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alicesbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Normally I don't like poetry, but the way this was written was astounding! I felt like I was truly there with Samantha and experiencing each event with her. And as someone who struggles with anxiety, I found this book to be so relatable, but equally eye-opening. It's refreshing to read a book that makes you feel truly seen. I have a feeling this will quickly become a frequent reread for me :)
emilyjoy828's review
4.0
“This was supposed to be one of the best time of my life but instead it has been a nightmare that only pills can stop.” A very short and relatable memoir about what it’s like to live with an anxiety disorder. It was engaging and informative and beautifully written. My only two complaints: 1. The ending felt rushed. Where is she now? Still struggling with anxiety? How is she coping? 2. I didn’t understand why it was written in poetry form. Pressing enter in the middle of a sentence doesn’t make it poetry...does it?
wordyanchorite's review against another edition
3.0
A teenage girl deals with, suffers from, works through, begins recovering from anxiety disorder.
There are very occasional moments of poetic insight. Mostly, this didn't need to be a verse anything. But whatever, it's trendy for resilience literature, easier for underground readers to access, or something.
I just feel pretty meh about this one. It might be bitter envy that she had such a strong support system.
There are very occasional moments of poetic insight. Mostly, this didn't need to be a verse anything. But whatever, it's trendy for resilience literature, easier for underground readers to access, or something.
I just feel pretty meh about this one. It might be bitter envy that she had such a strong support system.
kimz95's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. :)
I liked the book, but it was not "very special". It didn't stand out, at least, not to me.
The panic attacks were described pretty good, but I didn't quite like the fact that the story didn't go much farther than talking about the attacks, medicines and stuff like that.
I liked the book, but it was not "very special". It didn't stand out, at least, not to me.
The panic attacks were described pretty good, but I didn't quite like the fact that the story didn't go much farther than talking about the attacks, medicines and stuff like that.
evirae's review against another edition
3.0
This is a quick read of prose, but I highly recommend it for anyone who studying anxiety disorder and anyone who wants to understand what it's like to live with this level of anxiety.
As someone who suffers from this myself, I was touched with how well Samantha Schultz captured what it's like to have a panic attack, what it's like to get better for a while only to fall down again.. This is an authentic look at what it's like to live in the mind of someone living in fear-- someone who probably knows that there is no rational reason for it, but someone that can't just wish it away, either.
This really touched me. I'm glad to have read it.
As someone who suffers from this myself, I was touched with how well Samantha Schultz captured what it's like to have a panic attack, what it's like to get better for a while only to fall down again.. This is an authentic look at what it's like to live in the mind of someone living in fear-- someone who probably knows that there is no rational reason for it, but someone that can't just wish it away, either.
This really touched me. I'm glad to have read it.
earlybirdie94's review
5.0
Between 2012-2016, I developed a panic disorder with agoraphobia. It was some of the worst times in my life. I couldn't even go across the street to a neighbors house without having a panic attack.
Reading this made me remember, but also made me know how far I've come along. I still have panic attacks but no where near as bad as back then. I forced myself out of my comfort zone and saw a therapist.
I related to her a lot, the worry and the feeling of being a failure because I've decided to let my panic attacks control me. It's also a good memoir to read if you've experienced anxiety or if you want a good idea of it.
Reading this made me remember, but also made me know how far I've come along. I still have panic attacks but no where near as bad as back then. I forced myself out of my comfort zone and saw a therapist.
I related to her a lot, the worry and the feeling of being a failure because I've decided to let my panic attacks control me. It's also a good memoir to read if you've experienced anxiety or if you want a good idea of it.
londa14's review against another edition
2.0
"Over and over the son asks, “C’est quoi ça?” To be that young and not know what things are is enviable."
Detailed scenarios about anxiety
Detailed scenarios about anxiety
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
Poetry really isn't my thing so I'm probably not the right person for this book. I found the book to be interesting and well done but I also didn't find it to be memorable or life changing. I listened to this on audio, which was nicely done, and helped me grasp the poetry aspect of the book. The mental health conversations in this were relatable and felt so real.
analyndagrace's review against another edition
2.0
The bad out did the good. Coming from a person with anxiety disorder, I just didn't like the character. She was too whiny and ugh. I didn't like it at all. I already plan on getting rid of it.
echo_finished_cake's review against another edition
5.0
This short book was published in 2006, when I was a sophomore in high school. I had never heard about it until recently, here in 2020. After reading this book, I almost wish I could go back to my high school days and tell myself about this book. I think, had I read it back then, I would have had more courage to get help then when I really needed it. That is how wonderfully written and relatable Ms. Schutz's story of living with an anxiety disorder is to me. I won't go into too many specifics here on this book review forum, but there were so many lines and experiences in her story I could relate to that I lost track of them all. She was blunt, she was honest, she was descriptive and I appreciate these things about this book. I could relate so closely to several of the feelings she describes about having anxiety, panicking and worrying about how others will react to her anxiety & panic attacks. I paused several times while reading this to briefly reflect on relatable feelings towards experiences in my own life that have perpetuated my anxiety. The beauty is I feel that was to some degree, Ms. Schutz's intention when telling her story-to get those of us with anxiety to think about ourselves and our own lives and to take action as need to get help. This is why I think this is a book for anyone who lives with anxiety. A story about a young woman who grows to or comes to terms with her anxiety through medication, counseling, supportive (and sometimes unsupportive) family and friends and through living her life the best she can. I can relate to so much of this and that is why her story told here means so much to me.
The only part I could not relate to really, is all her hook-ups with guys over the years (though believe me, I'm not passing judgement when I say this, it's just an observation) and the experiences with medication. I have a generalized anxiety disorder and I have never taken a single pill for it. I refuse to amidst fear of becoming addicted.
Otherwise, I loved this story and feel the fact it was written in poetry format expresses the positives of all she learned about herself as she struggles and highlights the triumphs she had in learning how to manage it all. As someone with anxiety, I think this was a good move or goal for the writer to have when telling the world the story of her pain. May all who have any form of an anxiety disorder this and be inspired to get the help you need when you need it so that your important story can be told.
This is a must read (though be warned this is not a "light" book to read, but I did get a chuckle out of it here and there)!!! I will likely read it again before returning it to the library and will likely eventually buy a copy for keeps.
The only part I could not relate to really, is all her hook-ups with guys over the years (though believe me, I'm not passing judgement when I say this, it's just an observation) and the experiences with medication. I have a generalized anxiety disorder and I have never taken a single pill for it. I refuse to amidst fear of becoming addicted.
Otherwise, I loved this story and feel the fact it was written in poetry format expresses the positives of all she learned about herself as she struggles and highlights the triumphs she had in learning how to manage it all. As someone with anxiety, I think this was a good move or goal for the writer to have when telling the world the story of her pain. May all who have any form of an anxiety disorder this and be inspired to get the help you need when you need it so that your important story can be told.
This is a must read (though be warned this is not a "light" book to read, but I did get a chuckle out of it here and there)!!! I will likely read it again before returning it to the library and will likely eventually buy a copy for keeps.