Features & Benefits

Primary Features of the Anxiety Toolbox Program Include:

WHAT IS ANXIETY? A detailed explanation of anxiety; its symptoms, pathophysiology, root causes, and how we become vulnerable.

WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS? Real case examples and descriptions of all forms of anxiety conditions, showing how anxiety can steal the joy and fulfillment out of life. Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Acute Situational Anxiety, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Agoraphobia, as well as anxiety that stems from Depression, Bipolar (Manic-Depressive Disorder) and Attention Deficit Disorder will all be presented and explained.

GOOD AND BAD ANXIETY: A breakdown of the positive and negative effects of anxiety. Anxiety is necessary for our safety and protection, and can be a stimulus to grow and achieve. But it can also become a hindrance to our success in relationships, career life, sports, and academics. We have also found that it can damage our health and make us age faster.

MEDICAL TREATMENT: A detailed explanation of recent medical advances and the latest strategies for choosing a successful medical regimen, if that is what you need. Both the “Somatic Symptom” and “Brain Function” models of treatment strategy are outlined and explained.

QUICK FIX FORMULA: This formula will help you gain quick relief from anxiety symptoms in as little as 1 to 7 days, with or without medications. Created by Dr. Gardner for his own patients, this strategy is not published anywhere else.

COMPREHENSIVE ANXIETY SCREENING TOOL (CAST)* self-test allows you to identify the anxiety conditions and disorders that you are experiencing. It is the first comprehensive self-test created to identify those who meet the criteria for Anxiety Disorders as well as a host of other conditions known to contribute to the development of anxiety.

PERSONAL ANXIETY ASSESSMENT LIST (PAAL)* to help you take inventory on your personal anxiety issues, organizing and identifying your symptoms and stressors so you can follow your improvement as you progress in the program.

PERSONAL DAILY PLANNER (PDP)* to organize your personal strategy for phasing out your fears and anxious emotions. The Planner shows you how to make the Anxiety Toolbox Program an integral part of your daily life.

THE ANXIETY TOOLBOX—a multi-compartmented program to teach you a wide variety of tools that are highly effective in controlling anxiety with or without the use of medication. Our simple, straightforward method allows you to quickly learn and incorporate these tools into your hectic daily life. The Compartments include advice, training, and useful information and resources on the many varied subjects, which are conveniently organized into toolbox “compartments”:

SELF-CARE TOOLS: Focuses on diet, exercise, personal hygiene, getting deep, restful sleep, personal organization and time management skills.

GOALS AND VALUES, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS: Here we will give you exercises to define and prioritize your goals and values. We will also examine your attitudes and beliefs about life, career, and relationships. Negative, self-defeating attitudes and beliefs will be challenged and replaced with emotionally healthy and empowering ones.

MIND-BODY TOOLS: These are tools that work through the central nervous system to trigger the relaxation response, including biofeedback, hypnotherapy, guided imagery/visualization and meditation. It also includes tools that influence the senses that are integral parts of the mind, such as Aromatherapy, Light Therapy, Music and Sound Therapy.

BODY-MIND TOOLS: These tools work through the peripheral nervous system to feed back and inhibit the anxiety centers of the central nervous system, which, in turn, elicits the relaxation response. These tools include Deep Breathing and Progressive Relaxation Exercises, Reflexology, Yoga, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, and Hydrotherapy.

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) TOOLS: Cognitive therapy begins with making corrections in our dysfunctional thought processes. Any misperceptions or misconceptions about ourselves, others, or the world around us are challenged and corrected. We explain how to stop automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and look at life in proper perspective. A key focus of CBT is learning to identify catastrophic thinking, phobic avoidance, and safety behaviors. We also emphasize and teach stress and anger management, focus on assertiveness training and training to resolve inhibitions, as well as the teaching of social skills and public speaking skills. For those with phobias, graded desensitization and extinction through real or virtual exposure to feared situations and uncomfortable sensations is a tool that reprograms the brain to respond to stressful stimuli without triggering the anxiety response. Medical treatment to speed up desensitization is now available.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY TOOLS: We will open the door to the possibilities of alternative medicine in the treatment of your anxiety. These therapies have been around for hundreds and even thousands of years, and still have validity today. Homeopathy, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Herbal and Ayurvedic remedies are looked at in this section.

ACTIVITY TOOLS: Many activities relieve anxiety and contribute to a sense of well-being. These activities distract us from anxiety by focusing on the things we love or are passionate about. Activities can improve physical health, sleep patterns and energy level while decreasing stress and providing a helpful social outlet. We will look at a variety of anxiety-busting activities that will, hopefully, stimulate your interest.

SPIRITUAL TOOLS: Focusing on our spiritual nature through meditation, prayer, and contemplation can bring a sense of inner calm. The practice of our individual beliefs strengthens our bonds with others who are supportive and with the community that we reach out to help. We will look at faith, religion, and a spiritual frame of reference to find tools that will be helpful to anyone, whether they have religious beliefs or not.

Numerous studies and vast clinical experience in the field of emotional disorders have shown that gaining control of anxiety provides the following benefits:

• Slowing of the internal and external aging process, including lower risk of stroke and heart disease
• The ability to overcome eating disorders and addictions of all kinds
• More success in romantic and long-term relationships
• Better immune system response with faster recovery from illness and improved ability to fight and defeat cancer
• Greatly enhanced performance in sports requiring calm mental focus and concentration
• Greater success and stronger leadership in business/career goals
• Improved memory and learning ability