7 Panic Attack Books Albert Ellis and Experts Rely On

Albert Ellis, founder of the Albert Ellis Institute, and other experts recommend these Panic Attack books for practical relief and lasting skills.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if the key to managing panic attacks lies not in medication but in understanding your mind's response and retraining it? Panic attacks can strike unpredictably, shaking your sense of safety and control. Knowing how to respond can transform fear into empowerment, a truth many overlook.

Albert Ellis, the founder of the Albert Ellis Institute and a pivotal figure in psychotherapy, has praised When Panic Attacks for its clear, engaging approach to anxiety. His endorsement carries weight, reflecting decades spent shaping cognitive therapy methods that help people reframe distorted thoughts fueling panic.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific panic triggers, age group, or therapy preferences might consider creating a personalized Panic Attack book that builds on these insights. This bespoke approach can bridge general strategies with your unique experience for more effective progress.

Best for expert-endorsed cognitive therapy
Albert Ellis, founder of the Albert Ellis Institute and a leading figure in psychotherapy, praises this book for its clear and engaging approach to anxiety treatment. He highlights its comprehensive guidance on handling various emotional problems, not just panic attacks. Ellis’s endorsement reflects his extensive experience and suggests that this book offers practical, effective tools that can alter your understanding and management of anxiety. His recommendation underscores why you might find this book a trustworthy companion in facing your fears.

Recommended by Albert Ellis

Founder of the Albert Ellis Institute

Few truly great books on psychotherapy have been published, and this is one of them. When Panic Attacks tells you how to deal with all kinds of anxiety and with most other emotional problems. It is clearly and charmingly written. (from Amazon)

2006·464 pages·Anxiety, Panic Attack, Overcome Fear, Shyness, Cognitive Therapy

David D. Burns, MD, draws on decades of psychiatric expertise to challenge common misconceptions about anxiety, revealing how distorted thinking fuels panic attacks and fears. You’ll learn to identify eight specific cognitive distortions—like all-or-nothing thinking and fortune telling—and apply over forty techniques to dismantle these mental traps. Chapters such as "Overcome Fear" and "Shyness" offer targeted strategies for everyday struggles, making the book practical for anyone battling anxiety or panic. This isn’t about medication but empowering you to change your thought patterns, enhancing your confidence and calmness in daily life.

Author of 4+ million bestselling books
Adjunct professor at Stanford Medical School
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Elena Welsh, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced training and extensive experience treating anxiety and trauma-related conditions. Her deep clinical background and research publications underpin this workbook, which is designed to give you science-informed strategies to lessen the impact of panic attacks. Dr. Welsh’s work bridges academic rigor with practical self-help, making this book a trustworthy companion for anyone facing panic disorders.
2019·138 pages·Panic Attack, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mental Health, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Elena Welsh, PhD, draws on her clinical psychology expertise to deliver an interactive guide focused on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques tailored specifically for panic attacks. Through clear explanations of how panic affects brain and body, the workbook arms you with tools for relaxation, mindfulness, and gradual exposure to feared situations. Chapters include self-assessments and real patient anecdotes that help illustrate progress and personalize your approach. This book suits anyone grappling with panic episodes who wants to understand underlying mechanisms and develop practical coping strategies beyond medication or talk therapy.

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Best for personal mastery plans
This AI-created book on panic attack management is designed specifically based on your background and goals. You share details about your experience with anxiety and the specific subtopics you want covered, and the book is written to focus on your personal needs. By tailoring the content this way, it navigates the complex landscape of panic and anxiety with guidance that fits your unique context, helping you build practical skills and understanding that truly resonate.
2025·50-300 pages·Panic Attack, Anxiety Management, Trigger Identification, Breathing Techniques, Cognitive Recognition

This personalized book explores comprehensive panic attack management tailored to your unique experiences and goals. It examines the underlying causes of panic and anxiety, offering insights that align closely with your background and specific challenges. Through a carefully crafted synthesis of expert knowledge, it reveals techniques for recognizing triggers, calming the mind, and regaining control during episodes. The content focuses on empowering you with practical understanding and coping mechanisms that resonate with your personal journey. By addressing your distinct interests and learning needs, this tailored book provides a focused pathway through complex information, making the process of mastering panic attacks more accessible and relevant. It encourages a deeper grasp of anxiety’s mechanisms and fosters confidence in managing symptoms effectively.

Tailored Guide
Anxiety Control Techniques
3,000+ Books Created
Best for teen-focused panic strategies
Julia Strait, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist specializing in adolescent mental health. Her expertise in school psychology and trauma-informed care shapes this workbook, designed to help teens understand and manage panic attacks through evidence-based methods. Drawing from her clinical experience, she provides accessible tools that guide teens in navigating anxiety, empowering them to regain control over their lives.
2021·126 pages·Anxiety, Panic Attack, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Mindfulness

What if everything you knew about managing teen panic attacks was wrong? Julia Englund Strait, a licensed psychologist and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist, challenges conventional approaches by offering therapy-based exercises tailored specifically for teens. You’ll learn how panic affects both brain and body, and practice techniques like controlled breathing and identifying triggers that empower you to face fears directly. The workbook includes interactive prompts to help you test different coping strategies, drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and mindfulness. If you’re a teen struggling with anxiety or someone supporting one, this book offers concrete methods grounded in evidence rather than vague reassurance.

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Best for mindfulness-based coping
Lauren Maher, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, with certifications in yoga therapy and mindfulness instruction since 2001. Her extensive experience combining trauma healing modalities like EMDR with mindfulness practices informs this workbook. She designed these exercises to empower you to reduce panic attacks by connecting body and mind through accessible meditation and breathing techniques.
2022·190 pages·Anxiety, Panic Attack, Mental Health, Panic Attacks, Mindfulness

The methods Lauren Maher developed while integrating trauma therapy and yoga bring a focused, compassionate approach to managing panic attacks through mindfulness. You gain practical skills like meditation and breathing exercises tailored specifically to panic symptoms, helping reduce anxiety and increase calmness in the moment. Chapters guide you to observe panic nonjudgmentally, build self-trust, and use affirmations and journaling to reinforce progress. This workbook is especially suited if you want hands-on exercises that connect mind and body, rather than abstract theory. If you're seeking a mental health resource that combines clinical insight with mindful presence, this offers concrete tools without overwhelming complexity.

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Best for acceptance therapy methods
Ava Walters, founder of LifeZen Publications and author with a deep personal history of anxiety and burnout, channels her extensive journey through mental health struggles into this workbook. Her blend of psychotherapy insights and holistic practices offers you a compassionate guide to reclaim your mental well-being through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Walters' empathetic style creates a supportive environment for anyone ready to take control and reduce anxiety's hold.
2024·179 pages·Anxiety, Panic Attack, Stress Relief, Mindfulness, Acceptance Therapy

Drawing from her personal battle with chronic anxiety and burnout, Ava Walters crafted this workbook to offer clear, practical tools grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). You learn how anxiety rewires your brain and gain over 30 calming exercises designed to ease panic attacks and persistent worry, including mindfulness and values-based strategies. The book walks you through integrating these techniques into daily life, helping you increase psychological flexibility and regain control. If you're seeking a gentle yet structured approach to managing anxiety, this workbook provides a hands-on path, though those looking for intensive clinical treatment might need additional support.

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Best for custom panic plans
This AI-created book on panic relief is tailored to your specific experiences and goals. By sharing your background and which aspects of panic attacks you want to focus on, you receive a book that matches your needs precisely. It guides you through customized daily steps designed to reduce panic symptoms rapidly, making your learning targeted and effective. This personalized approach helps you cut through general advice and get straight to what works best for you.
2025·50-300 pages·Panic Attack, Panic Reduction, Trigger Identification, Breathing Techniques, Cognitive Shifts

This personalized book delves into a step-by-step plan designed to reduce panic symptoms rapidly over 30 days, focusing specifically on your individual triggers and experiences. It explores tailored daily exercises and coping mechanisms that align with your background and goals, helping you navigate panic attacks with clarity and confidence. By matching expert knowledge with your unique situation, it reveals practical ways to manage and lessen panic responses through a carefully crafted sequence of actions. The book covers foundational concepts like understanding panic physiology and cognitive shifts, then advances toward personalized breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and gradual exposure techniques, all adjusted to resonate with your needs. This tailored approach ensures focused learning that directly addresses your journey to relief.

