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The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide: How You Can Become More Hopeful, Connected, and Happy
A warm and practical guide to coping with anxiety—and finding ways to laugh anyway.
Got anxiety? Join the club. More specifically, join the Anxiety Sisterhood. Abs and Mags, aka the Anxiety Sisters, have spent the past thirty years figuring out how to outsmart their anxiety-ridden brains, and the last five years sharing what they’ve learned with a growing online community of like-minded sufferers who are looking for ways to cope better every day.
Whether you’re looking to better understand and manage panic, worry, grief, stress, or phobias, or just want to pause the endless spin cycle in your head, you’ll find real-world, research-based techniques, exercises, and insights—without the clinical, confusing, one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t so helpful when your mind is racing, your triggers are in overdrive, and you just want to get back to feeling normal . . . ish.
Most of all, this is a handbook for fighting Shrinking World Syndrome—that isolating, lonely feeling that comes from letting your anxiety run the show. The stories and suggestions in this book will remind you that you’re not alone. You don’t have to eliminate anxiety from your life in order to feel okay . . . and, yes, even happy.
Got anxiety? Join the club. More specifically, join the Anxiety Sisterhood. Abs and Mags, aka the Anxiety Sisters, have spent the past thirty years figuring out how to outsmart their anxiety-ridden brains, and the last five years sharing what they’ve learned with a growing online community of like-minded sufferers who are looking for ways to cope better every day.
Whether you’re looking to better understand and manage panic, worry, grief, stress, or phobias, or just want to pause the endless spin cycle in your head, you’ll find real-world, research-based techniques, exercises, and insights—without the clinical, confusing, one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t so helpful when your mind is racing, your triggers are in overdrive, and you just want to get back to feeling normal . . . ish.
Most of all, this is a handbook for fighting Shrinking World Syndrome—that isolating, lonely feeling that comes from letting your anxiety run the show. The stories and suggestions in this book will remind you that you’re not alone. You don’t have to eliminate anxiety from your life in order to feel okay . . . and, yes, even happy.
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2021
67 people are currently reading
3459 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 7, 2021
I hadn't read a self-help book since the pandemic started, so decided to borrow this one after spotting it on the library's new acquisitions shelf. It's associated with 'The Anxiety Sisters', an online community that I had not heard of. The book was written in 2020 and includes a couple of off-hand references to the pandemic, but largely ignores it. This resulted in a huge amount of cognitive dissonance for me, particularly as I read a chapter on the importance of socialising, joining groups, etc. In a pandemic, really?! Unfortunately this undermined the potential helpfulness of the book for me. The pandemic has essentially vindicated, reinforced, and elaborated all my anxious thoughts, which makes everything outside my front door seem dangerous even now I'm fully vaccinated. The pandemic is definitely not over and cases are still high here on Plague Island GB, so my anxiety feels perfectly rational. I'm not excessively anxious; other people aren't anxious enough! The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide: Manage Worry, Panic, and Fear and Become Hopeful, Connected, and (Anxiously) Happy reads to me as if written either for a pre-pandemic world or an impossible post-pandemic world where covid-19 no longer exists.
Setting that aside, the book has a chatty American style that is familiar from other self-help books. It's clearly structured and includes a wide breadth of symptoms, explanations, and treatments for anxiety. I salute this extensive approach, while acknowledging the drawback that it becomes a bit overwhelming. The idea is to provide as many options as possible so everyone experiencing anxiety can find something relevant and helpful for them, which is laudable. The chapter explaining the range of anxiety symptoms is undoubtedly useful. It's interesting to me how trendy neuroscience is right now in self-help, although to its credit this book doesn't dwell exclusively on this angle. One of the strongest elements of the book was a critique of the spurious specificity of DSM anxiety diagnoses.
