Someone on this board recommended this book by Claire Weekes. I read it last night and found it to be somewhat disturbing, but also somewhat of a revelation. Her description of the problem and most of the suggestions are very consistent with the MWC and other anxiety/panic self help programs. However, the setting seemed much more "institutional", as many of the people that she described had been hospitalized or were not functioning.
The one thing that really struck me was her in-depth description of the concept of "Nervous Breakdown", and the use of that term throughout the book (she mentions that the term is really not defined in medicine). For me, this was a big paradigm shift. Throughout much of my life, my greatest fear, and the source of much of my anxiety has been the fear of having a "breakdown", going crazy, being hospitalized etc. However, I have always functioned and appeared pretty "normal" to most people. I have really protected my image to the world, although inside has been a much different picture. According to her description of a breakdown (which is the cycle of fear & panic, and preoccupation with symptoms), I have been having them on and off for years. So apparently, I have been worrying, obsessing, and torturing myself over something which I have already experienced hundreds of times...and that's all there is to it. There is nothing more to the condition. I know that I have heard some of this before, but it never really sunk in.
Hi Jim, I'd like to recommend a book to you titled Mental Health Through WILL Training by Dr. Low. It is also very insightful and helpful. It was written quite awhile back also, in the 50's, but much of what is shared is invaluable even today. I have gained much insight and help from this book and thought you might also find help and hope through it. P.S. We study this book at a local Recovery group support meeting. You might also find support through this avenue, if interested www.recovery-inc.com Continue taking good care.
Stress Center Community 
