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Untangle Your Anxiety: A Guide To Overcoming An Anxiety Disorder By Two People Who Have Been Through It
Do you struggle to understand your anxiety? Are your days often consumed by worries that have no clear answers? Perhaps you don't feel like your usual self? UNTANGLE YOUR ANXIETY was written by Psychotherapist and Best-Selling Author, Joshua Fletcher (@anxietyjosh), and the owner of Instagram's largest anxiety community, Dean Stott (@DLCanxiety), to help you overcome excessive anxiety. Having both been diagnosed in the past with anxiety disorders, then successfully overcoming them, Josh and Dean have written this honest and powerful self-help book as a reassuring aid in your recovery.
174 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2021
132 people are currently reading
2533 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 10, 2021
I had the pleasure of buddy-reading this book with my husband and it was a wonderful book that turned out to be a great reading experience as well. If I can’t explain what goes on in my head, maybe the two writers of this book can. I first came across this book on Instagram since I've been following Anxiety Josh for quite some time now. His was the only page on Instagram which wasn't wishy-washy at all, and it actually explained concepts like overthinking without useless advice like - "well, don't think too much."
I fully understand that anxiety is different for everyone and we all experience it in different ways, so my experience and what I got from this book is extremely personal to me.
The book explains the medical reasons behind anxiety - what exactly happens in your body when you're going through an anxiety attack. I found that really helpful because it explains that anxiety is basically a threat response, to maybe a real or a non-existent threat. In this day and age, we are constantly bombarded with information, and that can all be very overwhelming which triggers a threat response.
It explains concepts like derealisation and other things that happen when we're going through an anxious period. The physical and mental symptoms are both explained with a clear way out defined so you can come out on the other-side, alive and well. I'm pretty sure I highlighted every page and made notes thinking, "well, if this isn't me."
One of the most useful things that I picked up from this book was the fact that anxiety is uncomfortable, and sometimes you just have to sit with the uncomfortable feelings and symptoms. If your heart is beating out of your chest and you feel like you can't breathe, you have to eventually realise that you will not die and this is the brain's response to dealing with (real or imminent) danger.
It's not easy but facing the discomfort and sitting with your feelings is the way forward.
While the book has a lot of information in it, it does not feel like an information overload at any point, because the writing is easily understood by someone who does not have a background in science. The conversations between the authors at the end of each chapter were quite uplifting, and made me feel less alone in my anxiety. It’s comforting to know that a lot more people go through this, every day.
I fully understand that anxiety is different for everyone and we all experience it in different ways, so my experience and what I got from this book is extremely personal to me.
The book explains the medical reasons behind anxiety - what exactly happens in your body when you're going through an anxiety attack. I found that really helpful because it explains that anxiety is basically a threat response, to maybe a real or a non-existent threat. In this day and age, we are constantly bombarded with information, and that can all be very overwhelming which triggers a threat response.
It explains concepts like derealisation and other things that happen when we're going through an anxious period. The physical and mental symptoms are both explained with a clear way out defined so you can come out on the other-side, alive and well. I'm pretty sure I highlighted every page and made notes thinking, "well, if this isn't me."
One of the most useful things that I picked up from this book was the fact that anxiety is uncomfortable, and sometimes you just have to sit with the uncomfortable feelings and symptoms. If your heart is beating out of your chest and you feel like you can't breathe, you have to eventually realise that you will not die and this is the brain's response to dealing with (real or imminent) danger.
It's not easy but facing the discomfort and sitting with your feelings is the way forward.
While the book has a lot of information in it, it does not feel like an information overload at any point, because the writing is easily understood by someone who does not have a background in science. The conversations between the authors at the end of each chapter were quite uplifting, and made me feel less alone in my anxiety. It’s comforting to know that a lot more people go through this, every day.
