This is Your Brain on Anxiety; What Happens and What Helps

by Faith G. Harper

Anxiety .... it's the worst. Choking, stifling, smothering, tingling, panicking, brain cutting out, bad decisions... You're a human being, so you know exactly what's being said here. Dr. Faith lays it all out in her five-minute therapy what anxiety IS (did you know that people wrote about it more in the 1800s than now?), what it's good for (that's right, it's actually a necessary response that helps to keep us alive in bad situations), how to know when it's gone overboard, and practical tips on how to deal with anxiety when it gets bad. This book is a lifesaver for panic attacks, breaking out of flight-or-fight-or-freeze responses, and for chronic anxiety. It's also good for folks who aren't burdened by anxiety daily but want to cope better with those tough life situations that affect us all. Read this and breathe! The original Anxiety zine became a Dr. Faith's book Unfuck Your Brain; this book version of This is Your Brain on Anxiety is greatly expanded and has about 30% new content that is different than what was in the original zine or book chapter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Psychology, Mental Health, Health, Science

65 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, ACN is a bad-ass, funny lady with a PhD. She’s a licensed professional counselor, board supervisor, certified sexologist, and applied clinical nutritionist with a private practice and consulting business in San Antonio, TX. She has been an adjunct professor and a TEDx presenter, and proudly identifies as a woman of color and uppity intersectional feminist. She is the author of the book Unf*ck Your Brain and many other popular zines and books on subjects such as anxiety, depression, and grief. She is available as a public speaker and for corporate and clinical trainings.

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anxiety is something that most of us are facing due to the pandemic and quarantine. This book helps us to survive the crisis effectively. The author tells us multiple methods to overcome anxiety. She is discussing about acute conditions, panic attacks, and chronic anxiety.

The author describes about the differences between anxiety and fear. She is also enlightening us to distinguish between anxiety and stress.

Something simple like getting some sunlight can help us a lot when we are dealing with anxiety. Ms. Harper mentions the names of some good books and movies that will help people struggling with anxiety at the end of this book.

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[Kamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

Faith Harper advertises herself as possessing a PhD. She first ought to learn how to write/speak in mixed company. I never knew it took so many "f" bombs to tell a story about anxiety, along with "b*st*rds" and "sh$t" - not much fun for listening, sorry.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

..When you look up the word anxiety, you get "the feeling of being anxious".No shit.
Most people experience anxiety before the age of 21.
Avoidance does not make it better.
Talk to people and friends with anxiety..

This is possibly one of the best book I read on anxiety, it was unapologetic and raw. It was so much profanity that made this book so memorable to me. I usually do not like books that are so raw in language if I feel that there is no purpose but this book had a good reason to be! Anxiety is something that you do not put a band aid on when it feels that you just got shot with a pistol.

I dealth with anxiety/stress as well as depression for a number of years. It is something that eats you up alive, it causes you to be indecisive as hell and you question why you are wasting your time to be excited about something only to be disappointed. Gratefully, I overcame depression years ago but anxiety is still a huge issue in my life but it is not as overwhelming with my knowledge of it now and my previous therapy I had with it.

Back to the book, the author did a terrific job pinpointing on what anxiety is and addressed the common perceptions of people that deals with it. It is less scientific but it is more persuasive,I felt like I was a friend to the author agreeing with everything that was being said. I love to hear other stories on it and loved how the author was so plain and straight to the point. I liked the topic of breathing exercises but I know that doesn’t help everyone but it helps for those that want to do it.

Amazing book, it is one of the best books you can ever read or in my case hear on anxiety and how people cope with it.

[Cameron Rehbein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this book this morning since the audiobook was only an hour. There were some helpful tips but the author tried so hard to be relatable it was distracting and cringey. I think if you know nothing at all about anxiety this is a good start but it wasn’t anything new. Also, what is the literal point of dropping f bombs every few sentences? Like just tell me how my brain works, don’t cuss me out

[Tim Littleford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some generally helpful insights and advice for understanding and working through anxiety. Really suffered from the author constantly trying to be funny.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed like an appropriate thing to listen to as we head into another week of lockdown and remote learning. This wasn't anything new, but a concise reminder of what causes anxiety and some practical strategies to combat the incursion of anxiety into our daily lives.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, zippy explanation of what anxiety is, what to do about it, and even a sample of conversation to have with someone you know who has anxiety. A very good place to start, not the place to go on depth. The informal tone won't work well for everyone, but will work very well for others: one page is probably enough to decide.

Library copy

[Melissa Layne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping for a quick informative book of the various struggles, signs or ways to manage anxiety, given we have such a mental illness crisis, and we all know and love people who struggle. It’s super basic and it was hard to feel like I was learning anything intelligent with the amount of explicits used 🙄

[Daniel Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this very short book (63 pages), Faith Harper briefly covers what anxiety is, how to tell if you have it, immediate and long-term methods for dealing with it, and how to help a friend dealing with it. I read it because I have anxiety and have spent most of my life "dealing" with it by either arranging things so that I can avoid my known triggers or somehow powering through the panic. But sometimes my triggers are unavoidable or unpredictable, and sometimes I'm not able to power through.

Since this seems to come up a lot in negative reviews of this book, I feel I should note that Harper's style is very conversational and she uses swear words several times. If you think this would bother you, you should probably avoid this book.

Anyway, I read this from start to finish today. A lot of the tips are the sorts of things you need to try out in the midst of a panic attack or over a long period of time, so it's tough for me to say how helpful they are. However, most of the listed methods for dealing with anxiety seemed simple enough to practice and try, and the book is small enough and skinny enough to fit into a purse or backback for times when you need reminders of the various tips or just reassurance that your anxiety does not make you a complete failure. Many of the tips, like deep breathing and meditation, were the sort of thing you could easily find online, but constant internet access is not guaranteed, and internet searching is not always possible or a good idea depending on the source of your anxiety and/or how anxious you currently feel.

I'm still a bit skeptical about the helpfulness of some of the more immediate tips for dealing with anxiety, but, like I said, they all sounded pretty simple and worth a shot. The ABCDE model for more long-term training seemed much more difficult. How do you deal with D (Dispute) when your fears aren't totally unjustified? I suspect I'll probably have to work on this with a friend or family member, someone who can give me a reality check when necessary or come up with answers I have trouble seeing.

Things that, as far as I can remember, this book doesn't bring up: medication and getting professional help. I suspect this ties in with the author's recognition of the ways a lack of privilege can affect anxiety. Both of those options require things like money, decent insurance, and the right services in your area. Harper mentioned early on that she's a therapist who has worked with clients who have anxiety, so there was at least a background awareness of this option, but the assumption seemed to be that, if you wanted to seek professional help and were able to, you'd already be doing so or would do so when you were ready.

All in all, this seemed like a decent anxiety self-help book. My library due date isn't for a while yet, so I'll keep it and practice some of the tips it talked about. There's also a good chance I'll buy a copy for myself. It really would fit nicely in my purse, and it's cheap.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[Perfumegirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book would give me a panic attack ~ it might have some good tips for those who are not long~sufferers of anxiety

When I look for a self-help or non-fiction read I do not expect such foul language ~ totally not necessary.


language~ strong

[Babet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toegankelijk.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was moderately okay, for the short length it does an adequate job at working through practical and biological aspects of anxiety. Could’ve done without Harper’s swearing like a sailor and talking about loving cookies throughout this, but whatever works I suppose.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The amount of profanity used in this very short book was extremely distracting and took away from me absorbing any useful information from it. Seemed like the author was trying way too hard to be relatable. The same information could have been translated in a much more effective way that could have engaged a larger audience if she didn't overdo it. The content itself was definitely not enlightening enough to make it worth the read. For a book as short as this one, she made it extremely hard to get through and that itself takes skill. Do not recommend.

[Parker Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read, which is both has positives and negatives. With its length, there’s enough material to be informative to readers, whether or not they experience anxiety. I was hoping for more, but I can’t fault the book for that. Thankfully the author has more than one book on the subject so I’m curious to read more from her.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good & quick read with some helpful coping skills. I enjoyed the insights to how the stigma around thought/emotions has changed over time, “sitting” with your anxiety, giving it a name, and some ways to be a better friend. I don’t know why there was so much swearing but overall, interesting!

[Qristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of little book I will read again and again, because I deal with anxiety and sometimes I forget what helps. I'm seriously considering buying a bunch of copies and stuffing them in all the Little Free Libraries around town.

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short and sweet. More of an intro to anxiety and how to cope with things but I've read more detailed books that provide more insight into anxiety and why it happens.
I would recommend to someone who thinks they have anxiety or know someone who does.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this all to short blurb on anxiety. I though it was written in a colloquial and humorous manner. Beware profanity for those bothered by such things. Also note the research on those who use moderate profanity, even in professional settings. The times, they are a-changing.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Anxiety is a motherfucker” I don’t need a book 📖 that is going to be all sorts of medical jargon and makes me feel like an idiot — speak to me in plain language. Also enjoy the lists of books and movies at the end.

[Elham Sarikhani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brief information on anxiety written by an author with foul mouth.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Is Your Brain on Anxiety: What Happens and What Helps by Dr. Faith G. Harper is a concise and candid guide that delves into the complexities of anxiety, offering readers both understanding and practical strategies to manage it. Drawing from her expertise as a licensed professional counselor, Harper combines scientific insights with a conversational tone, making the subject approachable for a broad audience.

Understanding Anxiety

Harper begins by demystifying anxiety, explaining its roots as a natural survival mechanism. She emphasizes that while anxiety is a normal response to stress, it can become problematic when it overwhelms our ability to function. By tracing the historical and biological underpinnings of anxiety, Harper provides readers with a foundational understanding of why we experience it and how it manifests in our daily lives.