The advice on dealing with panic attacks and ambient anxiety was familiar to me from mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy, although those terms aren't really used. I did appreciate being reminded about varieties of deep breathing, the simplest way to calm myself that I frequently forget. There is a thorough chapter on anti-anxiety medication, with a caution against reading the sections on side effects if you are anxious about them. Of course I did anyway. The chapter on alternative treatments includes some I'd never heard of (shirodhara?) and gets a bit much. Different things will help different people, of course, but it would be helpful to have some suggested criteria for deciding what among many might be worth trying. Working your way through all of them seems both exhausting and very expensive. Nonetheless, the book's main messages about self-compassion, grounding yourself, and seeking support are sensible.
As a pre-pandemic anxiety self-help book The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide: Manage Worry, Panic, and Fear and Become Hopeful, Connected, and (Anxiously) Happy would have been pretty decent, but it's not much use to me right now. Maybe I'm just not receptive to it at the moment. One of the fun things about anxiety is the constant thought, "You need to be anxious to be safe!" I was getting better at putting that thought in perspective before 2020, whereas now I'm incapable of doing so. While some level of anxiety is definitely rational during a pandemic, judging that level correctly (whatever that means) is an incredibly difficult process. Yet one we all have to go through every day.
Setting that aside, the book has a chatty American style that is familiar from other self-help books. It's clearly structured and includes a wide breadth of symptoms, explanations, and treatments for anxiety. I salute this extensive approach, while acknowledging the drawback that it becomes a bit overwhelming. The idea is to provide as many options as possible so everyone experiencing anxiety can find something relevant and helpful for them, which is laudable. The chapter explaining the range of anxiety symptoms is undoubtedly useful. It's interesting to me how trendy neuroscience is right now in self-help, although to its credit this book doesn't dwell exclusively on this angle. One of the strongest elements of the book was a critique of the spurious specificity of DSM anxiety diagnoses.
The advice on dealing with panic attacks and ambient anxiety was familiar to me from mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy, although those terms aren't really used. I did appreciate being reminded about varieties of deep breathing, the simplest way to calm myself that I frequently forget. There is a thorough chapter on anti-anxiety medication, with a caution against reading the sections on side effects if you are anxious about them. Of course I did anyway. The chapter on alternative treatments includes some I'd never heard of (shirodhara?) and gets a bit much. Different things will help different people, of course, but it would be helpful to have some suggested criteria for deciding what among many might be worth trying. Working your way through all of them seems both exhausting and very expensive. Nonetheless, the book's main messages about self-compassion, grounding yourself, and seeking support are sensible.
As a pre-pandemic anxiety self-help book The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide: Manage Worry, Panic, and Fear and Become Hopeful, Connected, and (Anxiously) Happy would have been pretty decent, but it's not much use to me right now. Maybe I'm just not receptive to it at the moment. One of the fun things about anxiety is the constant thought, "You need to be anxious to be safe!" I was getting better at putting that thought in perspective before 2020, whereas now I'm incapable of doing so. While some level of anxiety is definitely rational during a pandemic, judging that level correctly (whatever that means) is an incredibly difficult process. Yet one we all have to go through every day.
October 9, 2024
I definitely did not use this as a replacement for finding a therapist
Also, this is a good book but most of it I already knew from my previous therapist/googling sessions, so maybe not the most advanced
Also, this is a good book but most of it I already knew from my previous therapist/googling sessions, so maybe not the most advanced
September 13, 2021
The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced anxiety. This book talks about every aspect of anxiety and the best thing is that it makes you feel like you aren't alone.
The personal stories make the book so relatable and understanding. I suffer from anxiety and I wish I could have read this book when it all started. But I am glad that it's out in the world to help so many others that are looking for help.
I have always looked to knowledge and learning when I have a fear or get anxious about something. And this is what they did. The authors make readers understand the biology behind anxiety first. Then, they delve into the different types. Every topic is covered which I appreciated. They cover symptoms, methods to help calm yourself during a panic attack, the pros and cons of medication, and self-love.
I give The Anxiety Sister's Guide 5 stars. I love that the authors provide so much help and make you feel like you aren't alone in your anxiety battles. The community and the sisterhood that these ladies bring to the book will be so helpful to so many.
The personal stories make the book so relatable and understanding. I suffer from anxiety and I wish I could have read this book when it all started. But I am glad that it's out in the world to help so many others that are looking for help.
I have always looked to knowledge and learning when I have a fear or get anxious about something. And this is what they did. The authors make readers understand the biology behind anxiety first. Then, they delve into the different types. Every topic is covered which I appreciated. They cover symptoms, methods to help calm yourself during a panic attack, the pros and cons of medication, and self-love.
I give The Anxiety Sister's Guide 5 stars. I love that the authors provide so much help and make you feel like you aren't alone in your anxiety battles. The community and the sisterhood that these ladies bring to the book will be so helpful to so many.
May 6, 2022
this was like a little warm hug filled with sunshine, worth every penny ☀️✨♥️
This book is not your typical self-help book (which I'm not a fan of, a lot of it is all wishy washy twoddle that I've heard 10x before and none of it works), this however was like a warm comforting hug swaddled up in a cosy little blanket. It was accessible, understanding, and comforting all in one. This is one of those books that I'll keep in my bag to carry around with me for whenever I need it, it's become one of my new favourite little things. Being able to read about anxiety, and more importantly, my anxiety, because the whole thing was so relatable, and make my own little notes and annotations in it was great. It just felt like a big warm hug and it was like oh, thank you for putting all of that into words for me. I especially loved the explanations behind the anxiety and the science behind it, because anxiety is a brain disorder and so, we need to know how our brain works along with our receptors and our body as a whole - when we feel anxious, what's physically going on inside? The explanations within this book were so simple and accessible yet so informative at the same time, I'm super grateful for this book. It wasn't wishy washy, it wasn't your typical nonsense self-help book, in fact, I wouldn't like to classify this as a self-help book at all because I think that undermines it and gives it way less credit that it deserves. It's like a hey, we know you're feeling anxious and it feels like the world's going to end right now, but guess what, we know how you feel, we've been there, and here's what we'd like to share with you about how we got through it because guess what, you will too. It was just like a warm hug wrapped up in sunshine and I really appreciated it. Super grateful for this book and anything these two women (or, the Anxiety Sisters) write in future, which I hope they do, because I'll be right there to read it. This book came at exactly the right time I needed it and it was worth every penny I paid for it, if anything I believe I underpaid because this book is worth so much more. 100% would recommend it for all anxiety suffers to read. Super grateful I got the chance to experience it.
This book is not your typical self-help book (which I'm not a fan of, a lot of it is all wishy washy twoddle that I've heard 10x before and none of it works), this however was like a warm comforting hug swaddled up in a cosy little blanket. It was accessible, understanding, and comforting all in one. This is one of those books that I'll keep in my bag to carry around with me for whenever I need it, it's become one of my new favourite little things. Being able to read about anxiety, and more importantly, my anxiety, because the whole thing was so relatable, and make my own little notes and annotations in it was great. It just felt like a big warm hug and it was like oh, thank you for putting all of that into words for me. I especially loved the explanations behind the anxiety and the science behind it, because anxiety is a brain disorder and so, we need to know how our brain works along with our receptors and our body as a whole - when we feel anxious, what's physically going on inside? The explanations within this book were so simple and accessible yet so informative at the same time, I'm super grateful for this book. It wasn't wishy washy, it wasn't your typical nonsense self-help book, in fact, I wouldn't like to classify this as a self-help book at all because I think that undermines it and gives it way less credit that it deserves. It's like a hey, we know you're feeling anxious and it feels like the world's going to end right now, but guess what, we know how you feel, we've been there, and here's what we'd like to share with you about how we got through it because guess what, you will too. It was just like a warm hug wrapped up in sunshine and I really appreciated it. Super grateful for this book and anything these two women (or, the Anxiety Sisters) write in future, which I hope they do, because I'll be right there to read it. This book came at exactly the right time I needed it and it was worth every penny I paid for it, if anything I believe I underpaid because this book is worth so much more. 100% would recommend it for all anxiety suffers to read. Super grateful I got the chance to experience it.
