Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast

i really dont count my how many times i cried while reading this book . i regret those time when i desperately need some to help me out with my own thoughts trust me it feels like a prison inside coming to the book this not only ensures that u r not the only one who are facing this but also how you can get rid of those negative thoughts which are ruining ur life day by day The dare respose is not only helpful but gives u a instant feeling of freedom from anxiety i recomend this book for anxiety and panic attcks definately thums up i dont know the author see my review or not but i really want to thank him from the core of my heart for making us aware that this is totaly normal and we dont have to feel guilty about it at last just sharing a sentence from a book which give me so much tears is that "people who are suffering from anxiety are the most beautiful people" the struggle was very tough i am trying my level best to remove anxiety from my life by dare response wish me good luck . love from INDIA

As soon as I finished reading (applying the techniques mentioned) the first 3 chapters my depression, anxiety started fading away. It's been over a month now and life has been a lot more meaningful now than dealing with the viscous cycles of negative thoughts for over 3 months.Had visited a psychiatrist for 4 sessions each costing Rs2000/- but wasn't worth it.Barry thank you very much.

Have read a few other books on this subject, but this is one of the better ones than other books out there in the market....but of you are one who is suffering from anxiety, my suggestion would be to go for a professional help and read the book only for motivational purpose.

मैं हर उस मां बाप, भाई या दोस्त को यह पुस्तक पढ़ने की सलाह दूँगा जिसका कोई अपना या अपनी चिंता या घबराहट की बीमारी का शिकार है. यह किताब आपको यह समझने में सहायता करेगी कि वह व्यक्ति कितनी पीड़ा और कष्ट से गुजर रहा है, और उसके लिए इस सबसे जूझना कितना कठिन है.

I love you author,You really solved my 1 year old problem.I really love u.Now i dont fear of panic attack and those rubbish thoughts. I play with them instead.I see this is so easy with this book.

Barry thanks a lot for writing such a detailed book on dealing with anxiety. Actually it gives a different perspective in dealing with anxiety related issue. I read many things and practicised different things but this approach seems really great. I just read your book and have just started applying. As u said need to practice and practice these to be up there.But must read for all suffering with anxiety. A heartfull thanks to Barry for this date approach.

Help full information...... Really boosts confidence to get out of this anxiety problem......brought it 3 dayz back nd i m feeling very much my own ...... very easy methods r given nd their proper implemention can easly get u out of this itz a done deal....... so brought it nd read it u vil see the magic .............

This gives insight about anxiety issues first hand. The author himself is a success story. It explains each stage in detail and prepare you to face the issue upfront. Definately you need to practise and it will not be an easy journey. Good luck!

Where do I start, I’ve been suffering anxiety for years and I’m a ‘normal’ 30 year old mum of one. I work, i drive and do normal things. Yet panic attack’s out of nowhere. Usually starts on my way to work, the dread, fear, strange thoughts, pounding heart and wanting to turn back and get into bed and be comfortable. In the past I’ve tried drinking it away, street diazepam as the doctor won’t provide ( obviously wrong and won’t do it again but was desperate) been to see cardiologist few times and nothing wrong, beta blockers ( propanol currently) trips to a&e through the night and waking up feeling like I’m dying pacing up and down and sitting in the garden just to breathe. So I decided turning 30 i want nothing but positive vibes and WANT to control this..control not beat or push away. After reading half this book i felt like i beat the monster. I even stopped taking my beta blockers , I didn’t have another panic attack for a month. Then when i did feel one coming on I followed the book process. I know for me it won’t completely disappear but knowing i can be in control of it feels brilliant. Now on a morning i say come along little cute faced bubble and join me ( sounds crazy if not read the book right but you’ll see ) got nothing to loose, tried everything else? order it now and don’t waste another day, week or month. My goal was hitting 30, I was in Vegas celebrating and a whole 2 days ruined over NOTHING but a boring panic attack! I promised myself I’d beat it. Do the same, it’s nearly Christmas, New year, any excuse just try it and i hope it works for you too!!! It’s just a state a mind!

