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Panic and Anxiety Self-Help
Research suggests that nearly 20% of people with a dental phobia may suffer with another mental health condition, most commonly anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia, panic disorder, or social phobia. Below you can find links to self-help websites. It is recommended that you enlist the help of a good therapist if any condition interferes with your daily life.
Tip: If you have extreme agoraphobia and are located in the UK, you may be able to avail of "Domiciliary Dental Care Services", or NHS home treatment service. Basically, a dentist and a nurse come to your home and treat you there. Drawbacks: in some areas the Community Dental Service is so run down that it can't provide the service; depending on where you live, waiting lists can be very long; not all treatments (e. g. root treatment) can be performed in the home.
Panic and Agoraphobia are very treatable; the most effective treatment is known as CBT (short for cognitive-behavioural therapy). Getting regular exercise and relaxation methods such as yoga or progressive muscle relaxation are highly recommended to help with your recovery.
Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia and Social Phobia
I highly recommend Dave Carbonell's "Panic Attacks Workbook - A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick": probably the best panic attacks book out there. His gripping writing, sense of humour and empathy sets it apart from other panic workbooks. Moreover, it's keenly priced. Also available through Amazon. Dave also has a website at www.anxietycoach.com.
Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder Recovery - paniccure.com Written by a recovered agoraphobic, this site may not look flash but has lots of useful info.
Free Panic Attacks Course A free online panic attacks programme.
Free Therapy for Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia An interactive website, where you can get a 12 session cognitive behavioral therapy programme free. In return, your data (but not personal details) are collected for research purposes.
"Overcoming Social Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques" by Gillian Butler has been highly recommend for overcoming shyness and social phobia.
Emetophobia
The Emetophobia Recovery Pages This is a positive site about recovery from emetophobia - a phobic and intrusive fear of vomiting.
Gut Reaction An extensive emetophobia website, providing a great deal of information.
Miscellaneous Anxiety and Depression
One book which has been highly recommended on our forum is "Mind Over Mood" by Christine Padesky & Dennis Greenberger: "Although it's 50% about depression and 50% about anxiety, it shows how to examine emotions, feelings and situations and identify triggers, 'hot thoughts' and past events. Really useful book which I would recommend to anyone who has trouble identifying triggers for panic attacks and also identifying thought processes."
anxieties.com - Free self-help Free self-help courses for anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, Phobias and Social Anxieties. Also contains information on PTSD, and on the use of anxiety medications. The 8-step panic attack programme is well worth a try!
Crazy Meds Interesting, wild and occasionally whacky information on psychoactive medications. Also features "Crazy Talk - The Peer-to-Peer Forum of Fellow Nutjobs".
Dr Bob's Psychology and Mental Health Site Reader's tip: "This site/message board is a favorite of mine. Lots of consumer oriented information on psychoactive meds and mental health issues. Very supportive bunch. I've even seen dental phobia discussed a few times." If you're accessing this from work - make sure the sound is switched off!
The Depression Center An interactive website dedicated to helping those who suffer from Major Depressive Disorder. Similar sort of set-up as the Panic Center, but not as interactive. Features "The Depression Diary" (a software application that helps track your mood) and a professionally moderated online support group.
Eating Disorders
Bulimia Help is a self-help recovery website for bulimia sufferers, which also includes an online support group.
Other Self-Help
Overcome Fear of Flying It doesn't get much better than this... fantastic free self-help course created by an airline captain. Tons of interactive features. If you're scared of flying, check this out!!
Fear of Flying Courses with Virgin Atlantic If you're in the UK, these are great one-day courses to help with fear of flying. Also suitable for people with panic disorder and agoraphobia! Courses are held throughout the UK. Endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
No Smoking Day If you'd like to give up the ciggies, this site has some great tips (also in the "Stories" section). Excellent layout and easy-to-read.