Expert advice from a neurotic shrink who's lived with it all his lifeConsultant psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross knows a lot about anxiety. Many of his patients are sufferers, which is hardly surprising, given anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, affecting up to one in four people at some point in their lives. But Mark also knows about anxiety from another perspective, because he too has suffered from anxiety all his life.In this book, the well-known author of Changing Minds, who featured on the award-winning ABC TV series of the same name, demystifies this mental illness in his trademark warm and friendly style. He looks at causes, treatments, both medical and natural, anxiety in the workplace and more, sharing his own experiences as well as stories from others.
Good read if you’re coming from a non-medical background and are looking for a good overview of anxiety (symptoms/causes/treatments) and more information regarding psychiatric/psychology services within Australia. However, I found many of the Anxiety’s content were covered during my medical studies which made it hard to keep interested. Really appreciated Dr Cross sharing his own story about anxiety.
I really appreciated this book, something about that last line about Dr Cross feeling neurotic about its reception sealed the books place in my heart as one of the most genuine pieces of work from a vulnerable professional I've read.
And in many respects the personal elements where the strongest parts of the book. Hearing about Dr Cross' experiences and the myriad of other individuals' stories was helpful both in providing advice and supporting oneself with anxiety.
Perhaps ironically the striking personal stories diminish the various factual and informative sections of the book but they provide some sensible context to the anecdotes and the book holds together well.
Amazing book that goes into depth about anxiety, not only anxiety as an illness but ways to treat it and a guide on how to navigate the mental health system. It holds such valuable information and great resources, and it is also an easy read so you will go flying through this book
Providing a very decent, Australia-centric view of anxiety, this book was long overdue. It gives a perspective on the hospital system, access to care, medication, support systems, and different manifestations of anxiety. For someone requiring a crash course in the subject, it could easily become an almanac. However, I wish it had a bit more of a focus on the systematic failures of the public psychiatric system, especially regarding children, and developed those points further. I understand it is supposed to be a hopeful book, but there’s little hope to be found there.
The focus on supportive employers, while lovely, is not the reality either. I was astonished to read the segment on the police force having seen their appalling treatment of officers with C-PTSD in other media. Again, there’s a slight ignorance of another, much sadder reality. With all that said, this is still a helpful base book with interesting information and a great starting point for those seeking help. I’m also cognisant that my gripes come from a place of a dim reality where I’ve personally seen very little in the way of success stories- so keep that in mind.
3.5⭐️ part memoir, part self-help. This was interesting but I listened to this on audio which may not have been the best. The author reads the book and does a great job but there’s nothing differentiating his reading his own experiences and those of others if you miss him saying the section title. A few times I thought I was listening to him relate his own experience when he’d say something that totally threw me off and I realised it was someone else’s experience he was recounting. This would be completely obvious in written format. A small complaint in an otherwise interesting book.
Listened to this on ABC listen app and found the audiobook to be soothing, compassionate, and clear in its depiction of anxiety. Mark doesn’t set out to delve into complex nuance of anxiety and explores anxiety with a simple and accessible approach. Ideal for the layperson who wishes to dip their toe into understanding anxiety.
Honestly not as good as I hoped it would be. It gives an overall look at anxiety rather than actually giving you ways to help it, kind of like taking everything you can research yourself and putting it into one place. I can see how this may be good for some, but it lacked any life changing information. Furthermore, it occasionally read as an autobiography of the Dr himself, and I couldn’t escape the feeling he was trying to prove his point/defending his choices. Overall, it’s a good starting book aimed at Australian audiences who have not had much exposure or done any research to Anxiety.