Alright, so I'm finally starting to come out of this year long bout of anxiety and have quite a few comments, good and constructive, about this book. Please do not tune this out because I am not on the 5 star train or this being long. I hope my analysis will help you in your own journey. Here we go:---Pros---1. Simple: Presents a simple method. Notice I said simple, not easy. It will likely take time and practice. But it is easy to spot where you went wrong.2. Personable: Barry talks to you like a friend and human being deserving of respect, not as a patient or lab rat as many other books do.3. Addresses the problem: Directly addresses fear of fear and a logical way out, unlike many books and psychiatrists which will label you as lifelong disabled requiring medication and "management".4. 21st century adaptations: DARE program has apps, coaching, mindfulness meditations, social media outlets, etc.---Cons---1. Secondary Source Information: This is not a "breakthrough from outside the world of academia" and certainly not deserving of the tagline, "Every once in a while a book comes along that completely transform that field - this is that book for anxiety." Outside of Barry describing his personal experiences, literally 80% of the contest is rework from Dr. Claire Weekes' book Hope and Help for Your Nerves with vital points missing. Several sentences are copied and pasted from her book with only a word or so changed. If it wasn't for his book, I would have never found Dr. Weekes' books since she has been dead for 30 years. They are more intelligent, more practical, more thorough, more empathetic, and more genuine than Barry's DARE book, in addition to containing many vital points he did not include. It also gave me encouragement that these are real problems, not a result of counterculture of the 1970s, generation "snowflake"/millennials, social media, etc., as Hope And Help for Your Nerves was written in 1962 and describes my life to a tee.Barry's DARE approach: D - Diffuse, A - Allow, R - Run Towards, E - EngageDr. Weekes' approach in several books: Face, Accept, Float (basically Accept on steroids), Let Time Pass2. Application of DARE Approach to Outside of Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia (Fear of Fear) Not Well Defined: Barry claims the approach as written works for OCD, Social Anxiety, GAD, PTSD, Depression - whatever you have, and several reviewers including myself are scratching our heads - "huh?". It is true that Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), the foundation of the DARE book can be applied to other problems - you just have to know how. See my recommendations for books below.3. Unhealthily Negative Approach to Medication: Barry talks down medication in every reference he makes to it, from claiming it is a myth that anxiety should be medicated away, people walking around with Xanax in their pockets as a crutch, etc. As Dr. Weekes describes and Brain Lock describes (applies even if you don't have OCD), there are appropriate and inappropriate uses of medications. Long term use of benzodiazepines (Xanax, etc.) leads to addiction and long term use of SSRIs/SNRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, etc.) is like "walking a tightrope". If you aren't learning skills to cope with the anxiety, when the SSRIs/SNRIs poop out (might be 12 months, might be 12 years after starting), you will fall down. Medication only prolongs the inevitable need to learn to accept the sensations. Unfortunately many psychiatrists (including several of mine past) view it as a long term solution in the "anxiety management" model. So what is an appropriate use of medication? Brain Lock describes it best as a comparison to "water wings" when a child is learning to swim. For me and many others, the anxiety, panic, and depression is simply too overwhelming to do anything. An SSRI lifted me up and made SO MUCH EASIER to be able to apply the DARE approach. Just like "water wings" for swimming in which air can be let out over time to lessen the floatation effect, the medication dose can be decreased SLOWLY. Brain Lock author said that most people he treated for OCD eventually require a low dosage or no medication. Given that OCD is much more biological in nature than any other anxiety/depression disorder, that is highly highly encouraging that folks with other issues can do it too.4. Barry's Ego Gets in the Way At Times: From the very beginning of the book he said this "journey" is "not for everyone." To his credit, there are some great chapters on not giving into shame, but what if the DARE approach isn't enough? What if you need medication? What if you need to leave your job/schooling for a while? What if you need more help than traditional outpatient can provide? I tend to think it would make Barry look bad to discuss this, as he makes the DARE process out to feel fail proof. And some people might be cured right away. I wasn't one, and struggled hard and almost threw the book in the trashcan as I withdrew into deep depression and shame feeling like a failure that the Amazon "miracle cure" DARE book on anxiety with 90% 5 stars could not cure me.5. The DARE Book Only Discusses Half of the Problem For Many People: What if your anxiety/panic started because of Insoluble Problems (bad work/home situation), Sorrow, Guilt, Disgrace? And so that is issue number one along with issue two being fear of fear. DARE will help with the fear of fear, but half of Dr. Weekes' book covers issue number one that the DARE book is missing. Also, chronic anxiety, panic, fear of fear over time fatigues the body and mind and leads to in this order: indecision, suggestibility, loss of confidence, feelings of personality disintegration, feelings of unreality, obsession, depression/apathy. I myself got all the way to depression/apathy and could felt like I couldn't keep winding myself to do the DARE approach. DARE, Dr. Weekes' book and short term medication helped me power through the depression.6. Encourages Engaging in Activities Too Aggressively: Step E of DARE is Engage which means fill yourself with activities. So here I was rushing here, rushing there, trying to occupy every second of my time, doing relaxation exercises, physical exercises, doing mindfulness exercises 3 times a day, visit this therapist, visit that therapist, in order to be healed quickly. That only accelerated my decline into Depression/Apathy. I was spent. And I didn't know what was wrong with me. You have to do all this in moderation. Float along with it, accept things for how they are. Do occupation only in your capacity, even if it means leaving work/school for a little while. I felt so much better after giving myself permission to sleep more, feel bad, be anxious, etc.