Facing Fear

This book addresses the universal experience of fear that at times spins out of control and produces some form of anxiety disorder for almost a quarter of the population. It explains the nature and purpose of fear and describe its vital role in alerting us to aspects of our inner and outer worlds that that require our attention. It engages the reader in identifying where they experience recurrent fear and help them to recognise how avoidance of perceived threats actually limits personal freedom and growth. It presents practical, innovative exercises to help the reader understand, confront and overcome their fears. It pays particular attention to three main areas of life where fear can become problematic: fear of ourselves (fear of our inner lives, our feelings, our memories, our "dark" impulses); fear of other people (the experience of finding social encounters and performances of all kinds overwhelming and severely threatening); and fear of death (the terror of our capacity to embrace uncertainty, loss, separation, being alone).

Tony Bates' radio series on RTE, and website "Factsheets", which accompanied the series, struck a cord with more than 15,000 individuals who logged onto the website. His book will bear in mind this questioning, distressed, and oftentimes un-resourced audience, and will elaborate on the central themes explored in the radio series.