Ready Notes
This book is for people at varying stages of grief. The book mentions the loss of parents.
Recommended Audience
This book is recommended for adults and people who would like to support others who are grieving.
Review
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 18.1% of the population every year. For anyone grieving a loss, anxiety can worsen or suddenly make an appearance in what has, until then, been a relatively anxiety-free existence.
In her book, Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief, Claire Bidwell Smith invites us into her world, which was forever changed following the deaths of both parents while Bidwell Smith was a young adult. Bidwell Smith shares her own powerful experiences with anxiety, from experiencing her first anxiety-related panic attack to identifying the strategies that helped her manage her anxiety and arrive in a place of mindfulness and peace.
From exploring the source of our anxiety and understanding our story of loss, to retraining our brains and being present, Bidwell Smith invites us to consider how anxiety plays a role in our grief journey and how we can overcome it as we process our loss. Her engaging and comforting writing style immediately puts the reader at ease and it’s not long before she feels like an old friend who simply “gets it” and is with you through even the most difficult days.
Bidwell Smith’s personal stories and reflections make this book a relatable resource for anyone who is grieving a loss. Her strategies for managing and overcoming anxiety make it a must-read for anyone struggling with anxiety following that loss – or for anyone who wants to support a loved one coping with loss.
About the Reviewer
This book was read and is recommended by the Remembering A Life team.