In "The ABCs of My Neuroses: Tales from an Anxious Life," Justine Cadwell offers a candid and humorous exploration of anxiety, making it a must-read for those seeking a relatable journey through the world of mental health.
Embark on a riveting journey of self-discovery with Midwestern millennial, Justine Cadwell, in her groundbreaking new book, The ABCs of My Neuroses - Tales from an Anxious Life. Daringly honest, deeply relatable, and laced with touches of humor, Cadwell's work offers a refreshing perspective on anxiety disorders and their impacts on daily life.
Each chapter, arranged alphabetically, unravels the complex tapestry of the author's own neuroses, forging a path that blurs the line between endearing quirks and debilitating mental illness. Woven with extracts from her personal journals, love letters, and text message conversations, Cadwell paints a vivid portrayal of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of living with anxiety. It resonates with anyone who's ever felt their heart race at the thought of the unknown.
But Cadwell's story isn't just about navigating mental illness—it's about surviving modern life, exploring universal topics such as sex and body image hang-ups, parenting woes, and the slippery slope from the need for external validation to consumerism and codependency.
The ABCs of My Neuroses is a must-read for those seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of mental health. It's an exploration, a conversation, and ultimately, a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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"In The ABCs of My Neuroses, Justine Cadwell masterfully traces the tensions—between thought and feeling, interior and exterior landscape, past and present, other and self—that shape the contours of not only her own life but also human life itself. The playful yet serious use of a strict narrative structure gives shape and clarity to experiences, which are, by their very nature, amorphous and oblique. In this book, marked by humor, candor, and keen insight, Cadwell proves to be a wise and compassionate guide through the complexity, absurdity, and surprising beauty of what it is to be alive." —
Marya Hornbacher, author of Wasted and Madness
"In this highly engaging, entertaining, and informative memoir, Justine Cadwell takes the reader on her journey through different mental, emotional, and health issues. Veering from a straight, linear sort of telling, the dynamic and experimental structure of The ABCs of My Neuroses help to convey that the ways in which we experience any life challenges aren’t always on a straight-forward path. With enlightening prose and hilarious quips, Cadwell shows us the different ways in which we can navigate the various neuroses we encounter in life with both grace and humor." -
Chelsey Clammer, author of Human Heartbeat Detected and Circadian