On June 23, 2014 at the age of 33, I had my first panic attack.  It was, without a doubt, the most terrifying day of my life.

In his new book, My Age of Anxiety: Fear, hope, dread, and the search for peace of mind, Scott Stossel examines the history of anxiety disorders.  This account of anxiety and panic disorders in America is a welcomed departure from the mind vs body debates of similar literature.  And Stossel uses his memoir to “come out” as a successful author, editor, father, and husband who just happens to suffer from social anxiety and a host of various phobias.  I appreciate the courage that it took for Stossel to publish this book and praise his ability to discuss anxiety, not as a weakness, but as an illness much like diabetes or cancer.

Continue reading MY Age of Anxiety (and a bit of Scott Stossel’s too) →