A review by gilh0_0ley
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Story About Anxiety by Sarah Wilson

reflective medium-paced

1.5

It may work for the author, but I really don't like how she talks about anxiety. I don't think the idea that there are anxious people and then there are 'life naturals' who 'get it' is at all helpful. It's also worrying that there's a section speculating that people are more creative when they stop taking their medication. There's no solid evidence that this is the case so discussing it in the way that Wilson does is honestly reckless. She also seems to have something against cognitive behavioural therapy, for some reason? Mental health is complicated and these are conversations that really need to be had with medical professionals

I have to credit her for writing so candidly about her own experiences, but that's about it. Even with my above concerns aside, the book's structure is so haphazard that it' a chaotic read.
This is not a book for a person in crisis.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness