NoPanic

Tag: books

  • Arabella and The Worry Cloud

    By Eleanor Segall

    In 2019, not long after my first book ‘Bring me to Light‘ was published, I had an idea for a story about a little girl, aged 7, who had worries- Arabella and the Worry Cloud. She is based on me as a child, I was a big worrier! I remember feeling anxious (separation anxiety) from about aged 4 and was sensitive. I grew up in the 1990’s and anxiety was far less spoken about. So, I decided that I wanted to create the book I didn’t have as a child. Through this I could use my experiences to help children with their mental health too, creating a positive picture book for 5-8 year olds.

    Poor mental health often starts in childhood. For me, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 16, and was off school with intense anxiety as part of a depressive episode at 15. This also included social anxiety, and panic attacks as I grew older. Anxiety and bipolar runs in my family, and I know there are families now who were like mine, or children living in more difficult environments.

    Children in loving, supportive homes (like mine was) can still experience anxiety around nursery, school, after school clubs and friendship issues, bullying, and something I did not have contend with- social media bullying. Other children have special educational needs or disabilities that impact them day to day. Some have challenging home environments that make mental health and life more difficult. My book is for any child struggling with their worries, to find a positive role model in Arabella.

    In the book, Arabella is 7 years old and her special talent is worrying. Her worries are represented by a cloud, known as the Worry Cloud, who comes down to see her from the sky. He reminds her of all her worries, and she tries to run away from him. However, once she begins to think of positive thoughts and memories with her family like eating ice cream at the beach, or swimming with her brother, her mind becomes lighter and happier. These positive thoughts are represented as light beams of positive energy, and she finds she can put her worries into perspective. The book also serves as a reminder that the storm does not last forever!

    The book is illustrated by Shelley the Artist. Her art work and illustrations are beautifully drawn, colourful and were perfect for how I wanted Arabella to be. She is an esteemed digital artist, mural maker, painter and sketcher. She really brought Arabella to life and we loved working together!  You can see her work at www.shelleytheartist.com

    Eleanor Segall.

    If you buy a copy for your child, niece or nephew, cousin, friend’s child or your class at school, I hope you love reading it and that it helps your child to understand that worrying happens, but we can talk about it, process it and find healthy ways to cope.

    Arabella and the Worry Cloud is out now on Amazon

    (image copyright: Eleanor Segall and Shelley the Artist)

  • “And How Does That Make You Feel?”

    My Personal and Professional Journey Through Anxiety Therapy”

    By Joshua Fletcher

    Hi, I’m Joshua Fletcher, also known as @anxietyjosh on social media. I want to share with you my journey, which inspired my latest book, “And How Does That Make You Feel? Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Therapy.” My story began in 2012 with a diagnosis of panic disorder and OCD. It was a tough time, filled with anxiety, fear of panic symptoms like feeling detached from myself and my surroundings, obsessing over my heartbeat, and avoiding places for fear of a panic attack, or the associated thoughts and fears that come with it like losing control in some way.

    Fast forward to today, and my life has transformed. My panic attacks are rare, and when they do happen, they don’t scare me anymore. I’ve learned not to obsess over every sensation or thought. My experience led me to become a psychotherapist specializing in anxiety disorders, and I’ve also completed a master’s in counselling and psychology. Plus, I’ve written several best-selling self-help books on anxiety.

    My upcoming book is something I’m really passionate about. It’s not just a self-help guide; it’s an insight into what it’s like to be an anxiety therapist who has experienced anxiety firsthand. It’s a book about being an anxiety therapist, and lets the reader take a look behind the scenes of what is a profession often shrouded in mystery.

    In “And How Does That Make You Feel?”, you’ll meet four characters, each with their own struggles:

    1. Daphne, a Hollywood actress dealing with identity issues and nighttime panic attacks.

    2. Levi, a nightclub doorman fighting intrusive thoughts.

    3. Zahra, a GP who struggles with driving anxiety and the shame of panic.

    4. Noah, who finds socializing difficult and carries a secret he fears sharing in therapy.

    These stories represent the real challenges faced by people with anxiety, brought to life through anonymized characters. The book gives an inside look at how I approach therapy with each of them. You’ll get a glimpse into the various thoughts and perspectives that run through my mind during sessions – from anxious thoughts to compassionate and critical analyses.

    The book is also filled with informative content about anxiety – its causes, how to manage it, and what effective therapy looks like. I do this by including psychoeducation that is interspersed throughout the book. It’s about understanding the therapy world, especially from the viewpoint of someone who’s been on both sides of the therapeutic process.

    For example, like Zahra, I had driving anxiety. I use my personal experiences and professional training to help her and many others who come to me with a variety of challenges. The book covers topics like exposure therapy and the importance of understanding your own body and mind.

    I wrote this book to resonate with those who have experienced anxiety, to make them feel seen and understood. It’s also for people who might not know what living with anxiety is like. The book is engaging and aims to enlighten readers about anxiety disorders and the stigma around mental health.

    My friends and publisher have praised the book, describing it as a perfect mix of an engaging narrative with valuable insights into anxiety. It has been described as “stealth-help” which I am delighted with. It’s meant to help readers empathize with those who struggle with anxiety disorders. I also discuss the concept of emotional conservatism in the book, emphasizing that those who face anxiety are not weak. They are incredibly brave for confronting their fears daily.

    “And How Does That Make You Feel?” is a tribute to outstanding therapists and everyone battling anxiety. It’s about finding hope, experiencing joy, and showing that there’s always a path out of panic and anxiety. I’m excited for you to read it and join me on this journey. It’s a significant achievement for me, and I hope you find as much joy in reading it as I did in writing it.

    Click here to preorder “And How Does That Make You Feel”.