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Book Review: Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Rae Swiggett & Giveaway

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Many of us as adults live and deal with fear, anxiety and social phobia but for a teenager these afflictions can be even more devastating. In Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia, Chelsea Rae Swiggett shares her very personal journey through trying to be normal but never quite getting there.

I found I was able to really relate to Chelsea because I deal with fear and anxiety myself. I’ve never been socially phobic though or worried what people thought and reading her thoughts on it really makes your heart break. How awful it is to be so constantly worried about how people are seeing you. In her own words, she says…

‘I’m the type of person who gets embarrassed —not just red-faced embarrassed, but moments of utter humiliation where I feel like every person in the room is watching, staring, criticizing, laughing, and generally hating me — over things like: a) breathing, b) eating, c) walking, and d) being.’ (pg 27)

Chelsea has an overwhelming fear of school – she tried getting out of going as often as she could. Her days were full of anxiety over trying to not call attention to herself and being laughed at for being awkward and different. She just never felt like she fit in. She kept asking to be home schooled and eventually she is which ends up being the one thing that helps her the most. She also has an overwhelming fear of death which I can completely relate to. I think most people probably do but it’s the extent to which we let the fear control us that ultimately matters.

Chelsea also struggled with her weight. Being called fat numerous times in school led her to feel as though she had to change herself. She spent a lot of time controlling the amount of calories she took in and basically for the most part was starving herself in an attempt to change her image. I think this need for control over her eating is one of the ways in which she can have control over something thereby reducing her anxiety if only a little.

There are also her issues with her mother’s drinking throughout her childhood into her teen years. There was always the happy/sad times, the worry over her mother getting killed while drinking and then later always the fear of her going back to drinking. Again this could have had a huge impact on Chelsea’s anxieties and fear. Very often things from our childhood will cause us to be anxious, etc into adulthood without us ever realizing it and Chelsea is still dealing with the effects of this.

I really give Chelsea credit for sharing her story. This is a difficult one to share I think because ultimately these issues are extremely personal and normally ones we all go to all lengths to hide. By sharing this story with other teens, Chelsea is opening a door for them to understand themselves a little better and realize that they are not alone in their fears and anxieties.

Chelsea now shares a common interest with many of us and reviews books over at a blog called The Page Flipper. She’s planning on soon heading to college to major in English and continue on in her love of books and writing. What she hopes…

‘…if there’s on thing I could ever inspire in someone with my words. it would be to find themselves and what they love and never, ever, no matter what anyone says, give up on it.’ (pg 151)

I read Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Rae Swiggett for the Louder Than Words book tour with TLC Book Tours. This was the third and final book I’m reviewing for this tour and again I’d like to stress how important I think these books are for young people. These books give them hope – let them know that they are not alone in whatever issues they may be facing. Check out the Louder Than Words website and Chelsea’s page there. Deborah Reber, editor of the Louder Than Words memoirs has a popular blog for girls that you should check out as well called Smart Girls Know. If you’re a teen who has their own story to submit you can do so here. Be sure to check out all the other tour stops for these books here.


Disclosure: My review copy of Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Rae Swiggett provided by TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Rae Swiggett to share with one of my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address please. Entries without will be deleted.
  • For 2 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner of Rae on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Be sure to check out the giveaway for 1 copy of Alexis here and Hannah here and 1 full set of all three books: Alexis, Hannah & Rae being given away here as well. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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  3. No need to enter me, I don't think I could read this book. I can't believe how much my teenage years mirror hers. That's scary. I'm glad she wrote this book and hope it helps many people.

  4. I also feel that I could somewhat relate with Chelsea, and think this story sounds particularly interesting. Phobia's like that are such weird things, and it's almost like no one would never know what is going on in your head when you have them. I wonder just how many of the people we know in our real lives have these issues. Great review, Dar! It sounds like this book really struck a nerve with you.

  5. I really want to read this one! Please enter me in the giveaway! emilyjoymitchell at gmail dot com

  9. Dar….great review!! I so want to read this book…it's on my wishlist, so I would love a chance to win it.

    k9kutter64AThotmailDOTcom

  10. I remember having a hard time in school over similar situations. I don't remember fearing school and trying to get out of it whenever I could, but it wasn't very pleasant for me until I got to high school. HS was no where near as bad as middle school, which seemed to be the cursed years for me. However, I dealt with the opposite situation of being called bulimic and anorexic because I was prone to fainting spells and was always really small.

  11. As someone who has suffered with anxiety for many years I would love to read someone elses story and learn how she has coped and gotten through her battles. Thanks for entering me into this giveaway.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail(dot)com

  16. This is a topic with which I am familiar because I have family members with social phobia/anxiety, so I would really love to read her true story.

    Thanks,

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

  20. This is something I've struggled with all my life. I'd love the chance to read how Chelsea dealt with it.

    Thanks! :0)
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com