Claire Weekes Question?

[PurpleRain]

Hello everyone,
I would be really interested to hear from anyone who has read and tried Claire Weekes's advice?
Since reading her book i've been feeling alot better after taking her advice to face and accept the symptoms...i still have a long way to go though but my anxiety has definatly improved,i get setbacks but try and accept these as part of recovery!(Big Thank-You to those who recommended her books!!!)
I even made it to the shop on my own yesterday!! A first for a very long time!!
Anyway i'd love to hear from anyone who has tried/is trying her advice?

[clickaway]

Hi,

I do read Claire Weekes on and off and it gives me great comfort. I also take advice from other professionals and facing and accepting are certainly key.

But some days its just too hard face and so go at your own pace. Also take note that anxiety can be worse some days than others. On bad days, I try and chill and face what I think I can cope with. There have been times when I've only been able to do something in the evening, for example going down the corner shop, but the thing is I did it.

It takes time, but you will get there.

Take Care,


Ray
http://www.anxietyrelease.org.uk/

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
~Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers

[janie]

Yes I've had Claire Weeks book for about a week now and there isn't a day when I don't read just a little bit. Her advice is sound and I also have been benefitting - I sometimes hear myself say "Don't be frightened, your nerves are playing tricks on you".

Accepting and not fearing are very hard to do and you will have good days and bad days. I felt really positive yesterday afternoon and evening but less so today - so i'm trying to float!

Good luck xxx

[manmoor]

Hi there Im a big Claire Weekes fan her book Self Help For Your Nerves is my Bible it stays at the side of my bed 24/7 and Im also going to buy some of her other books thats been recommended to me. I think accepting whats wrong with us is the easy part but telling our body to stop the symptoms is the hardest thing.

Mandyxx

[giddy]

Hi - reading Claire Weekes was a turning point for me and started me on my recovery - her straight forward explanation of all my symptoms took away the fear - I still dip into it from time to time to reassure myself - I've got certain bits that I read over.
Love Helen

[PurpleRain]

Hi,
Thank-you all for your replies!
I agree reading her books is such a comfort and i just wish id found her work sooner.
I think it will be a long time yet before im near recovery and im still having more bad days than good but the good days are returning.I do think its after reading her work ive been able to make the progress (albeit small)i have.
Made it to the shops on my own again today but now im feeling not so great but trying to relax and float etc....taking one day at a time etc.
Hopefully in time my nerves will de-sensitise.
Thank u again

Take care xx

[May Day]

I've read her book on self help for the nerves and it was a turning point for me in so much as it helped me understand anxiety better. I'd recommend it just for that alone. It also explains in very easy terms how to cope and deal with anxiety. It's the first book that i've been able to concentrate fully on and read from start to finish in a very long time.

take care

May

The brightest, sunniest day may follow the darkest, stormiest night ... enjoy the sun

[Trev]

She should have been Prime Minister!!! :D

If you like the books I'd STRONGLY suggest that you get her audio tape, but it's up to you obviously.

When you hear her voice she emphasises some of the points I'd missed and which are critical. It seems to make sense even more when she's talking and I found it great for car journeys etc. It's also good to hop from tape to book and back again.
I found that as I recovered gradually bits of the book and tape took on a whole new meaning that may not have appeared relevant earlier in the condition.

The book should be on a compulsory reading list for schools in my humble opinion.

Cheers,
Trev :D
(Claire Weekes fan in case you hadn't guessed!!!!!!)

[PurpleRain]

Thank you both!

Well she would get my vote for PM :D

Ive actually just downloaded one of her audio tapesjust havnt been able to listen to it properly yet as its half term and cant even hear myself think with the kids around let alone listen to the audio tape.lol
Im now also a huge fan of her work and hoping to build up a collection of her work.
I do believe her advice has helped me make the small steps ive been making recently. She's given me the kick start i needed and helped me to understand this anxiety and why we feel the way we do,its such a comfort.I just wish she was still around so i could thank her personnally!

Thanks again!!!

[PurpleRain]

I also wanted to say that its also finding this website that has helped me find the courage to face this anxiety and want to beat it!
All the advice and the endless support,encouragement and understanding that everyone offers is amazing!!
So Thank You for being here!! :D

[Trev]

Glad to hear you are making good progress. :D:D

It's sad that she is no longer with us but what a legacy to leave! Helping thousands, if not millions, even after you are long gone! :D I would also love to have had the opportunity to thank her personally.

I wouldn't bother with her video if you were considering it. It is expensive and is a collection of interviews she did for Pebble Mill where she treated an agoraphobic woman who had not left the house and suffered for years. She cured her of course!!! Good old Claire :D

Glad you are getting the extra support from here that is so helpful.

