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Anxious Man
"So truthful, bold, clear, candid and convincing that I read it in one breathless sitting" Stephen FryOne night three years ago Josh Roberts went to a party. The next morning he awoke to discover his mind had collapsed.In a matter of days he went from being a fun loving, seemingly successful twenty-something to a hot mess of tears and nerves. Eventually he was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Since then, he's been mending his mind, rediscovering happiness and learning to live his nervous life. Anxious Man is the story of all this.Told with originality, wit and great humour, it's an essential guide for mental health and a thought-provoking exploration of the millennial condition.***************"The best book I have ever written" Josh Roberts (debut author of Anxious Man)"Yep, fine" Cali Mackrill (girlfriend of author of Anxious Man)"Have you seen my scissors?" Vicky Roberts (mother of author of Anxious Man)
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2020
19 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 17, 2020
Brilliant book- so well written, funny, personal and so refreshing to hear such an honest account of a man living with such all consuming anxiety- as a doctor I learnt so much from this book that countless textbooks, lectures from psychiatrists and placements on mental health units could never have taught me - very grateful to have read it. Highly recommend!
August 3, 2020
Anxious Man is the story of one man's journey into the terrifying world of mental illness. It is personal, no doubt comforting to some and accessible to virtually anyone able to pick up a book and read. And perhaps if I had not read a very similar book recently it would have been an even greater hit.
I won't lie, I found it difficult upon reading this not to compare it to Matt Haig's 'Notes on a nervous planet'. This reads, in many ways, like the books younger brother. And it is here that both the strengths and weakness of the reading experience can be found. What separates Anxious Man from Nervous Planet is how deeply insular it is. Whilst the latter disects the problems society faces in terms of mental illness and reads as a much broader and researched piece, Anxious Man reads as one person's personal experience with mental illness. It's far more autobiographical than anything else and readers are regularly reminded that although the methods discussed were useful to the author that does not mean that they would be to others. Whilst its interesting to read I.cant help but feel a little deflated. Some of the chapters come across as quite misleading. Something that looks as though it is going to discuss the effects of working full time on anxiety is, in reality, merely a list of the authors formers jobs and an explanation as to how changing jobs led to a marked improvement in the condition.
Now, all that I have said here the author, to his credit, mentions in the book's introduction. But even so I couldn't help but feel a little surprised by quite how insular the book reads.
In addition to this it also feels as though the coping methods and useful information held for dealing with the effects of mental illness are held at the end of the books simply as a way of encouraging you to read on. I have to admit that,whilst effective, it does feel a little bit like a cheap trick given the subject matter.
The strengths within the pages lie within the brutal honestly and incredibly fun way in with the author tells his story. It is funny, accessible and simply a joy to read. It may also provide many people struggling with such conditions to seek help and provide a comfort to them during the dark days of a mental storm.
So, whilst not as strong as some other books in the genre, Anxious Man provides a refreshing and uplifting glance into the world of anxiety and mental illness. Whilst it may not be my first port of call it's open honest and humour make it both an enjoyable read and an important piece of writing.
I won't lie, I found it difficult upon reading this not to compare it to Matt Haig's 'Notes on a nervous planet'. This reads, in many ways, like the books younger brother. And it is here that both the strengths and weakness of the reading experience can be found. What separates Anxious Man from Nervous Planet is how deeply insular it is. Whilst the latter disects the problems society faces in terms of mental illness and reads as a much broader and researched piece, Anxious Man reads as one person's personal experience with mental illness. It's far more autobiographical than anything else and readers are regularly reminded that although the methods discussed were useful to the author that does not mean that they would be to others. Whilst its interesting to read I.cant help but feel a little deflated. Some of the chapters come across as quite misleading. Something that looks as though it is going to discuss the effects of working full time on anxiety is, in reality, merely a list of the authors formers jobs and an explanation as to how changing jobs led to a marked improvement in the condition.
Now, all that I have said here the author, to his credit, mentions in the book's introduction. But even so I couldn't help but feel a little surprised by quite how insular the book reads.
In addition to this it also feels as though the coping methods and useful information held for dealing with the effects of mental illness are held at the end of the books simply as a way of encouraging you to read on. I have to admit that,whilst effective, it does feel a little bit like a cheap trick given the subject matter.
