Tc- Hart Fd 10209 Revised

The Anxiety Cure Running head: THEORY CRITIQUE OF THE ANXIETY CURE

Theory Critique -The Anxiety Cure by Dr. Archibald Hart LaVelle Figueroa

Liberty University Professor Dr. Glenna Dunn Coun 507 October 11, 2009

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The Anxiety Cure Abstract This book The Anxiety Cure written by Dr. Archibald Hart is considered as a self-help book. Hart offers the reader reliable information to help recognize the causes, prevention, and to cope with anxiety. Dr. Hart put in plain words how awe can cope with anxiety without necessarily using medication, and he offers a array of techniques to modify our daily behavior so we can cope with a stress and its associated conditions such as anxiety, depression that is a result of a calm, tranquil, and healthy standard of living. Hart offers explanations of how the brain’s inner workings, the body’s responses to stress, and one’s own thought patterns contribute to the anxiety felt by so many people today.

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The Anxiety Cure GRADING GUIDELINE FOR THEORY CRIT1QUES The following represents an additive template for grading. Instead of beginning with 100 and losing points for errors, you begin with a 0 and earn points for your work In determining your grade, three questions will be asked. QUESTION VALUES TOTAL 100 POINTS HOW DID IT RUN THE COURSE?

Question Value: 35 Points

Submitted with correct cover sheet and Grading Guideline for Theory Critiques pasted correctly?

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Evidence of proof reading?

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(Minimal typographical, grammatical, punctuation errors, no unnecessary pages, paragraphing/sentence structure is proper and without awkwardness, body length is not more than 4 pages)

Followed current APA Guidelines (headers, margins, spacing, numbering, font, referencing titles correctly with initials, italics, and appropriate use of lower case letters, etc.)?

Score:

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The Anxiety Cure

HOW DID IT HANDLE THE SOURCE(S)?

Question Value: 15 Points

Citations are properly referenced? (A minimum of 4 appropriate citations per author under review)

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APA Reference list?

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DOES THE WRITING HAVE FORCE?

Question Value: 50 Points

Content reveals an organized interaction that specifically addresses the assignment with clarity and coherency?

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Clear, insightful, rich interaction with subject matter?

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Conclusion reveals thoughtful summarization and application?

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Grade: ____________

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Critique of The Anxiety Cure by Dr. Archibald Hart This book The Anxiety Cure written by Dr. Archibald Hart is an excellent tool to aid those that suffer from anxiety and its derivative condition Dr. Hart cites National Institutes of Mental Health more than twenty-three million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, including panic anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, postraumaticstress disorder, phobias and generalized anxiety disorder (Hart, 1999, p 7). Dr. Hart’s aim is to provide individuals with several alternatives so they can learn how to cope with the stressors that they experience in their daily lifestyle. An analogy that he likes to use is that “(people are) designed for life at camel speed, but we’re racing like cheetahs!” (Hart, 1999) Dr. Hart believes that

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people can change their lives from “cheetah speed” (Hart, 1999, iv) and that some will be able to change without the use of psychiatric drugs and psychotherapy. In this critique I will address the Dr. Hart’s key concepts, theories, and his contributions to Christian counseling, as well as reviewing and comparing his ideas with my personal opinions. Paul says, 1 Peter 5: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you”. (I Peter 5:6-7, NIV, Kruis, 1984)

Key Concepts and theories In his book, Dr. Hart shares quite a few key concepts that he accepts as true and very vital in aiding an overstressed person to acquiring their peace mind again. He frequently says that we as human beings are simply trying to live our lives at a pace that causes unhealthy stress and anxiety (Hart, 1999). In addition Hart encourages his readers to “create a tranquil life in the midst of an anxious world” (Hart, 1999, p.4). In conjunction with this “creation,” he also recommends that we can truly benefit out of the natural tranquilizers in our own bodies and use that technique to calm and quiet ourselves (Hart, 1999). Another vital term that Hart describes is the idea that anxiety is not caused by a problem within the brain, but an absence of necessary brain neurotransmitters that he coins as happy messengers (Hart, 1999, p11). These brain chemicals are called neurotransmitters (Hart, 1999, 19). Stress has a negative effect on these chemicals, and without them, the brain does not function correctly (Hart, 1999). Finally, his “foundational” theory is the role of stress in causing anxiety (Hart, 1999, p. 5). As said by Dr. Hart, our natural tranquilizers, and leads to diseases such as “panic anxiety disorder,” a problem which he declares to be “debilitating” (Hart, 1999, p. 5). Hart claims that if a person recognizes the beginnings of panic anxiety disorder in time, then the problem can be reversed with the right

