Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A professor of clinical psychiatry and a woman whose life has been adversely impacted by social anxiety disorder provide a unique view of the condition and its treatment in this slim volume. Leibowitz, who researched the disorder prior to its becoming officially recognized in the 1980s, lends scientific heft to co-author Ford?s personal experiences with social anxiety disorder (defined as "the extreme fear of social situations that involve unfamiliar people or the possibility of scrutiny by others"). Ford is honest if a bit simplistic in relating her struggles, which began in adolescence. Prior to her diagnosis, Ford struggled with drinking, severe eating disorders and pulling out clumps of her hair. "By hitting my lowest point, I had found the will to start fighting for life," she writes. Ford found a psychotherapist who introduced her to cognitive-behavioral therapy, whose treatment pulled her from her slump. Readers will find helpful charts throughout the book and an appendix loaded with further reading and contact information for advocacy groups. Thanks to its informative guide to diagnosis, suggestions for treatment and tips on dealing with the health care system, this is a must read for anyone who suffers from the disorder. (July) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up-Ford tells a compelling story of how, at age 27, she has finally learned to cope with the social anxiety disorder that has plagued her for most of her life. She describes her family, high school, and college experiences, and the severe depression, compulsive behaviors, and eating disorders that also afflicted her. A clear expository text that gives facts about the disorder and its treatment is interspersed with the narrative. It explains that these separate mental illnesses can go hand in hand with social anxiety disorder, but that everyone who suffers from social anxiety does not necessarily also exhibit signs of other mental illnesses. Ford is equally forthcoming about the low she reached before she sought professional help and her success in controlling her symptoms with a combination of medications and the support of an excellent therapist. An exceptional choice for students and teachers alike, this book is a useful and easy-to-use resource and a gripping memoir.-Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
