F**k, I think I'm Dying

This was a brilliantly written book and an extension of a helping hand to all those who may experience or want to understand more about mental health and anxiety.

It covered all sorts from common causes of anxiety and panic, how they may present, research and the science into anxiety and panic as well as applied to situations like dating and flying on planes to name a few.

I absolutely love how Claire wrote this book, with plenty of humour (that was in good taste of course - and plenty of swearing!) and was actually incredibly laugh out loud funny. I think a lot will find a kinship with Claire - I certainly did and I have to admit, the whole book just left me feeling smiley, light and happy as well as a little annoyed at how the general world tends to find and deal with mental health but that is a common recurring theme to many!

Ahh it made me so annoyed with some of the poor authors experiences in the hospital care system and I could have throttled some of the doctors that so mean handedly dealt with her, and the sad thing is I know how prevalent it is and a standard in health care practice. There definitely needs to be an overturn in how mental health is dealt with, so it’s reasons that books like this are so so great! And I know things are getting better too with how mental health is perceived generally which is a brilliant step in the right direction.

This book would really help people who don’t suffer from anxiety and panic attacks as well, to understand, even if just a little, to help overcome the stigma that is attached. I’m lucky enough not to suffer from these conditions (aside from being an absolute huge overworrier!) and I’m so indebted to this book and the author who has helped me understand and helped me to be an ally to any current or future friends that may suffer in these ways.

I also loved reading about the relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health too and has really sparked an interest in current and upcoming research in this area for me. So so interesting!

The audiobook was brilliantly narrated as well by the author and it made for very easy and entertaining listening. Absolutely brilliant. I have nothing but respect for Claire and really couldn’t recommend this book enough to those thinking of giving it a read!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Audio and Claire Eastham for my advanced audiobook of F*ck I Think I'm Dying in exchange for an honest review.

Published: 6th May 2021

I have tried many a self help book in my time, some with success and some without. But none have resonated with me quite so much as F*ck I Think I'm Dying an amalgamation of self help and autobiography I would highly recommend the audio version as it is read by Claire herself and I think this really helps it resonate more.
This book genuinely made me feel so understood. I can't count the amount of times I've sat in regretful contemplation after a panic attack feeling like I'd just had a tantrum like a little toddler and questioning whether I even have anxiety or if I'm just a great big baby. So thank you to Claire for reassuring me that this is quite normal for people with anxiety and panic disorders. One section that particularly resonated with me was a meltdown over the avocado being too hard to mash on toast causing a complete meltdown. I too have meltdowns over seemingly small and insignificant things, in fact they're usually things that tip me over the edge more than the big things so... Claire's frankness over her worries about her relationship and her husband managing to live with her panic attacks is also something that really stuck with me as another worry of mine. But anyway, this is not about me it's about the book so here's my review.
This is one of those books that each person could take something different from. For me it was identifying that I'm not the only person who melts down over missing breakfast, struggles with working in an office because it makes me panic for no apparent reason and understands all about being an overachiever who works themselves half to death trying to be everything to everyone before ultimately burning out and having a breakdown. Rinse and repeat. For some this will serve as a self help book, taking some of the helpful tips and tricks that Claire drops in along the way to help them cope. For others like me it will be a reassurance that we're not alone. And for others it will be a greater understanding of their own condition. I also think that it is one of those books that would be great for a family member or friend to listen to in order to help them understand a condition they don't have to live with themselves.
Don't get me wrong. As Claire herself says, everyone's experience is different and what one person's condition is like is not going to be the same for every other person with anxiety or panic but I was pleasantly surprised with how much of it I found myself nodding along to in half amused half grateful agreement and to me this is a huge part of normalising anxiety and panic to know that we aren't alone and there are in fact many, many sufferers out there that dont all necessarily talk about their experiences.
The book also importantly highlights the lack of support for mental health that still exists in some places such as A&E in hospital something I have again experienced myself and I love that Claire is using her voice and platform to speak about and raise awareness for this. All in all I would absolutely recommend this as a read!

This is a memoir about panic. If you’re someone who has never experienced a panic attack fist of all, congratulations, second of all this is about as comprehensive an analysis of what panic is as anything I’ve ever read. I think memoir has that power to communicate where a trad self help/ instruction manual would struggle to connect in the same way.
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If you’re someone who has / does deal with panic Claire Eastham is funny, warm and most importantly swears like an trucker (which is most enjoyable on audio) but I would say approach with caution and check in with yourself that you feel ok as listening to panic being described so frankly can put your brain on high alert. But if you can, please read this book. It’s great.

Part memoir, part survival guide, 'F**ck, I Think I’m Dying' from blogger and author Claire Eastham is a relatable and honest account of what it’s like living with panic attacks. As well as covering Eastham’s personal journey with panic attacks, the book also draws information from scientists, psychologists, and fellow panic attack sufferers to work out what panic is, and the situations it’s most likely to hit.

I was interested in reading FITID, as I expect a lot of my fellow readers will be, because panic is a subject I’m uncomfortably familiar with. While I’ve read a couple of books that cover the umbrella topic of anxiety, this is the only book I’ve read that focuses specifically on panic, and so much of Claire’s story - from the lacking response by doctors to the effects of panic in everyday life — was achingly familiar.

Laying out the chapters around common panic danger zones (interviews, presentations, social situations, etc) was an excellent way to create structure. I do wish there had been a touch more on night panic attacks, but I really liked the discussion around plane journeys! Another highlight for me was the discussion around how people can help when a panic attack strikes, and how different this can be for each sufferer/situation.

Often Eastham’s advice boils down to ‘put long-term comfort before the short-term comfort that comes with doing what our bodies tell us to do during panic attacks', and while most of the advice Eastham offers probably won’t be new to panic sufferers, her frank and reassuring perspective will inevitably bring readers comfort. I listened to the audiobook version and Eastham was also a great narrator, with a chatty style that I think worked really well for a subject like this.

Though I found the insight from medical professionals interesting, it was the inclusion of experiences from other panic attack sufferers that I found to be the highlight of this book. As useful and fascinating as it is to take a look into the biological aspects of panic, it’s the open solidarity of everyday sufferers that makes F**ck, I Think I’m Dying a book I’d recommend if you suffer from panic, or want to provide support for someone who does.

Thank you Netgalley / Penguin for letting me listen to an advanced audio copy!

There's a lot of books out there about personal experience with anxiety but this is definitely a winner. I'm not going to lie, if you experience anxiety then some of the personal anecdotes may be a little overwhelming. While some were familiar in a way that was comforting, others has me pausing because they were exacerbating my own anxiety. I'd recommend it to friends with anxiety but with that caveat attached because I really did question if I could keep going at times. That said, I commend the author's honesty in her own experience.

The book is broken down into interesting sections that flowed well., It's a nice mixture of personal stories, advice and broader opinion/research. All in all, I thought it was well written as almost a memoir of the author's own anxiety and it's one I'd recommend reading in that way, rather than as a guidebook. Nevertheless, I also think it could be a good insight into what anxiety is like and how it takes over for those who don't experience it. Some of the stories got a very visceral reaction from me and could offer a deep look at the many ways it manifested in this one person's experience.

Relatable and brutally honest. This is the kind of self help I need in my life. Claire’s storytelling ability and dark humour absolutely make this book and I loved listening to the audiobook version. It is a very different look on mental health than what I have read before but it works so well, it is sure to be a success