The strengths within the pages lie within the brutal honestly and incredibly fun way in with the author tells his story. It is funny, accessible and simply a joy to read. It may also provide many people struggling with such conditions to seek help and provide a comfort to them during the dark days of a mental storm.
So, whilst not as strong as some other books in the genre, Anxious Man provides a refreshing and uplifting glance into the world of anxiety and mental illness. Whilst it may not be my first port of call it's open honest and humour make it both an enjoyable read and an important piece of writing.
September 11, 2020
Not to be confused with Action Man!
December 30, 2020
I’m not sure how much I share with Stephen Fry who wrote the foreword, beyond reading Anxious Man in one 3h sitting this evening and having a mental illness; I certainly don’t share his wit.
That aside, picking up Anxious Man the subtitle immediately reminded me of Matt Haig’s “Notes on a Nervous Planet”. However, as you read the book, one of the key differences is that Josh’s book is simply his story: it is unashamedly autobiographical, rather than a self-help book, or a deconstruction of how societal changes may have impacted the trajectory of mental health outcomes.
This is not a bad thing. As a fellow being with GAD, a smattering of depression and OCD (which I will now think of as the Destiny’s Child of mental health combinations, à la Josh’s description), it was lovely to read something where page after page I could think “that looks like my life. There’s someone else like me”. I think that is the power of this book. This is true to the extent that I also studied Economics and I’m also a Management Consultant - more in common with Josh Roberts than Stephen Fry, it turns out (unsurprisingly).
One of the standouts though is a passing comment on privilege. The reminder that “ill health does not discriminate” and impacts all classes and people with all manners of privilege. I sometimes struggle with this: the odd weight of privilege becomes a worry in itself. The fact that I can treat myself and positively impact my own health outcomes in a society where there is a great deal of health inequality. Is it right that I have been able to access multiple psychiatrists and psychologists, for example (somewhere between 5 and 10 before I gelled), when others can’t even be seen. This book does not aim to, nor does it answer that question, but the simple passing mention gives me relief that I’m not the only person who worries about this, and that whilst not ideal, it’s not ‘wrong’ to want to treat yourself if you can.
A minor gripe is the chapter on medication. Again whilst this book is deeply personal to Josh, the chapter on medication seems somewhat dismissive. I have tried all sorts of therapies + exercise + meditation + breaks, and still do all these things, but without my medication I do not function terribly well. Yes, I hope this changes one day, but I am one of those people (likely one of many) for whom medication has done a great deal of good. If we want to break down the stigma, then I think this could be acknowledged a little more.
Lastly, I loved the short chapters given my somewhat lousy attention span. That’s more of a style point!
Overall, any book on lived experiences helps chip away / erode mental health stigmas, and often spurs people on to seek help. This book plays a part in doing that. Thanks Josh for contributing to this.
That aside, picking up Anxious Man the subtitle immediately reminded me of Matt Haig’s “Notes on a Nervous Planet”. However, as you read the book, one of the key differences is that Josh’s book is simply his story: it is unashamedly autobiographical, rather than a self-help book, or a deconstruction of how societal changes may have impacted the trajectory of mental health outcomes.
This is not a bad thing. As a fellow being with GAD, a smattering of depression and OCD (which I will now think of as the Destiny’s Child of mental health combinations, à la Josh’s description), it was lovely to read something where page after page I could think “that looks like my life. There’s someone else like me”. I think that is the power of this book. This is true to the extent that I also studied Economics and I’m also a Management Consultant - more in common with Josh Roberts than Stephen Fry, it turns out (unsurprisingly).
One of the standouts though is a passing comment on privilege. The reminder that “ill health does not discriminate” and impacts all classes and people with all manners of privilege. I sometimes struggle with this: the odd weight of privilege becomes a worry in itself. The fact that I can treat myself and positively impact my own health outcomes in a society where there is a great deal of health inequality. Is it right that I have been able to access multiple psychiatrists and psychologists, for example (somewhere between 5 and 10 before I gelled), when others can’t even be seen. This book does not aim to, nor does it answer that question, but the simple passing mention gives me relief that I’m not the only person who worries about this, and that whilst not ideal, it’s not ‘wrong’ to want to treat yourself if you can.