This is an interesting book. In some ways it seems to be an exercise in catharsis as the author writes about his own experiences with anxiety and his perception of the origin of these anxieties. On the other hand he manages to grab in a lot of his patients with their personal testimonies. (OK some may not be his patients but I must confess that I was impressed with the bravery of the individuals who wrote their own stories as case studies in the book). I've had some exposure to people and friends who suffer from anxiety and was curious about what the Psychiatrists had to say. Here I must confess to a bias. I'm just a little concerned that the same wonderful people who brought us lobotomies and shock treatment for mental illness now seem to have a lot of "real" answers....when even the author says Psychiatry’s past is peppered with great injustices. People have felt, and still feel, traumatised by the systems they’ve been subjected to. And I've read some fairly dammning criticism of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) which is pretty much used as the standard manual by much of the world. there appear to be no objective medical tests to diagnose a mental illness...they are descriptive and the decision to include them in the manual is taken by a committee (often not unanimous). So that doesn't engender confidence. Also the psychiatric drugs being prescribed in staggering amounts seem to be based on the premise that mental illness stems from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that needs to be adjusted. But there is no model of what is the "right" brain chemistry. And certainly most (or all) of the drugs being prescribed have side effects. Again the author finds himself confessing: "In my experience, anxiety is an extremely difficult illness to medicate. There are still days when I white-knuckle it through each hour, waiting for the painful panic to subside a little more.......... As we age, our nutrient, hormone and vitamin levels decrease; by mindfully adding supplements, in the right doses and in compounds that are absorbed well, we can enhance functioning and lower anxiety and stress. ..........There is a very complex chemical symphony going on in the body, and taking high doses of a chemical–‘natural’ or otherwise–can be like throwing a wrench in the works, so to speak. These days, I have discovered that lifestyle changes can be just as effective (if not more so) than any drug or supplement ". So having laid out my biases I'm willing to concede that Cross makes out a really good case for the various causes of anxiety and much of it seems to relate to early experiences. As he says, his own experiences with anxiety started at least in primary school. And he lays out a large number of stress inducing circumstances that all seem to contribute (or cause) anxiety, viz: 1. The psychological effects of bullying include anxiety, depression, sleeping problems and irritability, accompanied by physical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. 2. During my South African youth, constant scanning for probable threat was part of daily life for all citizens, and this habit may have something to do with this behaviour, 3. Intergenerational trauma is the transmission of trauma-related anxiety and other mental health issues across generations, linked to historical oppression and discrimination. This continues to be experienced in the Indigenous populations in Australia, as well as those across the world. 4. When tabloid newspapers stoke fear and intolerance towards refugees, ‘boat people’ and Muslims, it has a negative impact on both the mental health of the community, generally, whose anxiety about terrorism and ‘difference’ ramps up, and on the targets of this fear-mongering. 5. A major cause of anxiety is the ongoing intolerance and bigotry of some religious institutions. Their views on morality, and especially sexuality, have hugely negative impacts on people and cause anxiety disorders. 6. Hazing rituals at university can lead to PTSD and GAD–institutions need to step up and put a stop to these anachronistic practices 7. Work environments can be places of stress and dysfunction–not good spaces for someone with anxiety. Not feeling in control of workload or decision-making adds to the agitation. 8. Another source of workplace anxiety is insurance. We take out insurance for peace of mind, but all too often making a claim turns into a stressful process. Being made to feel you have to justify symptoms and inability to work, and having to continue to do so on an ongoing monthly basis, perpetuates a person’s experience of anxiety.
Though I must confess that I'm disappointed that there seems to be no really successful treatment. Cross says: "All too often I hear that ‘one can’t prevent mental illness’–this is not true. In all the narratives in this book, including mine, there are consistent themes. Symptoms developing in childhood, in a hostile or abusive environment, where symptoms were not adequately picked up by adults, or made worse by their attitudes or parenting styles." So this, at least is encouraging there seems to be ways that we can address the cause....but for people who are already in the thrall of anxiety and panic attacks the various treatments; drugs, cognitive behaviour therapy, diet, exercise, meditation, holidays, rest, talking cures etc.....they all seem to be temporary. Nealy all of the case studies refer to on-going issues with anxiety. They go back to work for a while but then have a relapse etc. So I find myself wondering how effective are these "cures" and, in fact, are there any real cures? And Cross himself confesses "There are still days when I white-knuckle it through each hour, waiting for the painful panic to subside a little more." My own experience with one of my staff who suffered from anxiety taught me two things. First, I had no training or expertise in dealing with the situation (though we did have access to a referral system for professional therapeutic assistance). and second, that the sufferer continued to have lapses. And yes...the workplace should be more sympathetic but try telling that to one of the work colleagues of the sick person who have to pick up all their work in their absence. It's a complex issue which organisations need to manage on an organisational scale with black-up resources etc. (none of which is cost free). Something that I don't understand is why anxiety related issues seem to be on the increase when our society seems to have opened up to LGBTQIA issues, gay marriage is allowed, we have anti bullying protocols etc in Schools and all sorts of protection against discriminatory behaviour. Is "the problem expanding to fill the space available"? Where the book really seems to come into its own is where Cross describes the formal systems that are available to help sufferers and how to negotiate these systems. I though he has done this really well ...even if he and a lot of the case studies are very critical of the systems in place (such as massive numbers of repetitive forms to fill in ......which causes anxiety in itself). Would I recommend it to an anxiety sufferer? Yes. ....thought I might have to pick my timing. Four stars from me.