Cheers,
Trev :D

[PurpleRain]

Hi Trev,
Thanks again!!
I was considering getting her video but i will leave it now unless my lottery numbers come up! :D

I even made it to the cinema this evening..thanks to good old Claire! :D

Her work dosnt seem to be acknowledged by the medical industry and im surprised by this,i think if more GP's were made aware of her work and they were able to recommend her books etc to patients before nervous illness became too serious it could prevent alot of suffering. My brother who is a psychiatrist hadnt even heard of her! [:O]

Thanks again!!
Take care xx:D

[hj]

Hi,

After hearing everyones comments on Claire Weeks I want to get one of her books. I have health anxiety in particular - looking on Amazon she has done at least 3 books - which do people recommend if i am getting just one?
thanks
hj

[PurpleRain]

Hi hj,
The book that i read is called "essential help for your nerves" (it includes "peace from nervous suffering" and "more help for your nerves")
Ive heard that "self help for your nerves" is also a good read and im hoping to get this one too.

Reading this has helped me with panic and agorophobia issues but it did also help me understand how anxiety affects us physically which has given me reassurance over some health anxieties ive had,im sure youd benefit from it.

Hope she helps you as much as she's helped me!
Good Luck
Take care xx

[PurpleRain]

Also if you buy one of her books via this site

Reading for sufferers of Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Phobias and OCD. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=reading)

then proceeds go towards the running of this website!!

Take care xx

[hj]

Hi PurpleRain - thanks for the info - just ordering it now. I have to wait for my referral for cbt but want to do something positive to help me overcome this anxiety. Thanks for the tip about using the link too.

hj

[PurpleRain]

Hi hj,
Your welcome,i hope that reading her work can give you some comfort.She writes in such a way that will help you better understand anxiety and all these dreaded symptoms that come with it.Ive found that really being able to understand this illness has benefited me so much and im able to do so much more now,thanks to claire!

Good luck and good luck with your cbt too!!!!
Take care xx

[Trev]

Yeah, I always find it amazing that more people "in the industry" have not heard of Claire Weekes. She was a real pioneer, and in my opinion alot of modern works have just spruced up her stuff basically and added some self esteem and confidence bits and bobs. Her stuff was my bed rock and I find it so easy to read and it makes perfect sense.

Personally, i would say "Self Help For Your Nerves" is the better book to buy first. It takes you right through the mechanisms of nervous illness from start to end and is a perfect place to learn to understand these mechanisms in an easy to understand form.

If I remember correctly, "Essential Help......." does assume you have read the Self Help book and also includes alot of her journals and questions from people. The two books work well together.

I'd highly recommend the audio tape of "Self Help......" Put all three together and you are very well equipped in my opinion.

The video is expensive (about £35 if I remember correctly) and in my opinion is not worth getting. It was interesting to see her in the flesh but there is much more to be gained from the books and audio. It's a no brainer when you consider you could buy all for the same price as the video. The video is designed more more schools and colleges to give an insight into the illness and agoraphobia. The interviewer doesn't delve particularly deeply and it seems more aimed at enlightening those who have no concept of nervous illness to its existence.

Good luck. Hope you find her as much use as I did.

Cheers,
Trev :D

[PurpleRain]

Hi,
I had an idea today!
Im thinking of making some posters to advertise claire weekes work and pinning them up on notice boards in doctors surgeries.
Basically they would just recommend her books/tapes to people that are suffering with anxieties and panic and hopefully help some people!?
What do you think?

I hope no one thinks im getting a bit too obsessed with claire weekes. :D


I just wish id known about her work sooner its helped me so much...i guess i want to spread her words and hopefully help some others!:D

Take care xx

[W.I.F.T.S.]

I haven't read Claire Weekes yet, but I definately intend to, she seems like the number 1 authority. I think I read the back of one of her books and it said that she had horrendous agrophobia, but went from her home in Australia to America in her 80s!!!!

Ships in harbour are safe..but that's not what ships were built for.

[PurpleRain]

Hi,
I dont think claire weekes had agoraphobia herself,i think she was a gp who specialised in nervous illness. She certainly knew her stuff!!
I reckon everyone who suffers with panic/anxiety/agoraphobia should have a copy of at least one of her books!!
They should be given out free on the nhs in my opinion!!
Take care xx

[W.I.F.T.S.]

I'm positive that i read that she had agorophobia. I'll try and find it again.

Ships in harbour are safe..but that's not what ships were built for.

[PurpleRain]

Hi,
You might be right but i cant remember reading that,if i did i've forgotten which would'nt surprise me as i have a memory like a sieve! :D

She was from Australia and traveled to America (and UK) helping people in the 1980's maybe it could be that!?

If you do get one of her books i hope she helps you as much as she has helped me,reading her work has given me such comfort.

Take care xx