Anxiety

Anxiety is a complex phenomenon and a central feature of many psychological problems. This new edition of Anxiety, part of the popular Clinical Psychology: A Modular Course Series, updates the remarkable developments that have occurred in the understanding of anxiety and the astonishing dissemination of effective methods of treatment. This book details the growth of positive psychology, with its emphasis on learned optimism and resilience, influencing clinical psychology and psychological therapy, and explains the new concept of prospection, a key element in positive psychology based on the human ability to imagine thoughts and images about the future. It is said that we are influenced by the past but drawn into the future, and this notion has significant implications for anxiety. The recent infusion of positivity into theorising about anxiety has introduced a welcome balance into our understanding of this phenomenon. This informative book covers the latest developments in research, therapy and theorising, containing numerous case-history illustrations about anxiety. It should appeal to practising and trainee psychologists and practitioners in related fields.

01. The Nature of Anxiety 02. Fear, Anxiety and Avoidance 03. Influences on Anxiety 04. Anxiety, Attention, Perception and Memory 05. Theories of Anxiety 06. Specific Phobias and the Conditioning Theory of Fear 07. Panic and Anxiety 08. Agoraphobia 09. Obsessions and Compulsions 10. Health Anxiety Disorders 11. Social Anxiety12. Generalised Anxiety Disorder 13. Emotional Processing Some Concluding Remarks Suggested Reading Bibliography Index

Stanley J.Rachman is a clinical researcher specialising in psychopathology and psychological therapy. He is Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. His other publications include Fear and Courage, Psychology and Medicine (with C. Philips), The Treatment of Obsessions, Fear of Contamination, The Meanings of Fear, Obsessions and Compulsions (with R. Hodgson) and The Psychological Management of Chronic Pain (with C. Philips).