July 12, 2021
Probably the most comforting book I have ever read in my life. Ive struggled with anxiety practically all my life and it worsened when i was 22. I’m almost 25 now, clinically diagnosed with generalized anxiety, ptsd, depression, and agoraphobia. The pandemic added more weight to the mental toll this took on me already. At some point i couldn’t even leave my house because the noises outside the worried me. Driving anxiety, health anxiety, you name it, i got it. Seeing how far I’ve come now to trying to just live my life has compelled me to just accept this condition. The one thing i take from this book was acceptance. To accept ourselves for the anxiety ridden people we are and to just be. It’s no longer about fleeing, fearing, and doing. It’s just about taking every moment and sensation in, to allow your body and mind to adjust so that it can truly understand what you’re capable of. This book brought me joy, and comfort, and above all, acceptance. I encourage anyone who suffers from anxiety to take a look and take your time. From love and anxiety in real time, Luna.
April 1, 2021
As someone who has been living with anxiety for the past 15 yrs or so, this book didn’t do much for me.
The first part is the same as googling anxiety symptoms; then it gets “better” as it gives you some tips and tricks to use. I think that their IG posts are much more useful than the actual book!
The first part is the same as googling anxiety symptoms; then it gets “better” as it gives you some tips and tricks to use. I think that their IG posts are much more useful than the actual book!
March 19, 2021
I picked up this book because I follow @anxietyjosh on Instagram and have always found comfort and inspiration from his posts. I added his other books to my “want to read” list but this one seemed to really speak to me and what I experience so I picked it up first. I have struggled with severe anxiety all of my life. I did not find success with medication but found some relief with CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). This book really reminds me of that, it helps to break down what anxiety is biologically and in the most literal sense and the tips and advice they give are so reassuring. After reading this book I feel less alone in my struggle. I feel encouraged and inspired to follow and learn from what I read. I had so many “aha” moments and some of the symptoms and thoughts they went through matched what I experience to a tee. If you struggle with anxiety definitely don’t miss this one!
March 19, 2021
I really recommend this book! Really helped me in my journey to recovery! I also read joshua fletcher his other books! Really good!
May 24, 2022
This is the only self help style book that I've ever been able to finish, because it actually informs you about anxiety in a way that is not condescending or dismissive. As someone who's had anxiety all my life, I found this book amazing - it gave me more information about the biological side of anxiety than any doctor ever did, and I've seen a lot of doctors. It came at the perfect time, when I was starting to doubt or forget the physical impact that anxiety can have. Talking about the physical effects of adrenaline and cortisol, the role of the parasympathetic nervous system, it just clarifies a lot of things that get blurry when you're actually going through it. Also loved listening in audiobook form, it was relaxing to listen to a chapter or two while I was experiencing an anxiety attack. If talking therapy or trying to figure things out yourself isnt working, I'd highly recommend this
January 12, 2022
Very good at explaining where anxiety comes from. However, the approach of “do nothing” to rid yourself of anxiety just felt like words, it needs more action items. A pleasant read all the same and I definitely learned something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2022
This was my first self-help read and it was super informative. It really put my mind at ease on a lot of sensations that I have been experiencing, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone struggling with anxiety, or just curious to know more about what it is like for those going through it.
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March 5, 2022Half way there but not feeling like reading through atm
January 2, 2023
A concise explanation of anxiety and the physiological experience. Really well written, the best thing about this book compared to others is they left out the fluff.
It had a few gold nuggets I hope to reach for when I next have that inappropriate adrenaline rush.
"What we've come to learn is that anxiety does not mean that you are broken; on the contrary, your body is perfectly healthy and doing its job almost too well."
It had a few gold nuggets I hope to reach for when I next have that inappropriate adrenaline rush.
"What we've come to learn is that anxiety does not mean that you are broken; on the contrary, your body is perfectly healthy and doing its job almost too well."
June 18, 2025
This one fell a bit flat for me, probably because of my degree and line of work combined with my own experience with clinical anxiety & panic attacks and resulting therapy. Stylistically I didn't enjoy the writing--- its content better suited for podcasts/blogs/social media. This book might be a hit for someone coming in blind to disordered anxiety. Consider this book Anxiety 101. I would still highly recommend Joshua's Instagram account though for quality clinical content in bite size nuggets.
March 3, 2025
This was bloody great! This helped me look at anxiety in a whole new way and gave me some things to use when I feel anxious
July 18, 2023
To start, I have social anxiety disorder and I had it for as long as I can remember.
"Untangle your anxiety" is a great starting point if you began to notice some anxiety disorder symptoms or if you just want to find out more about it. The authors explain where anxiety comes from, why we need it and presents a few advices how to cope or deal with it.