October 30, 2021
I have read so many books on anxiety and this is up there with my absolute favs!!
I absolutely adore this book, I read it so slowly - purely because I was getting so much from it and just didn't want it to end.
This book has a perfect balance of science, advice and humour!
I will be recommending this book to all my fellow anxiety sisters in my life.
Brilliant book!!
I absolutely adore this book, I read it so slowly - purely because I was getting so much from it and just didn't want it to end.
This book has a perfect balance of science, advice and humour!
I will be recommending this book to all my fellow anxiety sisters in my life.
Brilliant book!!
October 23, 2023
This is a practical book geared toward anyone who suffers from anxiety. It’s filled with many excellent tips from the way you think about stress to packing your purse with objects and/or meds to help you get through the stress process faster. I like the concept of “riding the wave.” The anxiety will end and it always ends. Just hang on. The authors also believe acceptance is important. Odds are that I will always have periods of anxiety. Instead of fighting it, focus my energies on getting through it and taking the pressure off myself. I’d recommend this book. They do mention spirituality, but only in passing. Prayer and Bible verses are the best ways for me to relieve anxiety.
November 2, 2025
A very nice guide about anxiety! Definitely a book I recommend picking up if you want to start learning about your anxiety. If you already know quite a bit about anxiety, you can probably skip this one.
January 27, 2023
Absolute banger!!!!
Read
February 6, 2025I stopped here and maybe will get back to it later because i’m way too triggered to be reading about it as well as experiencing it.
October 27, 2021
Great self help book on anxiety. Very readable and lots of good info. Highly recommend.
October 2, 2021
Excellent practical guide to anxiety!
Thanks for the copy TarcherPerigee
Thanks for the copy TarcherPerigee
June 6, 2022
Not bad, a couple of new things to consider, and an easy tone to the text, but overall, idk. I just didn't gel with some of the language used.
August 29, 2023
This book is an excellent resource if you'd like to learn more about anxiety! Really well written and easy to read, it offers perspective on anxiety causes, symptoms, and treatment. HIghly recommended if you want a practical guide to understanding and overcoming anxiety. Link is in my bio to check it out.
"Recovery is messy and healing is not linear, so there aren't four easy steps we can lay out for you (and don't trust anyone who claims he or she has such a plan). We approach anxiety not as a problem to be solved or a tumor to be exercised, but rather as a part of who we are as human beings. Therefore, our goal is to live happily with our anxiety."
"Anxiety - especially acute anxiety- is a lot like a rip current in that it completely overtakes you and your first instinct is to struggle against it. Which makes a whole lot of sense considering that anxiety makes you feel like you might die, so you will do absolutely anything to stop it. As is the case with rip tides, however, fighting against your anxiety will only serve to exhaust you. Truth be told, anxiety seems to get stronger the more you fight against it because, as Deepak Chopra points out, what you pay attention to grows."
"You are always only 10 breaths away from reduced anxiety."
"Recovery is messy and healing is not linear, so there aren't four easy steps we can lay out for you (and don't trust anyone who claims he or she has such a plan). We approach anxiety not as a problem to be solved or a tumor to be exercised, but rather as a part of who we are as human beings. Therefore, our goal is to live happily with our anxiety."
"Anxiety - especially acute anxiety- is a lot like a rip current in that it completely overtakes you and your first instinct is to struggle against it. Which makes a whole lot of sense considering that anxiety makes you feel like you might die, so you will do absolutely anything to stop it. As is the case with rip tides, however, fighting against your anxiety will only serve to exhaust you. Truth be told, anxiety seems to get stronger the more you fight against it because, as Deepak Chopra points out, what you pay attention to grows."
"You are always only 10 breaths away from reduced anxiety."
January 2, 2022
My first 5 star review of the new year. I cannot say enough good things about this book. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I found the techniques that it covered really encouraging and I can’t wait to try them out. I am hopeful about things in a way I haven’t been in a long time.. Something to note if you read this, I am someone that can finish a book in a day (if left alone). This book took me much longer. Not because it wasn’t good because it was great. But it was like… eating a cake 🎂 I would have to read a piece, process it and then go back for more later. It had such wonderful things in here, I’m planning on going back through it just to take notes, it was that good. Please read this and try it out! 💚😊🙏🏻🎊🎉🌻😸
May 21, 2023
I often suffer with anxiety. I fight against it & feel awful about myself. This is why I picked up this book. It’s honestly brilliant.
This book is written in a way that’s not just easy to understand but is actually fun. You feel part of the sisterhood & you feel better about yourself. I especially liked the bit about the neuroscience, explaining how anxiety isn’t your fault but something wrong with your brain. The book also contains some good self-help tips. I give this book 5 stars because it’s also helped me see a way forward.
This book is written in a way that’s not just easy to understand but is actually fun. You feel part of the sisterhood & you feel better about yourself. I especially liked the bit about the neuroscience, explaining how anxiety isn’t your fault but something wrong with your brain. The book also contains some good self-help tips. I give this book 5 stars because it’s also helped me see a way forward.
April 19, 2022
I received a copy of this book through goodreads giveaways. I thought that it explained details about anxiety and how to handle anxiety well. The writing style allows the reader to feel included and comes across as straight forward as well as informative. I enjoyed the inclusion of anecdotal experiences since it’s relatable for readers. Overall this was an interesting self help book and I am glad I read it.
March 8, 2023
I suffer from both Anxiety and Depression. For me reading a book about anxiety written by two women who also suffer from anxiety was awesome! I felt I could truly trust them because they knew how it felt to have anxiety!
Highly recommend for anyone suffering from Anxiety, depression or mental health problems!
Highly recommend for anyone suffering from Anxiety, depression or mental health problems!
March 27, 2022
Reading about anxiety makes me less anxious for some reason so I appreciated this book. Lots of the information is common knowledge, but I enjoyed how they shared personal anecdotes of other anxiety suffers.
August 10, 2022
Very useful
This book is written with the American Market in mind, but the info is so helpful, reassuring and comprehensive, that it is a fantastic tool for us in the UK who are struggling to get a GP appointment! Easy to read and understand too. Thank you Mags and Abs.
This book is written with the American Market in mind, but the info is so helpful, reassuring and comprehensive, that it is a fantastic tool for us in the UK who are struggling to get a GP appointment! Easy to read and understand too. Thank you Mags and Abs.
June 11, 2024
Learned a couple new strategies to manage anxiety, but overall felt like the book lacked substance. Didn’t tell me much that I didn’t already know. Would have loved more preventative strategies or something like that rather just what to do if you feel anxious
September 29, 2024
A literal bible for anxious women! This book was really helpful in reframing my panic disorder when the panic attacks hit. I also really appreciate that the book explores all treatments and management for anxiety, holistic and medicinal
November 17, 2021
Great book; definitely recommend for all types of readers; especially those suffering anxiety or depression. Also, highly recommend the Anxiety Sisters podcast! Good stuff!
November 18, 2021
What a delightfully surprising book! I found it informative, relatable, and fun. Such a great read for anyone dealing with anxiety.
January 30, 2022
Great book for anyone who has anxiety.... lots of great advice!!! So glad I found this!!!
March 15, 2022
Highly recommend for those who suffer from anxiety!!!
April 20, 2022
OUTSTANDING RESOURCE!!! Excellent book and would be an awesome gift 👏🏽👏🏽
August 13, 2022
Great book, validates those that have been experiencing anxiety.
September 2, 2022
Very in depth
January 20, 2023
So helpful !!!!! Loved this book, my new anxiety bible lol!
February 3, 2023
Fantastic resource and excellent read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews