When Eleanor Morgan published a first-person account of her struggles with anxiety as part of the online series the VICE Guide to Mental Health, the response was staggering. Within four days, the article was read by five million people in fifteen countries, prompted tens of thousands of reader responses and was endorsed by numerous high-profile celebrities, including Caitlin Moran. In Anxiety for Beginners, Morgan digs even deeper, combining her own experiences—rendered in achingly honest, often hilarious detail—with extensive research and input from experts: neuroscientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and fellow sufferers, including some familiar faces. With her brilliant wit and warmth, Morgan not only examines the roots of her own anxiety, but also investigates what might be contributing to the suffering of so many of us around the world. At its heart, Anxiety for Beginners is a book about acceptance, as Morgan explores how learning to accept anxiety as part of who we are, rather than wasting years being ashamed of it, can help us live lives that are not just manageable but enjoyable. Reviews: “A powerful and beautifully written account of Morgan’s experiences with anxiety and depression, and a rigorously researched examination of why they happen and how they can be managed.” — The Guardian About the Author: Eleanor Morgan has written extensively for the Guardian, the Observer, the Times, the Independent, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and The Believer. She was senior editor at VICE UK, where she helped to manage the output of an ever-expanding editorial team at one of the fastest-moving media organizations in the world, and has become one of the sharpest, most well-connected young voices in today’s media landscape. |