But as I said, I had anxiety my whole life and I expected this book to introduce new, helpful techniques to cope with it. Unfortunately, if you have this disorder for a long time, chances are that you already know all these tips, I found myself nodding along while reading because I already did all those things, consciously or not.
In my opinion, this book is an introduction to a basic level knowledge about anxiety disorders, you could read it before diving into deeper level stuff. The book has nice flow, it is easy to understand, but a bit of a downside is that it is very repetitive, like, VERY. It even has a summary chapter that basically repeats all the things said in previous parts of the book and maybe some will find it helpful, but to me, it just felt unnescessary, since half of the information is already repeated in every chapter.
"Untangle your anxiety" is a great starting point if you began to notice some anxiety disorder symptoms or if you just want to find out more about it. The authors explain where anxiety comes from, why we need it and presents a few advices how to cope or deal with it.
But as I said, I had anxiety my whole life and I expected this book to introduce new, helpful techniques to cope with it. Unfortunately, if you have this disorder for a long time, chances are that you already know all these tips, I found myself nodding along while reading because I already did all those things, consciously or not.
In my opinion, this book is an introduction to a basic level knowledge about anxiety disorders, you could read it before diving into deeper level stuff. The book has nice flow, it is easy to understand, but a bit of a downside is that it is very repetitive, like, VERY. It even has a summary chapter that basically repeats all the things said in previous parts of the book and maybe some will find it helpful, but to me, it just felt unnescessary, since half of the information is already repeated in every chapter.
April 8, 2021
I have read so many anxiety books over the years this one really spoke to my soul, it was amazing I personally loved the in conversation part at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend this book there is a reason it’s a best seller in the UK and USA
February 21, 2022
Es un gran libro para entender las razones neurológicas y de lado científico de la ansiedad. Me gusta porque explican muchas cosas que nos pasan gracias a la ansiedad y que al inicio no entendemos por qué.
January 20, 2025
This book has already helped me learn to recognize when I am caught in my thoughts and how I perceive the physical symptoms of anxiety going forward. Highly suggest reading it if you struggle with anxiety!
October 24, 2021
covered a lot about the science and biology behind anxiety which gave me a few bits of info I didn’t know before
May 16, 2022
I found this very helpful for understanding and working with general anxiety. It's an engaging and enjoyable read.
December 16, 2021
I would REALLY recommend this to people struggling with anxiety!
March 31, 2021
If there could ever be a perfect book on anxiety, it would be this one. I cannot belive how good this was. I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2021
Didn’t give my anxiety what it needed. Most of the stuff in the first half you can google. I already knew symptoms, and so on.
The stuff about how to overcome anxiety was interesting, but wouldn’t work for me most of the time. Didn’t like the end about the success stories and the summary felt as if it was just there to fill some pages.
The stuff about how to overcome anxiety was interesting, but wouldn’t work for me most of the time. Didn’t like the end about the success stories and the summary felt as if it was just there to fill some pages.
August 9, 2021
I didn't like it because I got the feeling that they are basically repeating the same thing in every chapter... In fact I think the last chapter would be enough to convey the message of this book. I was expecting more techniques on how to deal with anxiety... I didn't give one star because I actually like the content of their Instagram accounts. What a disappointment.
Eu não gostei porque fiquei com a sensação que basicamente estão a repetir a mesma coisa em cada capítulo... Aliás acho que o ultimo capítulo seria suficiente para transmitir a mensagem deste livro. Estava à espera de mais técnicas de como lidar com a ansiedade... Só não dei uma estrela porque até gosto do conteúdo das contas de Instagram deles. Que desilusão.
Eu não gostei porque fiquei com a sensação que basicamente estão a repetir a mesma coisa em cada capítulo... Aliás acho que o ultimo capítulo seria suficiente para transmitir a mensagem deste livro. Estava à espera de mais técnicas de como lidar com a ansiedade... Só não dei uma estrela porque até gosto do conteúdo das contas de Instagram deles. Que desilusão.
July 22, 2023
An interesting book from which I learnt a lot about anxiety. However, I found the book repetitive. Some of the suggestions are overselling and I don’t feel convinced. For example, the authors suggest to use exposure therapy for PTSD, which I think it can make things worse. Also, the analogy of fire alarm is simply very misleading. People who work at the office buildings should react to fire alarm, but not getting used to it. Such misleading analogy, in worse case, may cause people’s lives.
Overall, an interesting book. But the overselling and the tone of “I am the expert and what I say is correct and all others are wrong” makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Also, you can find hundreds of “white-knuckling” in this thin book 😂
Overall, an interesting book. But the overselling and the tone of “I am the expert and what I say is correct and all others are wrong” makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Also, you can find hundreds of “white-knuckling” in this thin book 😂
July 11, 2024
Honestly opened my eyes a bit…just a bit though.
June 8, 2023
5 starts didn’t feel quite enough for this one.
.
For most of my life I’ve been the ‘anxious’ person. Worrying about lots of different things. As I’ve gotten older I’m better at noticing my tells, and feel I have a better handle on some of the triggers and therefore ways of understanding and managing it a bit better.
.
I WISH I had had this book in an earlier part of my life. Some of the symptoms I struggled with badly are explained in this book. Written by people who have experienced it, and worked through it, everything just makes sense. I recognise now that I’m not just ‘anxious’ but likely have a combination of conditions like panic disorder and health anxiety. As part of some other medical issues a few years ago, I was left with massive health anxiety, to the point I was experiencing derealisation.
.
Of course, at that point, I didn’t know what that was. I described it as being in a fishbowl but outside of my body. It is a feeling of detachment - and the trouble is, when you’re convinced you’ve had or are having a stroke, suddenly feeling separated from your body is bloody hard! Thankfully, I’m aware of some of those feelings and have been used to grounding myself if I feel it coming on again.
.
This book also educates in how anxiety works - the chemicals behind it…including why telling someone to ‘relax’ is impossible if anxiety is literally a chemical reaction! It’s the first time I’ve enjoyed science 🤣
.
I will not stop recommending this book to people who may be struggling to understand their mental health or anxiety, and even recommending to peers/family of people dealing with. Absolute game changer 💪🏻
.
For most of my life I’ve been the ‘anxious’ person. Worrying about lots of different things. As I’ve gotten older I’m better at noticing my tells, and feel I have a better handle on some of the triggers and therefore ways of understanding and managing it a bit better.
.
I WISH I had had this book in an earlier part of my life. Some of the symptoms I struggled with badly are explained in this book. Written by people who have experienced it, and worked through it, everything just makes sense. I recognise now that I’m not just ‘anxious’ but likely have a combination of conditions like panic disorder and health anxiety. As part of some other medical issues a few years ago, I was left with massive health anxiety, to the point I was experiencing derealisation.
.
Of course, at that point, I didn’t know what that was. I described it as being in a fishbowl but outside of my body. It is a feeling of detachment - and the trouble is, when you’re convinced you’ve had or are having a stroke, suddenly feeling separated from your body is bloody hard! Thankfully, I’m aware of some of those feelings and have been used to grounding myself if I feel it coming on again.
.
This book also educates in how anxiety works - the chemicals behind it…including why telling someone to ‘relax’ is impossible if anxiety is literally a chemical reaction! It’s the first time I’ve enjoyed science 🤣
.
I will not stop recommending this book to people who may be struggling to understand their mental health or anxiety, and even recommending to peers/family of people dealing with. Absolute game changer 💪🏻
March 6, 2023
2.5⭐️
I really thought I was going to love this book, but I was really disappointed.
I think the beginning of the book was quite basic knowledge or it would be the first thing a psychologist or google tells you. The latter part was much better with some new and useful tips.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology so i excepted to know quite a lot already. However, with the way the book was promoted, I didn’t expect as much explaining what anxiety is, but more tips and tricks, which unfortunately was only one chapter.
They also used the terms fear, anxiety, and panic as interchangeable, even though they are completely different terms. And finally, there were quite a lot of typos and grammar issues and the layout did not look too great.
Overall, I recommend @anxietyjosh and @dlcanxiety on instagram, but I do not recommend their book.
