Stress, an over booked schedule, lack of confidence and peer pressure are reasons mentioned for having anxiety attacks...after struggling with this a long time, anxiety to me (after reading this book) is basically part of your mind letting your mind run wild and thinking some of the most outrageous things all at the same time that you are thinking rational ones, and this conflicting thought process basically makes you have a panic attack or anxiety attack. This book is about perspective in that, if you have a broad enough scope when thinking about perspective, your brain can train itself not to have the same complications, therefore stopping the panic attacks. Easier said than done, but good book.