“Stress Rescue- Manage Stress Without Meds”
Natural Coping Skills for Home & Work to
Improve Physical & Mental Health
by Panchajanya Paul, MD & Bob Kamath, MD
Reviewed by Mahadev Desai
Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 7, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1726428184
ISBN-13: 978-1726428187
The Stress Rescue book, co-authored by Dr. Paul and Dr. Kamath, is an engaging
and concise book, written in a simple, lucid, and easy to implement style with
interesting quotes, and case studies based on real encounters that Dr. Kamath
had with patients in over 30 years of clinical practice. The book also provides
many useful resources and including links to Mindfulness Meditation Courses and
books on Stress and General Health. In the book, which deals mainly with the
psychological stress, the authors draw upon their academic accomplishments, vast
experience in psychiatry, in-depth research and writing skills.
Stress levels are at an all-time high with the current global trends. In the
introduction, the authors state that ‘Stress is an inevitable part of being
alive. There is no way to obliterate all stress from life. The best we can do is
to learn how to manage stress. The book is divided into three Parts. The first
part provides a detailed outlook on the origin of stress and its various types.
The second part teaches the readers the tools of stress reduction. And the third
part explains healthy living activities to promote mental and physical
wellbeing.
The authors use the model of a balloon to the conscious mind. When there are too
many stressful emotions, they will inflate the conscious mind as air inflates a
balloon. When these painful emotions disappear, it is like releasing air from
the balloon, and the mind resumes its normal state. Stressors are of two types:
Bad events and bad problems. One must learn how to cope with these stressors
healthily by managing time, money and people. The authors recommend that instead
of bottling up one’s painful emotions it is better to express them by talking
with loved ones or by journaling and diary keeping or channelizing into positive
action by initiating or joining a crusade and volunteering for a worthy outreach
project. One should also consider seeking professional help of a psychiatrist
This informative and enlightening Guide has garnered glowing reviews.
‘Psychiatry has long been awaiting a practical manual to assist those unduly
affected by stress. Dr. Paul’s incorporation of exercise, nutrition, and good
sleep hygiene techniques is essential to the well-being of all adequately
functioning persons’, writes Atlanta’s top psychiatrist Todd Antin. ‘A handy
guide to stress management for the layperson wanting tools to understand and
cope with stress naturally as well as for psychotherapists to recommend to their
clients’, comments Berry Hensel, Ph.D ., Vice President, Clinical Services,
Circles of Care, Florida. According to Dr. Adolf Casal, the medical director of
Children’s Health Care of Atlanta- Stress Rescue is the best book for learning
natural coping skills.
Panchajanya Paul is a double Board certified-Child, Adolescent, and Adult
Psychiatrist. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic
Medicine (ABIHM). He holds faculty positions at Emory University School of
Medicine; University of Georgia & Georgia Regents University; and University of
Central Florida School of Medicine. Dr. Paul has contributed many insightful
articles on health-related topics. He lives and practices in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prabhakar’Bob’ Kamath, MD, Author of multiple books, trained at Yale University,
and has 30 years’ experience of treating thousands of patients. He retired in
2010 and lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
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Pic: Dr. Panchajanya Paul at his clinic in Atlanta |
Stress Rescue is a must-read for anyone seeking a pragmatic way to overcome
stress in one's life. Many do not bother to understand the cause of stress and
resort to drugs, alcohol, overeating, promiscuous sex, gambling, and other
unhealthy habits to relieve stress. They end up creating even more significant
problems like becoming an addict, broke, imprisoned and ruin their lives. But If
one understands what causes stress, and takes steps to cope with stress and
build stress resilience through a combination of proper balanced
diet,exercise,sports,sleep,yoga, meditation, music, socializing, reading,
travelling,hobbies,keeping a pet etc., then he or she will experience an inner
transformation, feel, empowered, and will be able to live life to the fullest.
The book is a useful addition to other Stress -related books. It will be a
valuable tool for social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and all mental
health professionals. The book is currently available on Amazon in paperback for
$ 9.99 , and on Kindle for $ 2.99 . Although various other books are available
on stress, this book is unique in that it is written for ordinary people who can
apply the coping skills themselves without the need of any medical knowledge or
medical professional. Stress Rescue is a self-help book for preventive health.
In this era, when everyone is looking for quick fixes in the form of more and
more prescription pills, this book brings a fresh perspective on the importance
and utility of natural stress management strategies. This book will help not
only those who have stress but also to others who wish to protect themselves
from any future stress. The authors also caution that in case of a severe
debilitating stress disorder, the best course is always first to seek
professional help. Even in those cases, the book will guide readers to ask the
right questions and find the right kind of support for themselves.