Communication Apprehension: Origins and Management . (2002). By Betty Horwitz. Singular Publishing Group, Thomson Learning, P.O. Box 6904, Florence, KY 41022. 196 pages, $51.95. Reviewed by Charles Ellis, Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, Charlotte, NC.
Communication Apprehension: Origins and Management is a detailed review of the often misunderstood impact anxiety has on the communication process. This book analyzes the theoretical basis of communication anxiety and methods of management. This book was written primarily for speech-language pathologists to discuss the mind-body connection and its impact on communication disorders. However, it will provide valuable information for a variety of professionals who deal with the communication process, including educators and corporate trainers. As noted in the overview, information is presented from the developmental, psychological, physiological, and management perspectives.
This resource provides the reader with a detailed review and discussion of what is commonly known as "stage fright." Chapter 1 gives the reader an introduction to communication apprehension beginning with a detailed discussion of common anxiety types, including characteristics specific to each anxiety type. This summary of these anxiety types allows the reader to evaluate the impact anxiety has on individuals with and without communication disorders. In addition, this chapter provides case examples of communication apprehension to illustrate the feelings and behaviors of the individuals suffering from these problems.
Chapter 2 discusses communication apprehension from a developmental perspective. It helps the reader to understand the bases of fear and anxiety as well as the how and why it develops. This chapter opens with a discussion of brain wiring and questions whether the brain wiring system predisposes it to fear in certain situations. As in the preceding chapter, case studies illustrate examples of unconscious fears, worry, conditioned fear, conditioned avoidance, and other causes of communication apprehension. This chapter underscores the various etiologies and multitude of factors that facilitate communication apprehension.
Chapter 3 reviews communication apprehension from a psychological perspective. This chapter provides the reader with a complex review of anxiety disorders, including diagnostic criteria and screening procedures. Treatment considerations also are discussed, which address behavioral, cognitive, and pharmacological interventions. A discussion of social phobias also is included in this chapter.
Chapter 4 analyzes the physiology and biology of stress. This chapter consists of two parts: the physiological response to stress and the prolonged consequences of the activation of stress. The autonomic, endocrine, and immune systems are discussed in regards to their role in the activation and prolonging of stress. The physiological response to stress is discussed in relationship to communication apprehension. Treatment considerations for stress are reviewed in terms of its role in communication apprehension.
The book’s final chapter provides the reader a management perspective of communication apprehension. A review of the speech production process is included as it is crucial for individuals suffering from communication apprehension to understand this process as part of the treatment plan. A discussion of an eight-week treatment plan is included in this chapter, including specific treatment techniques for communication apprehension. The chapter concludes with a review of recent advances in anxiety management.
This resource is a one-of-a-kind book discussing all aspects of what we generally know as "stage fright." This book offers detailed information, including treatment perspectives for communication disorders related to anxiety. This resource should provide professionals from a variety of disciplines a road map for management of this very unique communication disorder.
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