Product Description

A most fascinating book...provides both the professional and the patient with a means to better understand and treat (phobias).--Howard P. House, MD. University of Southern California School of Medicine

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #469679 in Books
• Published on: 1988-03-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 298 pages

Customer Reviews

The most important book on phobias and their treatment.
A lot of people suffer -- and I do mean suffer -- from one or more phobias, and a lot of techniques are offered by various therapists to treat phobias. Unfortunately, while some of these treatments may reduce phobic symptoms somewhat, relatively few phobics are actually cured. In this excellent book, Dr. Harold Levinson explains the reasons for this situation. One is that there are three different types of phobias, a fact not generally recognized. About 5% or so of phobias are caused primarily by a neurotic condition of some sort. These phobias often respond to conventional psychotherapy whereas most phobias do not. Another 5% or so of phobias are caused by a severe trauma, such as being bitten by a dog or being in a plane that almost crashes. These phobias are often helped by desensitization therapy. But if phobias that are caused primarily by neurosis or trauma account for only about 10% of all phobias, what is the primary cause of the other 90%? Dr. Levinson's brilliant discovery is that the root cause of most phobias is a disorder of the cerebellar-vestibular sustem, called in lay terminology "the inner ear." Dr. Levinson also found that inner ear disorders are the primary cause of dyslexia and that there is a very high correlation between dyslexia and phobias. About 90% of people who are phobic or dyslexic are both phobic and dylexic. Fortunately, Dr. Levinson has found that about 80% of cases of both phobias and dyslexia respond to at least one of the inner ear medications currently available, including dramamine, scopolamine, and Benadryl. Inner ear disorders are relatively easy for trained audiologists to detect and verify by the battery of tests available to them, but they seldom are detected by routine examinations made by general practitioners or even ear, nose, and throat specialists. If you suffer from phobias and/or dyslexia -- as I do -- please read this book with an open mind. It may literally change your life for the better. In my case, thorough audiological testing -- as described in this book -- revealed that I do indeed have an inner ear disorder which was not detected by routine examinations. Based on this finding, my physician tried the inner ear medications listed by Dr. Levinson and found one that has given me significant relief. Therefore, I am recommending this book from personal experience.

Phobia Free A Medical Breakthrough linking 90% Of All Phobia
I Have been phobic for the last five years, i've been hospitalised and housebound. My phobias started on a day trip in the country with what I know now as a panic attack,it was the most frightening exprience of my life as I thought I was going mad and or had a brain tumour. After psychiatry, hypnotherapy,counciling and reiki healing. After numerous amounts of medication and none to my relief,my phobias incresed and I was desperate I could see no way out of this living nightmare. I got the book and finished it in an evening it was brilliant I'am now on the medication 3 weeks and everyday I lose a phobia its a miracle and I would just like to thank Dr Harold Levinson for giving me what i can only say is my life back--

A must read for those suffering from OCD and Phobias
This is beneficial information for those suffering from OCD. Dr. Levinson's theory has led to my complete recovery. His theory attributes the disorder to a "medical" condition of the inner-ear called a cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction and is easily treated and corrected with a combination of antihistamines, antimotion-sickness, and antianxiety medications that he prescribes. Soon after starting the medication, the disorder was gone. Calmness and total control were shortly established. Prior to this were many months of unsuccessful behavioral therapy treatment with no relief occuring. Dr. Levinson's treatment doesn't just give some relief from OCD, it rids it! His book "Phobia Free" is extremely helpful and describes in depth how the cv-dysfunction is related to all anxiety. It describes why obsessive thoughts occur and how they are thoughts that are just not being properly filtered. The title of this book, "Phobia Free," is truly ! ! a perfect description of how an OCD sufferer feels after being treated by Dr. Levinson for this "medical" condition called the cv-dysfunction.