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purplelalaland's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Everyone's anxiety manifests differently, so I expected mileage to vary. I didn't think this book would 100% match the experience of my loved one, but I read the book with the intention of getting a better understanding of what anxiety might look like for others and any strategies that might be helpful. For the parts that didn't 100% align, I found the book to be a bit slow. Upon finishing the book, I realized that majority of the strategies that were suggested to manage anxiety were the exact same strategies that are recommended for anyone feeling an overwhelming amount of negative emotions (i.e., frustration, worry, sadness). I also found it very validating to hear that the onus really is on the anxious person to figure out how loved ones can support. It is not our responsibility to help manage someone else's anxiety.
Overall, I felt this was a helpful book to read on my journey to understanding anxiety better.
Overall, I felt this was a helpful book to read on my journey to understanding anxiety better.
leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars - This book has good nuggets that I underlined and starred. There’s things I could relate to that made me think “yes!” Maybe about 50-75 pages of useful anxiety info.
There’s also a lot of junk. A LOT. Some of it seems irresponsibly given out. She tells you a lot to get off sugar - and check out her books and program to help you, which seems disingenuous at best, slimy at worst.
I also found her really unlikeable, making the book harder to get through. It’s hard to ignore the gross privilege she has (“oh the poor African kids again”).
It is more of a memoir than an anxiety self help book. It was in need of a good editor - which is interesting because she talks about her editor as a character in the book repeatedly, so maybe she just didn’t take her editor’s advise.
I would only recommend this to critical thinkers who have experienced anxiety for a bit and can suss out the crap advice and just grab on to the meaningful bits.
Listened to half, read half.
There’s also a lot of junk. A LOT. Some of it seems irresponsibly given out. She tells you a lot to get off sugar - and check out her books and program to help you, which seems disingenuous at best, slimy at worst.
I also found her really unlikeable, making the book harder to get through. It’s hard to ignore the gross privilege she has (“oh the poor African kids again”).
It is more of a memoir than an anxiety self help book. It was in need of a good editor - which is interesting because she talks about her editor as a character in the book repeatedly, so maybe she just didn’t take her editor’s advise.
I would only recommend this to critical thinkers who have experienced anxiety for a bit and can suss out the crap advice and just grab on to the meaningful bits.
Listened to half, read half.
yearlylists's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 59%, and possibly my first 1-star review?!
I just haven’t picked this book back up. I thought it would be more about how to face your anxiety, instead it’s basically a biography about the author.. bit disappointed
I just haven’t picked this book back up. I thought it would be more about how to face your anxiety, instead it’s basically a biography about the author.. bit disappointed
ktbentsen9's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book from both a personal and professional perspective. I felt so validated and seen by the way she described her experiences. Some of the best descriptions of living with an anxious brain I’ve ever come across. And as a therapist, I align with a lot of the skills, research, and concepts she puts forth in this book. I went into this skeptical because of her “I Quit Sugar” work and some vaguely concerning remarks about vaccines...glad I put those judgements aside and read anyway. This was a big ole, “highlighted multiple pages,” “will reference again in the future,” win for me.
sheilaghs_wheels's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.75
This author understands anxiety. It was comforting to read and I felt held. It’s up there as one of (if not the best) self help book I’ve read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage
smittenibelieve's review against another edition
4.0
I wrestled with whether I liked this book or not at multiple stages of getting through it. At times I felt seen, understood and moved. Others I was just plain frustrated at what I was reading.
I want to point out that one of the things leaving a bad taste in my mouth were the references to previously being fat as this horrible thing (which… she wasn’t even. Queue massive eye roll). I didn’t know who Sarah Wilson was prior to reading this and so when I began reading the book and discovered the ‘sugar = bad’ stuff, I almost didn’t want to keep reading.
That (and some other comments here and there that I found gross) aside, I did enjoy this book and feel like I have some solid takeaways. While I didn’t always agree or understand her viewpoint, I did appreciate the vulnerability and rawness that came with sharing her experience with mental illness so candidly. It is needed.
I want to point out that one of the things leaving a bad taste in my mouth were the references to previously being fat as this horrible thing (which… she wasn’t even. Queue massive eye roll). I didn’t know who Sarah Wilson was prior to reading this and so when I began reading the book and discovered the ‘sugar = bad’ stuff, I almost didn’t want to keep reading.
That (and some other comments here and there that I found gross) aside, I did enjoy this book and feel like I have some solid takeaways. While I didn’t always agree or understand her viewpoint, I did appreciate the vulnerability and rawness that came with sharing her experience with mental illness so candidly. It is needed.
nikkidhpts's review against another edition
3.0
i have no idea anxiety books make me more anxious and i’m already anxious so i plowed through so i wouldn’t feel so anxious and i don’t remember