A minor gripe is the chapter on medication. Again whilst this book is deeply personal to Josh, the chapter on medication seems somewhat dismissive. I have tried all sorts of therapies + exercise + meditation + breaks, and still do all these things, but without my medication I do not function terribly well. Yes, I hope this changes one day, but I am one of those people (likely one of many) for whom medication has done a great deal of good. If we want to break down the stigma, then I think this could be acknowledged a little more.
Lastly, I loved the short chapters given my somewhat lousy attention span. That’s more of a style point!
Overall, any book on lived experiences helps chip away / erode mental health stigmas, and often spurs people on to seek help. This book plays a part in doing that. Thanks Josh for contributing to this.
June 3, 2020
When Josh Roberts was younger, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, which is what drove him to write this book. I wasn't sure what to expect about it, but I found it to be a comprehensive essay about mental health issues.
I noticed that, as well as mentioning his anxiety, Josh Roberts also mentioned issues such as his obsessive compulsive disorder (for example, several rituals he has to do before going to bed) and other issues that he faced in the past, including obesity, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism, and also how he overcame his issues.
One thing that struck me a lot was his reluctance to tell others, and desire to hide what was going on inside him as much as he could, like not wanting colleagues to know that he was crying in the toilets, and this seems to be a common problem with young men. I also enjoyed reading the chapter about how he was affected by outdated "macho man" stereotypes that he felt forced to conform to when he was younger (the whole idea that men reading books was "not normal" for example).
I enjoyed this book overall, with the writer's self-deprecating humour that occasionally surfaces, and it seems like something that would be useful for sufferers of mental health disorders, and people who know others who are going through them, in knowing how to respond, and how not to. I certainly agreed with him telling people not to say things like "pull yourself together", which just seems to display a lack of empathy for the other person.
Stephen Fry was also a good choice to write the foreword to this book, because of his own well-publicised battles with bipolar disorder.
Definitely a recommended book.
I noticed that, as well as mentioning his anxiety, Josh Roberts also mentioned issues such as his obsessive compulsive disorder (for example, several rituals he has to do before going to bed) and other issues that he faced in the past, including obesity, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism, and also how he overcame his issues.
One thing that struck me a lot was his reluctance to tell others, and desire to hide what was going on inside him as much as he could, like not wanting colleagues to know that he was crying in the toilets, and this seems to be a common problem with young men. I also enjoyed reading the chapter about how he was affected by outdated "macho man" stereotypes that he felt forced to conform to when he was younger (the whole idea that men reading books was "not normal" for example).
I enjoyed this book overall, with the writer's self-deprecating humour that occasionally surfaces, and it seems like something that would be useful for sufferers of mental health disorders, and people who know others who are going through them, in knowing how to respond, and how not to. I certainly agreed with him telling people not to say things like "pull yourself together", which just seems to display a lack of empathy for the other person.
Stephen Fry was also a good choice to write the foreword to this book, because of his own well-publicised battles with bipolar disorder.
Definitely a recommended book.
May 12, 2022
A really good read about the authors trip through everyday guy to an anxious wreck. I think what I like most about this book, is firstly how easy it was to read and take in, but also how it represents anxiety and particularly how GAD can become part of your life, and be quite frankly devasting to those people who have lived previously without it. Everyone with GAD has their own particular symptoms and unfortunate journey and reading this story felt reassuring and comical because at times you just have to laugh at the processes of thought your brain can go through. I felt like the author explained his own background well and obvious privilege which a lot of other people do not have and so the book never feels preachy or self important when talking about mental health. I didn't really learn anything new from this book (mostly because when you have dealt with anxiety you tend to try to understand anything and everything just to figure it all out). With that being said I think the point of this book is to spread awareness about an issue that not many people fully understand. I think it is part self help book and part autobiography because again, everyone has their own individual hardships with GAD and mental health in general. I would recommend it to someone as a pick me up to those who have been through mental health issues for a while or maybe have had boughts of them throughout their lives.
March 13, 2023
Man has a panic attack, writes a book about it. I imagine it could be useful or interesting if you have never come across the concept of mental illness before, although in that case I would recommend skipping the chapter called "the drugs don't work" (the author admits he has never actually tried any). I don't know if I'll read the last 10% of the book, nothing in it so far has given me the motivation to (I've been reading this for months).