Tailored Guide
Personalized Panic Relief
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for self-help anxiety management
Joshua Fletcher MSc MBACP, a UK-based psychotherapist specializing in anxiety disorders, drew from both professional expertise and personal experience to write this book. His background and media presence underscore the practical, compassionate approach he brings to helping those who struggle with panic and anxiety.
2014·131 pages·Anxiety, Panic Attack, Mental Health, Self Help, Emotional Regulation

Joshua Fletcher's expertise as a UK psychotherapist specializing in anxiety disorders informs this guide, born from his personal journey overcoming anxiety. The book breaks down the complexity of panic and anxiety into approachable concepts, offering readers tangible techniques to understand and manage symptoms like health anxiety, agoraphobia, and panic attacks. In chapters that focus on cognitive shifts and emotional regulation, you gain insight into why anxiety manifests and how to reduce its hold on your daily life. This book suits anyone grappling with panic-related fears or seeking clarity on persistent anxiety patterns, though those expecting clinical depth might find it more focused on accessible self-help strategies.

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Best for foundational anxiety insights
Dr. Hazel Claire Weekes MBE was an Australian general practitioner and a pioneer in modern anxiety treatment through cognitive therapy. Her early career as a research scientist and decades of clinical experience uniquely qualify her to write this book. Motivated by a desire to help those crippled by anxiety, she offers compassionate, step-by-step guidance to understand and overcome panic symptoms. Her work remains a foundational reference in anxiety self-help literature.
Hope and Help for Your Nerves book cover

by claire weekes··You?

183 pages·Anxiety, Stress Management, Panic Attack, Cognitive Therapy, Symptom Analysis

Dr. Claire Weekes, an Australian general practitioner and early cognitive therapy pioneer, wrote this book to share her extensive experience helping patients overcome anxiety and panic. You learn to identify and understand the physical sensations and thought patterns that fuel panic attacks, with practical guidance on gently facing fears rather than fighting them. Chapters break down symptoms like rapid heartbeat and trembling, explaining why these reactions aren’t dangerous, which can ease your immediate distress. This book suits anyone struggling with anxiety or panic who wants a clear, compassionate approach grounded in decades of clinical practice.

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Conclusion

These 7 Panic Attack books collectively emphasize understanding your mind-body connection, reshaping anxious thoughts, and practicing tailored coping strategies. If you're new to panic management, starting with When Panic Attacks offers a trusted cognitive therapy foundation. Teens and those seeking mindfulness or acceptance-based tools will find specialized guidance in the respective workbooks.

For faster implementation, pairing cognitive techniques from Dr. Elena Welsh's workbook with mindfulness exercises from Lauren Maher can deepen your resilience. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Panic Attack book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

These carefully chosen books can help you accelerate your learning journey, equipping you with skills to face panic attacks with greater confidence and calm.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with When Panic Attacks by David D. Burns, MD. Endorsed by Albert Ellis, it offers clear cognitive therapy techniques that lay a solid foundation for understanding and managing panic.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Panic Attack?

Not at all. Many like Panic Attacks Workbook for Teens and Mindfulness Workbook for Panic Attacks are designed to be accessible, offering step-by-step guidance suitable for beginners.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with cognitive approaches like When Panic Attacks, then explore mindfulness or acceptance therapies. For teens, the workbook tailored to their needs provides focused tools early on.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can start with one that fits your style—cognitive, mindfulness, or ACT therapy. Each book stands alone, but combining approaches may enhance your coping skills.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Panic Attacks by Elena Welsh, PhD, offers practical exercises and self-assessments that you can apply immediately to manage symptoms.

How can personalized Panic Attack books complement these expert recommendations?

Personalized books build on expert insights by tailoring strategies to your unique triggers, age, and goals, making the guidance more relevant and easier to apply. Learn more about creating your own Panic Attack book.

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