The End of Fear – Trauma, Vulnerability, and Panic Attack Relief

“The End of Fear” by Joe Berry is the third of a trilogy featuring psychiatrist Patrick Carnes. The first book in the trilogy, “The Panic Away,” was a highly successful debut; it earned rave reviews and set the stage for the successful second book, “The Desolate Area.” Now, Patrick Carnes has wrapped up his story and is prepping a new novel, “The End of Fear,” to be published by Random House in May 2021. In “The End of Fear,” Patrick Carnes will once again put to task on the issue of fear, this time in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to detailing the inner workings of the mind, the book will also touch on the psychological aspects of the characterizations of those with PTSD, as well as their relationship with one another. In the end, Patrick Carnes hopes to offer some help to those suffering from PTSD as well, drawing on his past experiences with those in similar situations.

The theme that runs throughout “The End of Fear” is that those who experience trauma are prone to exhibiting certain characteristics that, as humans, are instinctive. These characteristics can manifest in many different ways, but the aim of this book is to try to explain how those with PTSD can be vulnerable to fear. For example, when we are afraid, our bodies activate a set of defense mechanisms: our heart’s rate, our blood pressure skyrockets, our muscles prepare to act, and so forth. As the details of how our bodies operate vary depending on the situation, this can feel like a perfectly natural response. However, the problem is when we are afraid; this only exacerbates the symptoms of PTSD by heightening our fears to unrealistic degrees.

The crux of the matter is that those with PTSD have a tendency to lose self-awareness when confronted with fear or trauma. Because they cannot keep control of their emotional reactions, this leaves them open to fear. In essence, instead of recognizing that they are in control of their reactions, they feel vulnerable and exposed, leading to the fight reaction that actually increases their vulnerability. This is why people with PTSD are often victims of panic attacks. They do not realize that their fears are unreasonable because of their inability to understand the dynamics of their body’s fight response.