Patricia Pearson

I really enjoyed this book. I even began to feel rather moved towards the end, because I did find myself relating a great deal to her experience of anxiety, I could empathize completely. It was sort of a reassuring read for me & was also neat to read the bits about the history of anxiety throughout the ages. Her talk about anti-depressants & so on, was eye-opening(even for someone who was for years, on & off them).

The book itself is short & easy to read. I was amused by some of the references, particular those to Gavin De Becker, Richard Dawkins, various writers/poets/artists, etc. (I must confess though that the Dawkins reference made me roll my eyes at her slightly, in a "she so does not get him" sort of way. But that is more than just a bit besides the point)

I found the book quite interesting & enjoyable & would recommend it for anyone interested in its subject matter.… (mehr)

WARNING: When Boy meets parents of Girl (about half way through the book) make sure no one is within siren's earshot of you. I've never screamed with laughter like this in my life! What a darling, funny, bright book. Yea Lester (of both generations)! Lester, the original: for a wonderful P.M., you make an even greater grandpappie. thank you for Patricia - who first hooked me on her brilliant, unfliching, & compassionate exploration of anxiety. Now this book - the perfect antidote for any & all our anxieties. :) :) :)… (mehr)

About: Pearson describes her struggle with bouts of anxiety and its treatment as well as provides a history of anxiety (and its treatments).

Pros: Short, not poorly written. Sources cited

Cons: Nothing Earth-shattering. Pearson provides some poor examples; i.e. Melinda Doolittle from American Idol when discussing personality, and who's going to remember her in a few years' time? Leading me to think this book will not survive the test of the ages. Discusses a poem by Auden and doesn't share the text. While sources are cited, they are solely in the back matter in a "sentence...source" format, where citation-sequence (superscript numbers) would have been easier to look up what sources she cites and where.… (mehr)