Edit: I read the last 10%, which randomly descends into a story of how he wore down his now-wife by repeatedly following her everywhere and complains about the money he spent. There is nothing novel or interesting about this book.
Edit: I read the last 10%, which randomly descends into a story of how he wore down his now-wife by repeatedly following her everywhere and complains about the money he spent. There is nothing novel or interesting about this book.
January 13, 2021
Absolutely amazing and insightful!!
My girlfriend bought it for me a few months back, and then life got in my way (also a global pandemic). I just want to say, thank you so much for writing this, your words have made me laugh, cry and reflect on my anxieties.
You’re an amazing person for this, and I wish you all the best success with it going forward!
Just as a quick one, this is the first book I’ve properly read in years, so I also thank you for helping me get back into reading!
Cheers!!
My girlfriend bought it for me a few months back, and then life got in my way (also a global pandemic). I just want to say, thank you so much for writing this, your words have made me laugh, cry and reflect on my anxieties.
You’re an amazing person for this, and I wish you all the best success with it going forward!
Just as a quick one, this is the first book I’ve properly read in years, so I also thank you for helping me get back into reading!
Cheers!!
January 12, 2023
I may be wrong, but I think this book was written for Josh himself, more than anyone else.
I sincerely hope he's OK, and has built up the tools needed to work through the hell of anxiety and depression. But lordy, I struggled through this book.
I'm glad Josh shared his story, but there was a fair bit of meandering, and we could have really done without the political posturing / jabs.
Ultimately, the message is a good one. Get help, shop around, CBT worked for him, but maybe not everyone. It just didn't need a whole book to get to the core message.
I sincerely hope he's OK, and has built up the tools needed to work through the hell of anxiety and depression. But lordy, I struggled through this book.
I'm glad Josh shared his story, but there was a fair bit of meandering, and we could have really done without the political posturing / jabs.
Ultimately, the message is a good one. Get help, shop around, CBT worked for him, but maybe not everyone. It just didn't need a whole book to get to the core message.
June 3, 2023
A book I think everyone should read at some point, especially in today's world. Men aren't traditionally allowed space to talk about their feelings and in result they are suppressed. I think this book will allow for more empathetic connections to be made allowing people to feel safe and comfortable. 100% a book for everyone.
October 20, 2023
My cousin had this book in her room, and I decided to pick it up since I needed a good read while traveling alone in London. This was exactly the book I needed too for the trip. Reading about someone who deals with the same thing as me on a huge anxiety inducing trip really made it a lot easier to go out and about alone. I really think anyone with any form of anxiety to read this book.
April 29, 2020
**listened via audible**
Nothing new. It was ok. But i don’t know if it needed to be written. Despite it being from male perspective I could definitely relate, however I feel it was the same as other books I have read on the topic.
Nothing new. It was ok. But i don’t know if it needed to be written. Despite it being from male perspective I could definitely relate, however I feel it was the same as other books I have read on the topic.
August 13, 2020
This books does not preach or try to act as a self help book but it is still incredibly helpful. He explains anxiety, hoe he copes with it and makes some key points.
Excellent book that has (amongst other coping mechanisms) allowed me to get back into a good patch.
Excellent book that has (amongst other coping mechanisms) allowed me to get back into a good patch.
March 12, 2021
I found this a really good personal story that Josh went through from the moment his GAD started to now, three years later. It was nice to read a book by someone who could relate to others who have the same disorder.
April 28, 2020
Very practical and uses humour to engage.
May 31, 2020
Anxious me will continue to return to this, throughout my recovery and journey with therapy - I could see myself reflected at various points. Well written and funny.
November 28, 2020
Well written, witty and at times even humorous narrative. Listened as an audiobook on audible, highly recommended if you have an interest in mental health and anxiety issues.
January 8, 2021
A refreshingly honest work on a topic that needs more open discussion in our society. It's full of wit and humour. Highly recommend.
January 13, 2021
A witty and refreshing book on mental health and how it is often overlooked. The book isn't preachy or doesn't try to be a self help guide but is an extremely relatable yet light-hearted version of one man dealing with serious anxiety issues. This is an easy read and I would recommend it as it's an honest take on anxiety!
January 15, 2021
This is and will remain to be one of my favourite books
November 5, 2022
At its best when it's witty and personal. The last few chapters try to provide general wisdom and knowledge, but they feel rushed and lack some nuance.
September 17, 2023
Such an honest and well humoured insight into GAD
January 30, 2025
Sweet little memoir about living with anxiety as an adult.
September 22, 2021
Through reading this book, I realized the truth about the saying that if you do something purely individual, it somehow turns itself universal. I found myself in this book many times throughout the reading.
March 21, 2021
“Trauksme” ir vārds, kurš daudziem no mums nav vairs tikai termins psiholoģijas grāmatā, bet gan nevēlams ikdienas pavadonis.
Josh Roberts stāstījums ir kā saruna ar labu draugu - atklātu un racionāli noskaņotu cilvēku, kurš ir gatavs dalīties savā pieredzē, plecu pie pleca ikdienā sadzīvojot ar paralizējošu trauksmi un uzmācīgām domām. Ar draugu, kurš ir informēts arī par trauksmes un garīgās veselības teorētisko pusi, dažādām tās izpausmēm un nebaidās dalīties savos tumšākajos brīžos un arī - grūti nākušās uzvarās, kuras tiem sekojušas.
✨ Īpaši ieteiktu šo grāmatu izlasīt tuviniekiem un citiem draugiem, kas ikdienā dzīvo līdzās kādam, kuram harmoniski strādājošs prāts un vienkārši pārvaldāmas emocijas nav kas pilnīgi pašsaprotams tieši dēļ trauksmes destruktīvās ietekmes.
✨ Zināt vēl arī tos indivīdus, kuriem ir atbildes teju uz visiem jautājumiem un padoms ikkatram līdzcilvēkam? Tos, kuri tik vienkārši spēj novēlēt “saņemties” cilvēkiem, kuru ikdienu pavada mentālās veselības izaicinājumi? Lūk, viņiem šāds cilvēcīgi izstāstīts stāsts varētu atvērt acis uz “paralēlo realitāti”.
✨ Grāmata par spīti nopietnajai tēmai lasījās raiti, tam noteikti palīdzēja britu sausais humors, ar veselīgu devu sarkasma un pašironijas.
Josh Roberts stāstījums ir kā saruna ar labu draugu - atklātu un racionāli noskaņotu cilvēku, kurš ir gatavs dalīties savā pieredzē, plecu pie pleca ikdienā sadzīvojot ar paralizējošu trauksmi un uzmācīgām domām. Ar draugu, kurš ir informēts arī par trauksmes un garīgās veselības teorētisko pusi, dažādām tās izpausmēm un nebaidās dalīties savos tumšākajos brīžos un arī - grūti nākušās uzvarās, kuras tiem sekojušas.
✨ Īpaši ieteiktu šo grāmatu izlasīt tuviniekiem un citiem draugiem, kas ikdienā dzīvo līdzās kādam, kuram harmoniski strādājošs prāts un vienkārši pārvaldāmas emocijas nav kas pilnīgi pašsaprotams tieši dēļ trauksmes destruktīvās ietekmes.
✨ Zināt vēl arī tos indivīdus, kuriem ir atbildes teju uz visiem jautājumiem un padoms ikkatram līdzcilvēkam? Tos, kuri tik vienkārši spēj novēlēt “saņemties” cilvēkiem, kuru ikdienu pavada mentālās veselības izaicinājumi? Lūk, viņiem šāds cilvēcīgi izstāstīts stāsts varētu atvērt acis uz “paralēlo realitāti”.
✨ Grāmata par spīti nopietnajai tēmai lasījās raiti, tam noteikti palīdzēja britu sausais humors, ar veselīgu devu sarkasma un pašironijas.
September 12, 2022
A really heartfelt, honest and, at times, very funny account of one man's personal experience with mental illness. Anxious Man is more autobiographical than informative but its value is in highlighting how anxiety can affect anyone and strike at the most unexpected time. A short read but recommended!
February 28, 2024
A compelling read that certainly helped me reconsider the effects mental difficulties have on a person.
Well worth reading
Well worth reading
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