Unfuck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-outs, and Triggers
by Dr. Faith G. Harper Author
The Wall Street Journal Bestseller that helps us feel better every day with neuroscience and humor.
Our brains are doing our best to help us out, but they can be real assholes sometimes. Sometimes it seems like your own brain is out to get you—melting down in the middle of the grocery store, picking fights with your date, getting you addicted to something, or shutting down completely at the worst possible moments. You already told your brain firmly that it isn't good to do these things. But your brain has a mind of its own. That's where this book comes in. With humor, patience, and lots of swearing, Dr. Faith shows you the science behind what's going on in your skull and talks you through the process of retraining your brain to respond appropriately to the non-emergencies of everyday life. If you're working to deal with old traumas, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, or addiction, or if you just want to have a more measured and chill response to situations you face all the time, this book can help you put the pieces of the puzzle together and get your life and brain back.
Here's an excerpt from the book:
Knowing what’s going on up in your brain is HUGE. So much of how we interact with the world around us is a completely normal response when we take into account our past experiences and how our brains work.
• Freaking the fuck out
• Avoiding important shit we need to take care of
• Feeling pissed off all the time
• Being a dick to people we care about
• Putting shit in our bodies that we know isn’t good for us
• Doing shit we know is dumb or pointless
None of these things are fucking helpful. But they all make sense.Your brain has adapted to the circumstances in your life and started doing things to protect you, bless it. It’s not TRYING to fuck you over (even though it totally is, at times).
As we navigate the world, nasty shit happens. The brain stores info about the nasty shit to try to avoid it in the future. Sometimes these responses are helpful. Sometimes the responses become a bigger problem than the actual problem was. It’s called a trauma reaction.
And even if you aren’t dealing with a specific trauma? Adaptive coping strategies, bad habits, and funky behaviors all wire in similar ways. And research is showing that these issues are actually some of the easier ones to treat in therapy … if we address what’s really going on, rather than just the symptoms.
Audiobook listeners (and everyone else): here are the recommended reading resources at the end of the book.
Did you know that there's a workbook to go with this book? Well, there is!
Also, check out the Spanish-language version coming out in 2020!
Book trailer:
Faith reading from the book:
by Dr. Faith G. Harper Author
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Comments & Reviews
"A trove of life changing information. Seriously, I have learned the mostly profoundly informative things from this little book. There’s a clinical breakdown but it’s done so in a way that perfectly balances “there is something chemically/biological real and serious going on in your head but it’s not “all in your head” with keeping it understandable, digestible, and attention holding. I also purchased the workbook but this alone is and was an eye opening and life changing book for me. AHEN made me go “Aha! That makes so much sense!” From anger, to PTSD, anxiety, etc this book has been so helpful. This is a resource that anyone who’s struggling with mental health should have!"
"Some peeps need an extra helping of humor/F-bombs to dive into the looming topic of anxiety, and Unfuck Your Brain is definitely one of the more boisterous, successful self-help hits out there. “The author/doctor writes how I talk in everyday life, with gritty analogies” writes one reviewer of the 4.6-star rated book, which was written by Dr. Faith G. Harper, a licensed professional counselor, certified sexologist, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and certified applied clinical nutritionist (amongst other impressive credentials). “She does a wonderful job providing a crash course on what someone is going through when they are having panic attacks and then supplements facts with resources in case you wanted to learn more."
"Dr. Faith dives into how to retrain your brain to respond in ways that are not problematic to your daily life. . . . She helps her readers in understanding mindfulness techniques and the effective way to apply them to their lives."
"This book changed my world! It helped me see mental illness as a superpower instead of a flaw. ...
The author talks to you in a real way, not like a doctor or mental health professional (even though that's what she is), which makes all the difference for me, too."
http://workbrighter.co/bookshelf/#tab-con-1
"Unfuck Your Brain does it best to help sufferers from mental health issues by creating understanding and confidence."
http://booksincharacter.com/book-review/unfuck-your-brain-by-faith-g-harper/
"Dr. Faith Harper explains why your brain is causing anxiety and what you can do to rewire it. With humor and grace, you'll be laughing your way through this one."
https://www.women.com/sophiematthews/lists/social-anxiety-self-help-book-082918
"Dr. Faith Harper gives advice and tips to cope with mental health issues. From panic attacks to addiction, our mental health can be a jumble of sorts. Dr. Faith understands this, so she's created a way to ""retrain your brain"" to react appropriately to the non-emergencies."
https://www.women.com/LizVazquez/lists/coping-with-anxiety-books
"Author Faith Harper, a therapist, sexologist, and clinical nutritionist, breaks down the way our brains work into simple terms anyone can grasp, then shows how things go wrong, be it from trauma, chemical imbalance, or other factors. And then? Let the unf#ckening begin!
...
Harper empowers readers to make these decisions in their own best interest, which in itself is a vital step on the way to feeling better."
http://www.populist.com/24.11.seggel.html
"This is my favorite resource so far, and I’m even creating a group therapy session at work based on the topics throughout it!"
http://thecraftingcounselor.com/mental-health-resources-books
"This is an incredible book for anyone trying to figure out how to deal with anxiety, depression, trauma and other forms of mental illness. You'll learn how trauma affects the brain and what you have to do to heal and move forward."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzHUb34IIQ4&t=169s
"tackles every major asshole in your mind: depression, anxiety, anger, grief, addiction, and that biggest dick of all– trauma....I give it two enthusiastic middle fingers up!"
https://nweeziespeakeasy.com/2018/05/09/book-review-unfuck-your-brain
While Unfuck Your Brain won’t replace therapy, it will help to ground in mental health practices that offer a better life. Great work all around, even though it made for awkward reading at a PTA meeting.
http://andersonvision.com/andersonvision-reads-unfuck-your-brain
A no-nonsense and helpful guide on how to cope with a slew of mental-health issues that are hellbent on ruining the lives of millions of people worldwide.
https://bookauthority.org/book/Unfuck-Your-Brain/1621063046
"...one of those rare books that deals with the issue by being straightforward, normal, and actually pretty funny. "
https://theturnaroundblog.com/2017/12/08/our-2017-non-fiction-favourites/
"...it is written in such an unconventional manner, going against what one expects a psychology book to “sound” like. The language isn’t just for effect, but makes the author relatable, unique, and much-needed comic relief for what can be thoroughly harrowing psychological issues."
http://portlandbookreview.com/2017/11/unfuck-your-brain/
Dr Faith Harper delivers a fun and insightful read dealing with and getting over depression and/or anxiety. Not to mention it’s fucking hilarious!
http://samanthaheuwagen.com/post/166053029330/unfuckyourbrain
(starred review) ".Full of useful suggestions for dealing with the mind-messes commonly caused by trauma and other mishaps in the past."
"Dr. Faith is a hoot with heart, and her guide is full of workable, professional advice, as well as it is replete with sarcasm, good humor, and grace."
https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/unfuck-your-brain/
"...offers hope that learning the what’s and how’s of it all can begin a process of regaining a sense of agency in your life."
http://www.mentalhealthportland.org/unfuck-your-brain-using-science-to-get-over-anxiety-depression-anger-freak-outs-and-triggers/
"Desde el estrés post traumático a la depresión, la ansiedad o la ira, pasando por el proceso de duelo, describe y analiza los factores que los pueden desencadenarlos y ofrece herramientas que van desde la meditación o el mindfulness hasta el cuidado de la alimentación para aliviarlos."
["From post-traumatic stress to depression, anxiety or anger, through the grieving process, describes and analyzes the factors that can trigger them and offers tools ranging from meditation or mindfulness to caring for food to relieve them."]
http://stafmagazine.com/news/unfuck-your-brain
"Right out of the gate, I'm hooked on Dr. Faith G. Harper's informal writing style and down-to-earth, DIY solutions to overwhelming brain snafus. ... Trust me, buy this book for yourself and for a loved one."
http://razorcake.org/razorcake-98/
"...breaks down the complex brain and its weird tendencies into something that is understandable."
http://neiuindependent.org/7671/arts-life/unfck-your-brain-using-science-a-review/
"Dr. Harper's writing style definitely held my attention and made me laugh many times while still informing me about some complicated neuroscience and health related topics. This book is a wonderful change from all the dry, dull, writing I usually read on a daily basis. I encourage everyone dealing with any of these issues or who who is interested in becoming updated in the recent neuroscience research to purchase a copy and start reading it today."
Allen Novian PhD, LMFT, LPC-S
Adjunct Professor St. Mary's University Counselor Education and Supervision Program
Owner of Integrative Counseling & Neurofeedback Solutions