There is something remarkably admirable about an accomplished professional openly sharing his most vulnerable experiences with mental illness.
As a highly respected consultant psychiatrist with over 30+ years of experience in the field, ‘Dr X’ offers his holistic clinical expertise and recounts his tumultuous journey of anxiety in this insightful and refreshingly honest book.
While some argue that a mental health professional suffering with mental illness undermines the credibility of said professional, Dr Cross’ impressive expertise coupled with his kind and emphatic demeanour—which I have had the pleasure of experiencing myself—ultimately discredits this presumption and proves that to both KNOW the science behind mental illness and to LIVE OUT out its repercussions is a powerful force.
The book is an easy yet resourceful read as Dr Cross breaks down the various underlying causes of anxiety (both the biological predispositions and environmental contributors), the different types of anxiety, the common triggers, the diverse range of available treatments (through therapy, medications or psychiatric facility admissions), and most importantly, his ongoing journey of progress and recovery through holistic treatment.
I highly recommend this book to those who wish to gain a fundamental grasp of the nature of anxiety as well as a practical understanding of treatment options from the perspective of someone who has both studied, treated and lived with anxiety.
2.5, good primer for someone wanting to understand anxiety, with first hand insight into anxiety from someone in the LGBTQIA community who also happens to be a psychiatrist. Positive recommendations for employers wanting to improve their workplaces to be more inclusive and supportive of those living with mental health disabilities.
Lost interest about 200 pages in, it wasn't particularly what I was looking for in terms of coping with anxiety and though I understood the points and agree with some of them, it was a little too political for a book on anxiety
This is a well-researched book, which delves deep into the context of anxiety and mental health treatment in Australia. Dr Cross hits the nail on the head in terms of how we need to improve quality of care, and I greatly appreciate the personal anecdotes and lived experience slant. This didn't really tell me anything new about anxiety or how to approach it for myself and my loved ones. I think the title - "Expert Advice" - led me astray a little in thinking that this would have some more techniques to try at home, as an accompaniment to treatment. I did, however, appreciate the section on yoga, meditation, etc.
I think this is a great book for anyone who is just starting out in their mental health journey, or trying to understand the journey of a loved one, particularly in Australia. It also has an important section on mental health in the workplace.
Overall, a very all-encompassing book and no doubt a hugely helpful resource for many.
I really enjoyed reading Dr. Mark Cross's advice, experience and mechanisms within the book. I listened to it via audiobook, and found it to be inciteful in aspects of anxiety, depression and some additional areas of mental health. It gave an overall understanding of what Anxiety is, potential treatment options and the types of support sytems there are available especially relevant to Australia.
This would suit someone who may be unsure of what anxiety and its associated mental ill-health concerns are, may need some information to aid in the care of someone with mental ill-health or would just like to understand the illness better. As someone who has experienced anxiety, I found myself nodding along to some of the thought processes discussed and descriptions of situations, however at other times I understood it was a delivery of information that I was also already familiar with. Overall a good general knowledge, great resources and helpful read.
Australian psychiatrist, Dr Mark Cross, details the types of clinical anxiety we suffer, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and others. He also covers treatments, including medications, psychotherapies, exercise, diet, meditation, and good sleep hygiene. This is a great book, it’s clear, comprehensive, and practical. Mark also suffers from anxiety and bravely shares his own issues, symptoms, and reactions to various treatments. Even more helpfully, there are plenty of case histories and personal accounts from others to underline and reinforce the points he makes. Anyone with anxiety issues would come away from this book knowing that anxiety issues are common and they can be treated.
Fantastic Australian centred view of anxiety. Would be a perfect read for anybody with anxiety or for someone watching a loved one go through the mental health illness. Dr. Cross gives an overview of different types of anxiety, why it might rear it’s ugly head, different coping mechanisms and tips on how to navigate accessing professional help.
I am someone who has lived with anxiety from an extremely young age however it my early twenties it became extreme. What my personal journey has taught me is to reach out for help sooner rather than later. I wish I did. There is no shame only people who want to help you.
An uneasy read. Reads like an "accidental tourist" guide into the world of anxiety. An interesting perspective from one who diagnoses, treats and is himself, a sufferer with exerts interspersed by those who are themselves inflicted by anxiety. Mark writes from a personal outlook of life as a treating doctor across three countries, hiding over the years, his own phobias and anxieties due to repressing his sexuality. Offers definitions and resources, explains the various medical systems in place and how to navigate both government and private health but on the downside, offers little advice on techniques in living and combatting anxiety.
This is very much an introductory text which unpacks 'what is anxiety?' The author provides a memoir of sorts, using the various chapters and their themes (e.g. Medication, psychotherapy, childhood anxiety) and relating it to his experience. He nicely puts in the experiences of a range of individuals who discuss how anxiety impacted their personal and professional lives. With some background in psychology and mental health, this wasn't the book for me, but would provide someone new to this area with relevant information and would be a worthwhile reference to keep on the bookshelf. If you're looking for more in-depth strategies and approaches, this isn't the book you are looking for.
I listened to the audiobook. The book was great and covered various parts necessary for anxious people, becoming more prevalent these days. It also guides the family members and friends of anxious people on how to treat them. I gave four stars: This book is a combination of the author and his patients' experiences. It was not clear when the author/narrator talked about his experience or somebody else, which made it difficult to track the story.
Great practical advice if you live in Australia. Lots of information about govt and private resources and explanations of how different forms of treatments and different medications work. I highly recommend to anyone who thinks they might have anxiety or has been recently diagnosed. Everything you want to ask your doctor but are too anxious to ask! Would be useful for friends, family members and carers also.
I always find it hard to rate non-fiction books, as although I thought the work was very informative, it was not necessarily an enjoyable read. While it may not have been what I was looking for, it's likely to be a great starting point for many Australians wanting to get help with their mental health.
I skimmed most of this and didn't read the case studies, as it wasn't really what I expected / was looking for. Would be a good resource for someone with little to no experience or understanding of anxiety, or for a family member/friend wanting to support a loved one experiencing it. In terms of advice for dealing with anxiety there isn't more depth than the obvious - seek professional help, live a healthy lifestyle, etc.
I so loved this book 📖☺️ it was so easy to read and understand and I cannot recommend it enough for me studying anxiety, for anyone who thinks they have it, anyone who does have it , family and friends have it or you just want to learn something about it and how to manage. Thank you .
It’s rare to read anything that relates to anxiety in Australia. This is a thorough and well researched exploration of the impact and cost of anxiety. It is refreshing that Dr. Mark Cross relates with brutal honesty his own battle with anxiety.
Interesting perspective on anxiety - filled with a lot of anecdotes of the author's own experiences and others. Was a relatively quick read considering the heavy subject matter - however I didn't find anything ground breaking about this recount.
On the off chance that Mark is reading this, I appreciated how clear and organised your book is whith a great balance of encouragement to seek help, acknowledgement of problems in the system, and human warmth and understanding.
This book gives us broad insights about anxiety including scientific overview, types, the journey of people with anxiety, etc. I expect to get more insight on how to cope with anxiety, but I did not get much from this book.
Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, this is such a raw, open and informative read, I would recommend to anyone to understand how anxiety infiltrates people’s lives