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Anxiety for Beginners

A Personal Investigation

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Anxiety for Beginners

By: Eleanor Morgan
Narrated by: Eleanor Morgan
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Anxiety for Beginners offers a vivid insight into the often crippling impact of anxiety disorders, a condition that is frequently invisible, shrouded in shame and misunderstood. It serves as a guide for those who live with anxiety disorders and those who live with them by proxy.

Combining her own experiences (rendered in emotive detail) with extensive research with experts (neuroscientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and fellow sufferers - including some familiar faces), Eleanor Morgan explores not just the roots of her own anxiety, but also investigates what might be contributing to so many of us suffering around the world.

Anxiety for Beginners is, at its heart, a book about acceptance, as Morgan discovers the ways in which people can live a life that is not just manageable but enjoyable, learning to accept anxiety as part of who we are rather than spending a life fighting and being ashamed of it.

 Anxiety Disorders Art & Literature Journalists, Editors & Publishers Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Health
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Critic reviews

A powerful and beautifully written account of Morgan's experiences with anxiety and depression, and a rigorously researched examination of why they happen and how they can be managed. As well as speaking to fellow sufferers, Morgan consults psychiatrists, psychologists, OCD specialists, gastroenterologists and nutritionists, and bones up on Kierkegaard, Freud and Hippocrates (the latter was the first to describe a patient with social anxiety).It is with a mixture of humanity and clear-sightedness that she analyses genetic and environmental influences, trauma, hormones, fertility, parenthood, medication, social stigma and language, all the while linking back to her own stories and those of fellow sufferers.In assuming the dual role of memoirist and investigative journalist, Morgan gradually comes to terms with her own anxiety disorder. She offers no firm answers or miracle cures, and is careful to remind us that, when it comes to mental illness, no two cases are the same. Her willingness to share what so many others strive to keep hidden, to thoroughly demystify her condition, is courageous and compelling
This fusion of memoir and scientific investigation is very accessible. . . with a generous dollop of humanity
All stars
Most relevant

If you could sum up Anxiety for Beginners in three words, what would they be?

This is truly a good introduction to the insights of anxiety, from a person with wit, personal experience and professional insight.

What did you like best about this story?

The mixture between anecdotes and scholarship and personal temper made Anxiety a pleasure.

Personal and full of insight

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Very well researched and narrated. This book would have helped me to recover much faster from my own anxiety, which I suffered, 35 years ago.

A book that helps us to understand anxiety

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This book has given me an insight in to an illness I have lived with for all my adult life but knew so little about. It has provoked an internal dialog where I have reassessed my relationship with anxiety and depression and has encouraged me to take action and reject my own denial regarding my mental health.

The books causal language makes it, Eleanor and her experience very relatable. She is unashamedly detailed - a real inspiration to anyone wishing to break down their own barriers. I am sad that I have finished it.

A must for any human - or anyone that knows one.

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Would you try another book written by Eleanor Morgan or narrated by Eleanor Morgan?

Yes I probably would, the narration is fairly good

Would you ever listen to anything by Eleanor Morgan again?

Yes I probably would, the narration is fairly good

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The book was a bit self indulgent and didn't have too much actionable, solid information about anxiety.

Was Anxiety for Beginners worth the listening time?

Overall not really.

Any additional comments?

This is more of a story of Eleanors life and experience with anxiety. It is good to see that perspective but if you are hoping for some insights into living with or dealing with anxiety then they are few and fair between.

It is more of a comfort blanket seeing someone else experiencing the same things, but actually that doesn't help anyone in the long term.

Eleanors opinions and conclusions can be summed up as:

- Take anxiety seriously, seek help
- Everyone responds to treatments (drugs, CBT, mindfulness meditation etc.) differently. Find what works for you

Apart from that you can glean some little tips and snippets of information (in my case, some insights into what OCD really is and how it manifests) but there is not much it in terms of practical information.

At times the writing feels self indulgent and unnecessary.

Overall, this is a book written more for Eleanor than the reader.

A bit too wishy washy

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I am so glad she chose to write this book. I suffer from anxiety and feel a loser. not any more, excellent research and very informative and helpful.

A wonderful gift, has made a huge difference.

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