Credibility: 7
Authenticity: 5
Writing: 5
Personal impact: 2
Intrigue: 2
Logic: 4
Enjoyment: 4
CAWPILE by Book Roast
I really thought I was going to love this book, but I was really disappointed.
I think the beginning of the book was quite basic knowledge or it would be the first thing a psychologist or google tells you. The latter part was much better with some new and useful tips.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology so i excepted to know quite a lot already. However, with the way the book was promoted, I didn’t expect as much explaining what anxiety is, but more tips and tricks, which unfortunately was only one chapter.
They also used the terms fear, anxiety, and panic as interchangeable, even though they are completely different terms. And finally, there were quite a lot of typos and grammar issues and the layout did not look too great.
Overall, I recommend @anxietyjosh and @dlcanxiety on instagram, but I do not recommend their book.
Credibility: 7
Authenticity: 5
Writing: 5
Personal impact: 2
Intrigue: 2
Logic: 4
Enjoyment: 4
CAWPILE by Book Roast
April 23, 2021
As someone who has just recently developed panic attacks, this book was a great introduction to the science and reality of panic and anxiety. There are some excellent tips in here that will be put to good use.
It is important to note, I was more open to the information in this book and it's "truth" about panic attacks only after I've talked to multiple doctors to cancel out any underlying health problems. If I just picked up this book and read it without any doctor's input or solid answers about my health I don't think it would have made a difference.
I very much enjoyed how this was written. It spoke to me as a "younger" person with the attention span of a squirrel crossing the street. I highly recommend this book but only if its used in conjunction with professional guidance or help. This book is a tool. It's not a cure.
It is important to note, I was more open to the information in this book and it's "truth" about panic attacks only after I've talked to multiple doctors to cancel out any underlying health problems. If I just picked up this book and read it without any doctor's input or solid answers about my health I don't think it would have made a difference.
I very much enjoyed how this was written. It spoke to me as a "younger" person with the attention span of a squirrel crossing the street. I highly recommend this book but only if its used in conjunction with professional guidance or help. This book is a tool. It's not a cure.
October 15, 2023
A useful, although very, very basic introduction to anxiety and some techniques to help you through it. As someone who's read very scientific books as well as more "self-help" ones about anxiety in an effort to better tackle it in my personal life, I found this quite simplistic, but it will certainly help those who are just now approaching this subject. Beware, the book has A LOT of typos and weird sentences, and it would definitely benefit from some editing to avoid repetition and fix all the typos, as I think they make everything seem slightly less professional. Also, I'd lose the cringy Instagram images, they're not needed and detract from the important subject matter. All in all, you can tell that Joshua and his co author have had first hand experience with anxiety. Please note that none of them are doctors and that only Joshua Fletcher is a certified psychotherapist.
January 16, 2023
This book is essential to anyone and everyone who has ever struggled with anxiety. I'd even recommend it to loved ones of those struggling with Anxiety too, as a tool to understanding what anxiety is, how you can manage it and learn to live with it.
It's played a huge role in my journey to coping with an anxiety disorder that was seemingly developed out of the blue in my mid 20s. It's a super short read and practically breaks down the process of anxiousness in the brain. The book helps you to understand the mechanics of what's happening when you experience anxiety in a really simple and reader friendly way.
This book should be an essential piece of any GP's tool kit to helping someone cope with their anxiety in the beginning stages of diagnosis!
It's played a huge role in my journey to coping with an anxiety disorder that was seemingly developed out of the blue in my mid 20s. It's a super short read and practically breaks down the process of anxiousness in the brain. The book helps you to understand the mechanics of what's happening when you experience anxiety in a really simple and reader friendly way.
This book should be an essential piece of any GP's tool kit to helping someone cope with their anxiety in the beginning stages of diagnosis!
April 21, 2021
Lots of great perspective and practical tips that I've started using in daily life that have yielded great results already. This book has opened my mind to a new way of viewing my anxiety as a part of me and growing to live with it rather than treating it as something I need to battle away. This alone has been powerful in changing my approach to anxiety and also coming to terms with who I am and how my brain thinks. Highly recommend for sufferers of anxiety. The writing is not great though and the parts I found useful didn't start until chapter 6, but I have already seen a change within a few days so the ideas and content have been on the mark, at least for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews