5 stars
Date of review: March 31, 2025
This is an extremely powerful and, in some ways, life-changing book that offers a revolutionary perspective on anxiety – or, as the author reframes it, “alarm”. I found his approach deeply compelling, particularly in how he connects anxiety to the body, the nervous system, and our younger, inner selves, weaving these elements into a framework for healing. While the writing is very repetitive, I actually found this to be helpful rather than frustrating, as it mirrors the repetitive nature of anxious thoughts and provides reinforcement for the book’s core concepts. I took extensive notes while reading and appreciated the richness of ideas, though I can see how, had I read this a few years ago, I may have struggled to fully grasp the concepts or apply them to healing anxiety. That’s why I would recommend reading more on somatic approaches to trauma and anxiety first, to build familiarity with body-centered perspectives on mental health. Given my own current research into somatic therapies, I’m now more receptive to ideas like Kennedy’s, but I’d suggest easing into this book to get the most out of it – it could sound a bit abstract otherwise. Overall, this is a deeply insightful book for those ready to engage with anxiety through the lens of body and mind integration. I’d definitely give it 5 stars!
The Anxiety Prescription by Dr. Russell Kennedy is available to purchase from Amazon UK
