Hi, Anxiety: Life With a Bad Case of Nerves

Written by Kat Kinsman

Narrated by Kat Kinsman

Joining the ranks of such acclaimed accounts as Manic, Brain on Fire, and Monkey Mind, a deeply personal, funny, and sometimes painful look at anxiety and its impact from writer and commentator Kat Kinsman.

Feeling anxious? Can’t sleep because your brain won’t stop recycling thoughts? Unable to make a decision because you're too afraid you’ll make the wrong one? You’re not alone.

In Hi, Anxiety, beloved food writer, editor, and commentator Kat Kinsman expands on the high profile pieces she wrote for CNN.com about depression, and its wicked cousin, anxiety. Taking us back to her adolescence, when she was diagnosed with depression at fourteen, Kat speaks eloquently with pathos and humor about her skin picking, hand flapping, “nervousness” that made her the recipient of many a harsh taunt. With her mother also gripped by depression and health issues throughout her life, Kat came to live in a constant state of unease—that she would fail, that she would never find love . . . that she would end up just like her mother.

Now, as a successful media personality, Kat still battles anxiety every day. That anxiety manifests in strange, and deeply personal ways. But as she found when she started to write about her struggles, Kat is not alone in feeling like the simple act of leaving the house, or getting a haircut can be crippling. And though periodic medication, counseling, a successful career and a happy marriage have brought her relief, the illness, because that is what anxiety is, remains.

Exploring how millions are affected anxiety, Hi, Anxiety is a clarion call for everyone—but especially women—struggling with this condition. Though she is a strong advocate for seeking medical intervention, Kinsman implores those suffering to come out of the shadows—to talk about their battle openly and honestly. With humor, bravery, and writing that brings bestsellers like Laurie Notaro and Jenny Lawson to mind, Hi, Anxiety tackles a difficult subject with amazing grace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Nov 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9780062643278

Kat Kinsman

Kat Kinsman is Senior Editor of Food and Drinks for Extra Crispy, a food website devoted to the joys of breakfast. She is the former editor at large and former editor in chief of Tasting Table and editor for CNN.com, where she was nominated for the James Beard Broadcast Award in the TV segment category and won the 2011 EPPY best food website for CNN’s Eatocracy. Kinsman is a frequent public speaker on the topics of food and mental health. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.

Reviews for Hi, Anxiety

[dalsegnoalfine · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While I appreciate the author tackling the subject of anxiety disorder from a very personal perspective and would probably enjoy reading her book, this audiobook edition leaves something to be desired. The sense of dread the author conveys in every single sentence is just to much to bear for more than a chapter. Her reading style may be on topic, but makes for some very depressing listening. So I'll give the print edition a try.

[seasonsoflove_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Kat Kinsman has been dealing with anxiety and depression in their myriad forms her whole life, from her mother's retreats to her silent bedroom, to her own fearful hidings under the bed covers. Now "out" about her anxiety, Kinsman is done hiding what she has always felt, and is sharing her story.


As someone who has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, having people be so public and honest about their own struggles with anxiety means a lot to me. Kinsman does not shy away from the frequently brutal truths about her life, and does a service to others through her truth.

I liked the way the book is structured, larger episodes interspersed with chapters about more specific fears, such as driving.

Kinsman has a nice, flowing style of writing that lends itself well to her storytelling.



It's not that I didn't like this aspect, but this is not an easy book to read. Sometimes I could feel Kinsman's anxiety right there with her, and had to step away from the book for a bit.


I have been reading and re reading a lot of books about anxiety lately, and this is another important addition to the canon.