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mindset and a conscious decision to make changes in their life (1999). These changes involve slowing down the pace of one’s life and learning practical, healthy ways to deal with stress (Hart, 1999). However, if a person does not choose to change their ways, Dr. Hart warns that they may end up with a permanent anxiety disorder (Hart, 1999, p. 6). Contributions to Christian Counseling Hart has contributed a number of theories to the discipline of Christian psychology. One of the most crucial contributions, undoubtedly, is the idea that having an anxiety or panic disorder is not sinful, but simply the result of too much stress in a person’s life (Hart, 1999). In several occasions Christian therapists sustain that anxiety and depression is the major outcome of sin or at the slightest a lack of trust in Jesus. For the reason that, scores of Christians try to hide their problems with anxiety and depression until their brain is completely unbalanced (Hart, 1999). Hart argues that everyone experiences anxiety from time to time and that a panic attack can actually be a “blessing in disguise”… (Warning) the sufferer that he or she is living too fast, too hassled, and too stressed-out” (Hart, 1999, p. 5). He also explains that “hardworking, driven people,” including him, are often in denial about how close they actually are to being overtaken by panic and anxiety (Hart, 1999, p. 5). The idea that Dr. Hart poses himself as someone that could fall victim to anxiety and panic is an inspirational trade for a Christian counselor. In several occasions a Christian therapist might make their counselee be ashamed of them selves by saying that they are not praying enough or following God’s will. Hart’s down to earth acknowledgements’ that everyone is prone to experience stress can be a comfort to Christians that are suffering both from panic and the idea that God is punishing them. Critique and Comparison

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I firmly believe that ‘The Anxiety Cure’ is an outstanding book which is packed with practical information for anyone to use. I concur heartily that life can move at a fast pace, but it is our decision just how absorbed into the stressful lifestyles we get. Everyone must learn how to cope with the stressors that they experience in daily life activities, which in turn out to be a task, but it is one that is clearly worth the endeavor. I am also intrigued by the idea that anxiety is not the result of something going wrong in the brain structure, but instead is the absence of neurotransmitters or happy messengers’. In my personal opinion most antianxiety and antidepressants principal aim to is to treat what is currently in the brain, not what is missing from the brain. However, I also agree with Hart regarding his medication are well rooted. I feel that Chapter Six, which focuses on “when and how to stop a tranquilizer,” (Hart, 1999. p 86) can be of use to a counselee that is that is under medication, because also suggests that medication can integrated to our treatment options depending on the situation. Although his major concern, is that there will always be some readers that will apply this chapter to their lifestyle and decide that they will by their own means cope with their mental illness, when indeed they cannot and must not. Luke says, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” ( Luke 6:19, NIV)

Personal Opinions I will integrate Dr. Hart’s book to my own integrative approach to mental health. His counsel is down to earth, and his center of attention on neurotransmitters and their reaction to

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stress is very helpful. I think that suggesting that our counselees read this book may help them gradually improve the way they cope with stressful events’ that they experience in their daily lives, they will also learn that their brain that is not ill, is that there is a lack of neurotransmitters or happy messengers are being suppressed, is more it is a relief for us to know this while giving them our a diagnosis in addition to medication. I undoubtedly concur with Dr. Hart’s beliefs that everyone can suffer anxiety or depression, and that in is not a key source of their worry. All Christian therapists must consider learning more about this issue as soon as possible. Almost every Christian that experiences stress or its derived conditions such as depression tends to believe that they are being punished when they are simply sick. In a nutshell, I find Dr. Hart’s a very interesting book to be read by the both parties (counselor and counselee), that are involved in the therapy session.

References

The Anxiety Cure 10 Focus On the Family (2009) Stress Widespread Anxiety. Retrieved October 2, 2009 Available online: http://www.troubledwith.com/LifePressures/A000000927.cfm? topic=life%20pressures:%20stress Hart, A.D. (1999). The anxiety cure. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Kruis , J.G. ( April 2009) Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling. 3rd ed. Baker Books pp 202- 203. Holy Bible (1984) New International Version. International Bible. Zordervan