a partner on the dance floor, or lecture in front of a class...until he saw a feature story on the evening news that described his condition and the skills that could change his life.
 
• Bonnie

Bonnie became panic-stricken on a ski lift, and sometimes had to change college courses that were located on high floors. She was so afraid to be labeled crazy that she kept her panic attacks a secret even from her husband...until she found some books in the library that described her experience and led her to a home-study casssette program for reducing anxiety.
 
• Edward

Edward covered up his dread of driving by working and living within a two-mile radius of his home. He kept small bottles of alcohol in his glove compartment to medicate himself enough to drive short distances...until he realized that the alcohol was destroying his nerves and started attending A.A. Soon after he found a group program for people with panic and phobias.
 
• Kathy

Kathy did her best to deal with some stressful family situations but her panic episodes worsened over several years. She often was too anxious to go out even to her front yard and began to feel like a prisoner in her own home...until an understanding doctor listened to her story, sent her a workbook to start her on a recovery program, and encouraged her with weekly phone consultations.
 
• Brian

Brian, son of a commercial airline pilot, froze in terror during a routine flight to visit his family. After that he lost his self-confidence and isolated himself from friends and professional acquaintances. When he cancelled his planned vacation to Europe, he became withdrawn and depressed...until he saw an ad in Consumer Reports and ordered a pamphlet describing the symptoms of anxiety disorder.
 
• Alicia

Alicia was extremely uncomfortable speaking in social situations or making eye contact. When she took time off to get away from a stressful job, her fear of being embarassed in front of others began to take over her life. She refused invitations and could hardly talk on the telephone...until a chance conversation made her aware of a group where she could meet others with similar fears.
 
• Claire

Claire tried to cope with her catastrophic thoughts and frequent panic attacks by making elaborate plans to avoid the places she feared. She couldn't complete an MRI exam ordered by her doctor and depended on her husband to take her everywhere she needed to go...until her determination to get help forced her medical plan to refer her to a therapist who worked specifically with panic.