The Anxiety Cure 1

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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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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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? Score:

Evidence of proof reading? Score:

(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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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) Score:

APA Reference list? Score:

DOES THE WRITING HAVE FORCE? Question Value: 50 Points

Content reveals an organized interaction that specifically

addresses the assignment with clarity and coherency? Score:

Clear, insightful, rich interaction with subject matter? Score:

Conclusion reveals thoughtful summarization and application? Score:

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
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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