The Sydney Handbook of Anxiety Disorders: A Guide to the Symptoms, Causes and Treatments of Anxiety Disorders

This book presents a comprehensive guide to anxiety disorders, a major mental health concern in Australia. It uniquely explores a biopsychosocial model adopted by the University of Sydney.

Anxiety disorders are common psychiatric conditions with a devastating effect on quality of life that is often underestimated. Unfortunately, anxiety is as misunderstood among patients and health practitioners as it is common. While more than 14 percent of Australians exhibit symptoms of anxiety disorders, only half seek treatment. Of great concern is the fact that 40 percent of those who do seek treatment receive misguided advice.

Despite this alarming news, there is hope. The Australian mental health community, particularly the faculty of the University of Sydney, is rallying around anxiety research and clinical treatment. The Sydney Handbook of Anxiety Disorders presents the latest and most comprehensive information on the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety.

This guide clearly lays out a biopsychosocial model for understanding anxiety that involves biological activity of the brain, psychological theories on attachment, conditioning, cognition and recognition of social triggers. New and traditional psychological and pharmacological treatment options are meticulously analysed in simple language, while case studies give real-life examples of diagnosis and treatment plans.

The Sydney Handbook of Anxiety Disorders shares the experience and expertise of the best medical doctors and mental health specialists in Australia. The result is a must-read manual for anxiety sufferers and those who treat them.

Phillip Boyce is Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Discipline of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney, and Head of Perinatal Psychiatry Clinical Research Unit at Westmead Hospital. He has published more than 170 articles and frequently contributes to psychiatric textbooks. He currently serves as associate editor of Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. He served as president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) from 2003 to 2005.

Anthony Harris is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical Director at the Brain Dynamics Centre, and co-chair of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Theme at the University of Sydney. He is also President of the Schizophrenia Fellowship of New South Wales, and serves on the board of the Schizophrenia Research Institute.

Juliette Drobny is a senior clinical psychologist and Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She served as head of Anxiety Treatment and Research Unit at Westmead Hospital, and coauthored The Shyness Program, a renowned and innovative internet-based treatment for social anxiety disorder. She runs educational workshops on anxiety and mood disorders for health professionals.

Lisa Lampe is Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and a featured expert on television and radio programs about anxiety. She contributed to the widely read anxiety disorder textbook, The Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Clinician Guides and Patient Manuals. She co-created psychotherapy training modules for the RANZCP and chairs its examinations committee.

Vladan Starcevic is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Sydney, and Head of Academic Department of Psychiatry at Nepean Hospital. He has written or contributed to more than 200 book chapters and journal articles and is the author or co-editor of several books on anxiety disorders and hypochondriasis/health anxiety. He serves on the panel for the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry Task Force on Treatment Guidelines for Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders.

Richard Bryant is Director of Traumatic Stress Clinic at Brain Dynamics Centre at the University of Sydney and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales. He is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow. He has published more than 350 articles and been the recipient of multimillion-dollar research grants.