---Advice to You from Me**---**Disclaimer: use at your own risk.1. Go SLOW and at Your Own Pace: Everyone heals differently. As Dr. Weekes said, some are cured after reading her book once and some it takes months if not years. See item 6 on cons. Do not exhaust yourself trying to be a hero. Go slow and at your own, steady pace.2. Expect to Use DARE As A Handbook: The first time you read these books it will be monumental. However, plan to keep the Kindle version on your phone or carry the book with you. At times when I get all panicky I will read some from the books and it helps almost as much as Xanax.3. If You Need More Help, Admit It: Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I was so afraid to ask for more help due to the stigma and having to leave work temporally but I am soooo glad I did. Life is too short. The first step is a therapist and a psychiatrist for medication. Obviously that step doesn't require leaving work or school. The second step is Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) which is 3 days a week for 3 hours a day, which could be done with part time work or reduced hours. The third step is Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) which is 5 days a week for 6 hours a day. The fourth and final step is Inpatient Hospitalization, but honestly few anxious people need that unless they are facing drug addictions, suicidal urges, homicidal urges, etc.4. Get Your Friends/Trusted Family in the Loop: Talk to your friends and trusted family members. I withdrew from my best friends for 10 months and they thought I didn't want to be friends anymore. I finally explained to them what was going on at the same time I was seeking more help, and they were EXTREMELY supportive. Well, most of them. That's the other thing I found out. When you suffer with anything whether it be anxiety, cancer, etc., you will find out who your true friends are. The ones who didn't support me I pruned out of my life and the ones that did and I are even closer.5. Don't be Afraid/Disenchanted to Try Medication: Don't try to be a hero. If it is too much to handle with an honest effort at the DARE approach and reasonable time passing, pursue medication. You have to be functional in your work and school domains so that you can financially afford to live. I tried to be a hero and do without medication and work became too much to handle and things declined to the point where I was depressed and had to leave work to recover.6. Stay Away From Psychoanalysists….At Least Until You are Less Sensitized to Anxiety: First off, let me define a Psychoanalysist. Not all therapists are them. Psychoanalysis tries to determine causes from childhood trauma, past pains, etc. -- think laying on the couch, Freud, etc. My mom died when I was age 4. When I'm battling intense panic driven from a fear of fear and a bad work situation, do you think I want to talk about my mom dying? That made things HORRIBLE. Few people recover this way. So hold off them at least until you are less anxious. Always ask a new therapist his or her approach before visiting.7. Make the Most Out of Therapy Appointments: Therapists don’t want to admit it, but bibliotherapy (self-help through books) has a very high success rate and is CHEAP. You can buy a whole bookshelf of books for less than the price of one therapy session nowadays. So try the books first. They are written by world class authors who know more about the specific subject than most therapists do in my opinion. Therapists are good for insoluble problems and seeing things that you can't see so they still provide much value.8. Get Out of the Bad Situation if You Are Able: Wounds opened daily are too slow to heal. It's not always wise for everyone to leave work or school due to lack of organized occupation, but sometimes you have to. I was skeptical but it helped me so much to heal before going back. Just know a few things. Everyone says "oh you are protected for having a disability", etc. What does that mean? Look into your company HR policies as well as federal/state/local governmental regulations about what your rights are in the workplace. They can give you "reasonable accommodations" but they do not have to put up with a performance decline. If your performance is failing, look into FMLA and short term disability. FMLA guarantees you 3 months off unpaid protected per year in the US, and the STD makes it paid. Also -- YOUR BOSS IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. I don't care what kind of mental health support HR propaganda your company has. I don't care how kind and considerate your boss seems, willing to meet you outside work for coffee/beer. Often times they do this to get more information out of you, which you are likely to give it not careful in your vulnerable state. Happened to me. The truth is they have to make business decisions based on your performance. Discrimination is not always easy to prove. You only tell them the minimum information needed per regulations and to cool their nerves about your behavior. And document EVERYTHING, all conversations, all harassment if any exists by e-mail and BCC your personal e-mail. Most therapists I've encountered in private practice have never worked for a typical job or corporation and are very disconnected with how to handle HR, etc. So take their word with a grain of salt.9. You Will Come Out of This at the Other End: This stuff always passes. I felt horribly helpless and feel so much better now. You can do it if I can do it.10. Be Humble and Kind: Everyone heals at their own rate. Some are unresponsive to medications and suffer hard for a very long time. I had a bout of anxiety in 2008 that I resolved quickly (nowhere near as severe as today). For years, I had little patience for people with anxiety or other ailments and just thought "it's easy…go read this book and take this pill." Then I struggled hard this past year. My anxiety turned me from a very uptight, cut throat, intolerant person to a person filled with kindness and compassion. Realize that sometimes good people struggle and need a chance to get back up again.---Useful Books That Helped Me---Recommended reading in this order:1. DARE by Barry McDonagh. Duh.2. Hope and Help for Your Nerves (UK edition - Self-Help for Your Nerves) by Dr. Claire Weekes. The staple that started it all.3. The Mindful Way Through Depression by Mark Williams and John Teasdale. Applies just as well to anxiety. Gives you an understanding of how the method behind DARE/Dr. Weekes' books can be applied to other issues besides fear of fear.4. Essential Help for Your Nerves (2 books in one - More Help for Your Nerves and Peace From Nervous Suffering) by Dr. Claire Weekes. Needs to be read after Book 1, but contains more and updated information.5. If you suffer from Agoraphobia (fear of places/situations where attacks have occurred), read Simple Effective Treatment of Agoraphobia by Dr. Claire Weekes. Needs to be read after Book 1, but contains more and updated information.6. If you suffer from OCD, read Brain Lock by Dr. Jeffery M. Schwartz. Gives you an understanding of how the method behind DARE/Dr. Weekes' books can be applied to OCD.7. If you suffer from Depression, read The Depression Cure by Stephen S. Ilardi. Non medication treatments for depression and anxiety. However, GO SLOW AND AT YOUR OWN PACE.Good luck, you can do it!

I cant believe how quickly weeks I've managed to do the things in life I used to live and enjoy I've been stuck in a vicious circle of anxiety and panic attacks for 8 years spent thousands on all types of therapy all it was doing was making the anxiety in me stronger your dare method in the space of 2 weeks has let me be 70% of my old care free happy confident self I'm crying as I write this I feel as if your words have just freed me from an eight year ordeal of constant anxiety and panic attacks everyday I do something new another activity out of this comfort zone that never really existed I created through fear I tell myself I love the anxiety feelings I plead with it for more I let it flood me I dont run I control it I even mock it 8 years of my life I've lost I've been trapped in two weeks Barry you gave me the tools to set me free I can never repay you for getting my life back I want you to know how much this means to me I'm forever grateful so many people can be fixed with your help THANK YOU

I'm in my early 30's and have had general anxiety since an out of the blue panic attack when I was 17. The anxiety comes and goes and generally relates to certain situations but can come on when I'm just relaxing, even though I'm not anxious in myself. For example a big one for me is pins & needles in my hands/face, visual disturbances, random nerve pains, hot flushes and raised heart rate.It's annoying and can cause me to obsess over it (it grabs my attention) but due to having the original massive panic attack I could at least relate and prevent myself getting that far. However, I finally decided to try to nip the rest of it in the bud. I went on an amazing road trip with some good friends and while sat in the car my arms felt weak with pins & needles and I couldn't catch my breath properly. Even though I was having a great time and had no reservations about the situation or the destination, the anxiety just wouldn't let go and sapped my mood.So far so good. The intro to the book really puts you at ease, ensures you understand that you aren't unique and that this can go away. I have to admit I got a little emotional reading the first chapters, I could immediately feel a sense of relief and it hit home just how much this had been affecting me. I'd been stuck in limbo, half way between panic and calm.The book describes so many different anxiety symptoms and how to go about getting relief for them. The Dare technique makes logical sense and allows you to face off with your feelings. I already feel relief, my symptoms are less frequent. For the first time in years they went away long enough for me to suddenly notice they were gone. They aren't yet gone forever, I need to accept the symptoms are no longer a thing. But, I can already feel this working and I fully believe the claims the book is making.

I’ve had anxiety on and off now for just over 15 years starting when I was a teenager and tried various books, treatments & medication with not much success. The approach in this book is the first one that has actually worked for me and changed how I respond to the anxious thoughts, which iv been getting wrong all this time! The anxiety is still there but not as intense and I feel less bothered by the thoughts. Couldn’t recommend this book enough!