The book is part of a series on Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, which has as its focus anxiety and its treatment. We have brought together a distinguished cadre of authors with the aim of covering a broad array of topics related to anxiety disorders, ranging from clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, preclinical neuroscience, and animal models to established and innovative therapeutic approaches. The book aims at bridging these disciplines to provide an update of literature relevant to understanding anxiety, its consequences, and its management. Following is a brief overview of the chapters and their content, meant to serve as a guide to navigating the book. The ?rst section covers clinical aspects of anxiety disorders. Joe Bienvenu and colleagues provide an incisive overview of diagnostic considerations in the anxiety disorders in which they emphasize the strengths and shortcomings of our current nosologic systems. This is followed by a review and update of the epidemiology of anxiety disorders by Ron Kessler and colleagues, which provides an authoritative survey of anxiety disorder incidence, prevalence, and risk factors. This is comp- mented by a comprehensive review of the literature on disorders that co-occur with anxiety disorders by Kathleen Merikangas and Sonja Alsemgeest Swanson. Their review highlights the tremendous comorbidity that occurs not only within the anxiety disorders, but also with other mental and physical health conditions.

The book is part of a series on Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, which has as its focus anxiety and its treatment. We have brought together a distinguished cadre of authors with the aim of covering a broad array of topics related to anxiety disorders, ranging from clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, preclinical neuroscience, and animal models to established and innovative therapeutic approaches. The book aims at bridging these disciplines to provide an update of literature relevant to understanding anxiety, its consequences, and its management. Following is a brief overview of the chapters and their content, meant to serve as a guide to navigating the book. The ?rst section covers clinical aspects of anxiety disorders. Joe Bienvenu and colleagues provide an incisive overview of diagnostic considerations in the anxiety disorders in which they emphasize the strengths and shortcomings of our current nosologic systems. This is followed by a review and update of the epidemiology of anxiety disorders by Ron Kessler and colleagues, which provides an authoritative survey of anxiety disorder incidence, prevalence, and risk factors. This is comp- mented by a comprehensive review of the literature on disorders that co-occur with anxiety disorders by Kathleen Merikangas and Sonja Alsemgeest Swanson. Their review highlights the tremendous comorbidity that occurs not only within the anxiety disorders, but also with other mental and physical health conditions.

Never has our culture been more aware of personal and global health hazards, from both within and without. While most people may feel some anxiety in this regard, some have an unbearable sense of dread that prevents them from functioning.

Chronic health anxiety heightened fears of illness, disease, and death is a central feature of hypochondriasis, of course, but can also present as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, and other diagnoses. Treating Health Anxiety offers the professional reader not only an understanding of this condition, but also an easily implemented cognitive/behavioral program for reducing fear of illness, overcoming the fear of death, and getting more enjoyment from life, including:

-Step-by-step coverage of the assessment process and therapy sessions

-Patient worksheets and self-monitoring forms

-Specific guidelines for treating health anxiety in children and the elderly

-Strategies for handling impasses and setbacks

-Up-to-date guide to pharmacotherapy for health anxiety.

As media attention to health issues increases, client fears of illness won t go away any time soon. Treating Health Anxiety gives prescribing and non-prescribing clinicians (as well as the counselors and social workers who encounter the problem) the tools to reduce both the fears and the medical costs that so often accompany them."

Never has our culture been more aware of personal and global health hazards, from both within and without. While most people may feel some anxiety in this regard, some have an unbearable sense of dread that prevents them from functioning. Chronic health anxiety - heightened fears of illness, disease, and death - is a central feature of hypochondriasis, of course, but can also present as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, and other diagnoses. Treating Health Anxiety offers the professional reader not only an understanding of this condition, but also an easily implemented cognitive/behavioral program for reducing fear of illness, overcoming the fear of death, and getting more enjoyment from life, including: step-by-step coverage of the assessment process and therapy sessions; patient worksheets and self-monitoring forms; specific guidelines for treating health anxiety in children and the elderly; strategies for handling impasses and setbacks; and an up-to-date guide to pharmacotherapy for health anxiety. As media attention to health issues increases, client fears of illness won't go away any time soon. (as well as the counselors and social workers who encounter the problem) the tools to reduce both the fears and the medical costs that so often accompany them.

"I was most impressed with the completeness and ease of reading of this comprehensive resource for curious students and their teachers. From formulating the research question to publication of the outcome, this reader-friendly guide outlines the key elements needed for a successful first attempt at scientific investigation. Unlike most educational manuals, this book will never become obsolete. It belongs on the bookshelves of every residency and fellowship training director, academic scientist and clinician."

? R. BRUCE LYDIARD PHD, MD,

? BRAD RIEMANN, Centre for Study

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent of psychological disorders. A scholarly, exhaustive work, the Oxford Handbook of Anxiety and Related Disorders reviews current research and clinical developments through synthetic chapters written by experts from various fields of study and clinical backgrounds. The handbook discusses each of the main anxiety disorders, examining diagnostic criteria, prevalence rates, comorbidity, as well as clinical issues. Neurobiological and psychological approaches to understanding these disorders are presented through the examination of such topics as genetic research, neuroanatomical models, learning theories, and more. Current issues in classification and assessment are also discussed in depth and treatment approaches, both traditional and alternative, are provided along with detailed discussions of both pharmacological and psychological approaches. The handbook also introduces other anxiety-based conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, and looks at cultural issues and the impact of anxiety disorders in specific populations.