review: While this book is for people dealing with high-functioning anxiety, I think it also has application for people struggling with emotional strain due to the pandemic. If anything, I would have preferred to read a book about low-functioning anxiety. I wanted tips on how to deal with disproportionate emotional responses to minor issues and events, amongst other things. This book is largely about dealing with fear, anxiety, and panic attacks, rather than working through other emotions such as anger and sadness.
The first section, “Living & Working,” was the most helpful for me, with “Socialising” coming in a close second. The sections on “Relationships” and “Parenting” were less relevant, seeing as I don’t have a partner or children. The book’s formatting and design is beautiful, though. The book is the the equivalent of hitting a “panic button.” Each section is a decision tree, so each time you feel yourself begin to panic, you can pick up the book and work your way through the prompts in order to calm back down. It’s a brilliant concept. I don’t know how effective the prompts are, so I might have to revisit this review at a later date after trying some of them out. The book’s interior is also designed with gorgeous, soothing watercolours.
the verdict: An excellent book for working through panic attacks, but I’m still looking for a good book on managing emotional overwhelm.
★★★½☆ | 3.50 stars | Reviewed