Practical Strategies

The book is replete with actionable advice for managing anxiety. Harper offers techniques to interrupt the fight-or-flight response, such as grounding exercises and mindfulness practices. She also discusses the importance of self-awareness in recognizing anxiety triggers and developing personalized coping mechanisms. These strategies are presented in a straightforward manner, making them accessible to readers regardless of their prior knowledge of mental health practices.

Writing Style and Tone

Harper's writing is characterized by its informal and relatable style. She employs humor and colloquial language to engage readers, which can make the subject matter feel less intimidating. However, some readers may find the use of profanity and a casual tone to be distracting or less professional. Nonetheless, this approach aligns with Harper's intent to make mental health discussions more approachable and less stigmatized.

Overall Assessment

This Is Your Brain on Anxiety serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to understand and manage their anxiety. Its brevity and clarity make it an excellent starting point for those new to the topic, while the practical advice offers tangible steps for coping with anxiety symptoms. Harper's blend of scientific explanation and empathetic guidance fosters a sense of empowerment among readers.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

For readers interested in exploring the subject further, Harper's other works, such as Unf*ck Your Brain, delve deeper into mental health topics with a similar blend of humor and insight.

[Halee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick helpful read with easy to use tips on how to control your anxiety!

[Fidelis Eka Satriastanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so whatever I need to understand what the fuck is going on with me.

Flashback 2 years ago, my mother wen back and forth to the hospital for what it appeared to be either high blood sugar (she's diabetic) to low salt. Long story short, me being her impromptu caregiver had made my world turned upside down. I was diagnosed with fatique.

The doctor was not a psychiatrist but she was right. I am still dealing with fatique, when relapsed or me stressing out, I just couldn't get up from bed. I would feel tired all times.

Other thing that I had adopted : anxiety attack.

After my mother got released from the hospital, I was forcing myself to work tho I didnt know that I was tired as fuck. I have met, unfortunately, people that were not in good ways for my mental health, and ended up giving me panic attacks.

One time, I was so triggered by these people, I was almost losing it when in a book store. Lost of breathes, nearly fainted if I hadnt hold on the railing, and thought that my heart would literally exploded. I wasnt aware that it was panic attack, tho I felt that it was so weird to feel this way, cos I have never felt that way before.

Second episode, it was the hospital. Tbh, the mention of hospital, mom, and that insurance, oftentimes, send me into short of breaths....

This was anxiety attack cos upon hearing the news, I was literally motionless in bed. As if something heavy pinned me down or like trying to drag me into the depth of Earth.

I couldn't remember how to breathe... I opened my moutg cos I didnt breathe from my nose. I was in that state of demobilize for quite a while before I texted my friend and told her what happen to me.

It was like I got stuck in rubble of buildings but my fingers can still type. Only after few minutes that I can walk, tho I couldnt feel the floor and grab cold water and just breathe a bit.

That was the first and I seriously fucking hope the last attack. Cos, it scared the shits out of me. I was one with self-control but post-hospitals and caregiving, I usually have this uncontrollable panicking or just so so anxious. I was thinking of 'that was the end for me.'

That time I ended up learning more about mental health and illness. I sought help, tho a year after that attack. I tried to seek the same help, but the doctor ghosted me :(

Okay, that's long story not so short 😝

Back to the book. I fucking need it!!! It feels like a therapy session 😅 Only the doctor cursed a lot.

It's thin book but it just cut to the chase and give you tips and why we have anxiety. It sorta sums up those thick pyschilogy books!

And, the writing style is also different, apart from the cursings, it's just really simple sentences ensuring readers understand without being lectures with difficult medical terms.

I really recommend this to those who wants to know anxiety 101 with less jargons and those who wants to head-on with anxiety cos it gives lots of tips.

Hope you enjoy it and happy reading, good people!

[Angelica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not memorable. I also don’t mind swearing in books, but very excessive swearing feels like they’re trying too hard to be relatable.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The swearing took me out of this constantly. I also found a lack of depth but that was to be expected of such a short book. If profanity in a non-fiction doesn't bother you, it might be worth a try. It felt like all the cussing was a way for the author to be 'relatable' and to make the subject less dry but it didn't play out like that for me.

[Richard Cardenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how quick this read was. It’s written in a casual way that helps the reader absorb more of what they are reading. It gives a lot of helpful tips and ways to understand anxiety. I think giving it multiple reads will help discover a bit more and the length helps with the re-readable factor.

[Miri Niedrauer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is without doubt, the cringiest book I've ever read.The author drops cuss words constantly, for no other reason than shock value.

What helps? "Just breath."

Gee thanks, I definitely needed someone with 4 advanced degrees to figure that one out.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3 stars~

The 2018 humor comes out strong in this book. Faith G. Harper uses entire too many swearwords and tries her hardest to be relatable to a point where I did cringe.

Nevertheless, I did appreciate the non pretentious way she tackled the topic anxiety and the hands-on tips she gave.