Befriend Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers

by Faith G. Harper

Do you freak out at small things? Do you yell at people or things when you don't mean to? Do you you sometime cry or get scared and you aren't sure why? Does it sometimes feel like your feelings control you?

All of these feelings are a normal part of life for everybody but sometimes they're just too much and it seems like you're the only one the planet that feels them.

Our brains are doing their best to help us out, but sometimes we get hurt instead. And sometimes we hurt people we love, too, because we just don't know what to do with all of our feelings. With humor and patience, Dr. Faith G. Harper shows you the science behind why your brain is acting up and ideas for new ways to respond when you're feeling scared, sad, anxious, or angry. You can train your brain to be your friend and help you live a happy, calm, and healthy life. If you have experienced trauma or if you have a hard time feeling good and getting along with other people, this book can help.

This is an adaptation of Dr. Faith's bestselling book (which has an R-rated title), written for tweens, teens, and the adults trying to help them navigate it all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Psychology, Health

223 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, ACN is a bad-ass, funny lady with a PhD. She’s a licensed professional counselor, board supervisor, certified sexologist, and applied clinical nutritionist with a private practice and consulting business in San Antonio, TX. She has been an adjunct professor and a TEDx presenter, and proudly identifies as a woman of color and uppity intersectional feminist. She is the author of the book Unf*ck Your Brain and many other popular zines and books on subjects such as anxiety, depression, and grief. She is available as a public speaker and for corporate and clinical trainings.

Reviews

[Sarah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun and quick read that explains mental health in simple terms without feeling "dumbed down" or condescending. It felt like a very cool aunt with a PhD was having a nice talk with her neice or nephew about why we feel certain things and ways to handle them. Definitely wish I had this in high school!

[Noel Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives off big "cool mom" vibes but not in the good way. This book is like the mom who tries too hard to fit in and be a friend instead of a parent. She cooks edible food and is always willing to host but is unbearable as a person.

There's a lot of really great information about how the brain works, about treatments and excellent blurbs with ideas to work through your own struggles.

The knowledge in this book is undermined by the format and language which make it a nightmare to read. The overuse of ellipses in inappropriate spots and excessive language give off strong "Boomer trying too hard" vibes. I have no problem with language being used, as I frequently swear, but it’s heavily overused in the book and distracts from the purpose. The style of the book is easy to read but the tone portrays an angsty teenager who swears just to show that they know swear words. I’d recommend this book if much of the language was removed and the tone was less conversational.

[Megan Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book hoping to help my 10yo puberty-starting, anxious son, but it is definitely for high school level brains, so I'll hold off. It focuses a lot on traumas experienced. If a kid hasn't experienced traumas, they might read more into it, as I know teens do. As an adult, though, having gone thru trauma that has stuck with me and not been processed, this was very useful. Some facts about the biology of how the brain works, but also some very good social-psychological perspectives that actually helped me sort out my present, adult, left over teen issues.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was more geared toward trauma response than every day anxiety and depression, but there were a few good gems in there. It’s super short, especially when you listen to it at 2x speed, and worth a listen if you are struggling with anxiety and depression or are looking to understand it a little better.

[Samreads_alot · Rating 5 out of 5]

So incredibly helpful, and written in a relatable way that keeps you engaged to learn more about how the brain works and how we can cope with its defense strategies that cause mental illness. I just might go buy this one so i can keep it for reference and the worksheets.

[Kiana Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the scientific but simple explanations of why your brain and body does what it does. She made me feel like I can work through some of my own struggles and also gave me tools on how to guide my kids through their emotions and just life.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful read! Really enjoyed the information

[Belal Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information with easy way

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Some teens may find this helpful. Author tries a little to hard to sound cool, but the information is good.

[Kristin Koski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a few pages a day to change your life for the better. Give this book to every teenager you know.

[Jacq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for every human

[Monika Look · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was recommended this book, I was unfamiliar with the author and didn't fully grasp that this was the "adolescent" version of her book. Even upon learning that at the beginning of the audiobook, I decided to continue as it was a quick listen.

Definitely very informative and helped me understand my own brain better. I just cringed a lot at the "teen-oriented" language the author uses, but again, I acknolwedge that the book is not directed towards me as an adult, haha.

[Kelli Salemink · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was recommended to me to read a book about anxiety. This one is geared more towards teens and maybe young adults but it was a good read. It made you think about things and the perspective of what it means to have anxiety. I enjoyed reading about ways to lessen your anxiety and that not all anxiety is bad. It was a quick read but a good one.