What do you think?
Rate this book
Fragile: Why we are feeling more stressed, anxious and overwhelmed than ever
Have we reached a point where anxiety is so common we consider it 'normal'? In this exploration of the rising anxiety epidemic, psychotherapist and bestselling author Stella O'Malley delves into why we are feeling more anxious, stressed and overwhelmed than ever.From looking at how our increasingly perfectionist and materialistic society is causing us to value all the wrong things, to practical tips for uncovering the roots of anxiety and strategies to ease it, this book is an essential tool for building resilience to stress.Anyone can experience anxiety at any time. Fragile arms us with the skills to move forward to a place where we can experience challenges to our mental health and feel adequately empowered to address them, allowing us to live calmer, more satisfying lives.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
15 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 14, 2020
Increasingly I have found that anxiety has become a topic of conversation and/or a lived experience for friends, family members, and other people I come into contact with.
I came across this book as it presented as being a very practical guide. I would highly recommend it. The author is indeed practical, although she clearly favours counselling/therapy as a means to unlocking certain situations. She is grounded and realistic.
I had already perceived that self-understanding is key to make most meaningful changes in mental health situations and that doing things differently is the second essential item (on the basis that if you keep on doing what you've always done you'll keep on getting what you've always got). The author is very much in this camp, and stresses that in the end, the individual with the anxiety is the person who must do the work to recover (but not in isolation, and not with a blame mentality). The author also stresses the need for kindness and self care and acceptance, and introduces various techniques to manage immediate panic attacks and more long term anxious feelings, as well as addressing various coping strategies people use in an attempt to avoid anxious feeling.
I listened to this on audible and personally found the narrator patronising and condescending - probably in an attempt to be kind and calm. Also, isn't the author Irish? So it seemed wierd having a seriously posh received English narration. Not a huge point, but it did occur to me a few times while I was listening.
Having listened, I will keep an eye out for a hard copy of this book, as I think the checklists and other suggestions would make a valuable resource.
I came across this book as it presented as being a very practical guide. I would highly recommend it. The author is indeed practical, although she clearly favours counselling/therapy as a means to unlocking certain situations. She is grounded and realistic.
I had already perceived that self-understanding is key to make most meaningful changes in mental health situations and that doing things differently is the second essential item (on the basis that if you keep on doing what you've always done you'll keep on getting what you've always got). The author is very much in this camp, and stresses that in the end, the individual with the anxiety is the person who must do the work to recover (but not in isolation, and not with a blame mentality). The author also stresses the need for kindness and self care and acceptance, and introduces various techniques to manage immediate panic attacks and more long term anxious feelings, as well as addressing various coping strategies people use in an attempt to avoid anxious feeling.
I listened to this on audible and personally found the narrator patronising and condescending - probably in an attempt to be kind and calm. Also, isn't the author Irish? So it seemed wierd having a seriously posh received English narration. Not a huge point, but it did occur to me a few times while I was listening.
Having listened, I will keep an eye out for a hard copy of this book, as I think the checklists and other suggestions would make a valuable resource.
January 15, 2021
Perhaps I like this because it confirms a lot of what I suspected, but I really think this is a marvellous book. It has a lot to it and therefore is suitable for many people. If you are interested in society and modern life you will find the chapters outlining the increase in victimhood, cancel culture, unhelpful slogans and consumerism engaging. If you struggle with anxiety (on any scale) I think you will find this book reassuring and actually full of practical tips. Although O'Malley is very clear there are not quick fixes to deep rooted problems, this could be really useful to help adjust a mindset that is making matters worse before seeking extra help. That said, there are many simple suggestions to reduce stress and anxiety in everyday life. The author is a psychotherapist and she peppers the book with case studies, recommendations, facts, quotes. It is a comprehensive look specifically at anxiety.
I listened to this as an audiobook and being honest with a paper copy I bet would have dipped into bits rather than take in the whole thing, but I am very glad I did as I would have missed out. The only downside to the audio book was that sections of instructions, tables or lists for example all get read to you and of course you probably don't need them at that precise moment.
I listened to this as an audiobook and being honest with a paper copy I bet would have dipped into bits rather than take in the whole thing, but I am very glad I did as I would have missed out. The only downside to the audio book was that sections of instructions, tables or lists for example all get read to you and of course you probably don't need them at that precise moment.
June 7, 2023
This offered me an insight into anxiety and different elements as someone who suffers with this it’s interesting to understand it better
February 24, 2025
3.5 stars
I think I wasn't exactly the target audience, but there were still points I could take away (primarily, that the amygdala can learn by experience only, so you have to force yourself to tolerate the anxiety-inducing situation to train it that public speaking is not going to kill you). It made me appreciate that I'm not as anxious as I could be, and there were parts I could recognise from my anxious friends, and there was a fair bit of level-headed common sense. Also, there was a portion on the snowflake generation and why she feels that trigger warnings are unhelpful, which I don't know to what extent I agree with, but really made me think about the tension between free speech and hate speech.
I think we fundamentally approach things from a different worldview (she is very 'religion is magical thinking') and there was a fair bit of 'never, ever do this DIY, a therapist is ESSENTIAL' which is, you know, so cheap and so easy. However, I will take the point that you can't retrain your brain/amygdala without giving it the uncomfortable experience and going 'look, you're fine' with me as something concretely useful.
I think I wasn't exactly the target audience, but there were still points I could take away (primarily, that the amygdala can learn by experience only, so you have to force yourself to tolerate the anxiety-inducing situation to train it that public speaking is not going to kill you). It made me appreciate that I'm not as anxious as I could be, and there were parts I could recognise from my anxious friends, and there was a fair bit of level-headed common sense. Also, there was a portion on the snowflake generation and why she feels that trigger warnings are unhelpful, which I don't know to what extent I agree with, but really made me think about the tension between free speech and hate speech.
I think we fundamentally approach things from a different worldview (she is very 'religion is magical thinking') and there was a fair bit of 'never, ever do this DIY, a therapist is ESSENTIAL' which is, you know, so cheap and so easy. However, I will take the point that you can't retrain your brain/amygdala without giving it the uncomfortable experience and going 'look, you're fine' with me as something concretely useful.
February 24, 2021
While this is an insightful and surprisingly easy to read book given the complexity of the subject matter, I would've liked more in the ways of processes to identify the causes of anxiety and stress and different approaches to dealing with it than the general categories provided. I know it is best to seek professional help but there are situations and cases that are minor enough that this may be overkill, and I'm sure there's something to be said for helping yourself as much as you can, which O'Malley does cover a little. This aside, this was very informative and gives a starting point for looking at your own mental health and approach to different aspects of modern life. O'Malley clearly has an ease and understanding with the subject so she is able to reduce the technical aspects down to the simple ideas so anyone can understand them, which is an important first step.
June 11, 2020
A very helpful and informative book about anxiety and stress and how to not only accept that we will feel this way but it also provides very helpful steps on how we can not only reduce our anxiety and stress but how to manage our emotions and mental health when we are feeling anxious and/or stressed. This book helps to take the stigma out of anxiety issues and helps sufferers realise its very common to have anxiety and that usually the best way to deal with what causes your anxiety is to take steps to deal with these triggers instead of avoiding them. #stellao'malley #fragile #goodreads #litsy #tea_sipping_bookworm #bookstagram #bookqueen #amazon#kindle
December 24, 2020
I think this book lends itself to the audio format, like most non fiction. Or at least I find I prefer a non fiction audio experience as it feels more like a podcast.
This book felt so poignant for now, and helped me to assess my feelings/conceptions and think about some little changes I can make to work towards a less stressful life.
A mixture of practical tips and theory. Some
Challenging ideas and others already know. But enjoyable.
This book felt so poignant for now, and helped me to assess my feelings/conceptions and think about some little changes I can make to work towards a less stressful life.
A mixture of practical tips and theory. Some
Challenging ideas and others already know. But enjoyable.
March 16, 2021
I’m actually reading this for a book club so currently not in a state of anxiety.
I thought it was well written, straight forward and easy to understand and relate to.
There was several things I do that I didn’t realise could be linked to anxiety so inspite of feeling like I didn’t’need� to read it. It was actually really helpful.
Great for anxiety/stress sufferers and also people who need to tweak their life a little.
I thought it was well written, straight forward and easy to understand and relate to.
There was several things I do that I didn’t realise could be linked to anxiety so inspite of feeling like I didn’t’need� to read it. It was actually really helpful.
Great for anxiety/stress sufferers and also people who need to tweak their life a little.
March 13, 2021
I read this book as part of my book club readings. It's a good enough book. If you have read a lot of personal development or self help books, you won't find any new information here. However, some of the stories are interesting and sometimes it just helps to read about real stories of people who suffer with stress; I found most of the stories relatable.
August 2, 2020
Lots of sensible advice, lots of obvious points that you know in your heart but don't really realise until you're told them outright. Hired from the library as an audiobook, but one I probably need to read again IRL to take in more of the information.
February 2, 2021
It wasn't for me. Too boring.
August 16, 2021
Absolutely fantastic! Real and relatable with great techniques for the everyday person suffering with stress and anxiety. I loved Stella’s frankness, just what I needed.
September 29, 2024
The first book I've read on anxiety and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's so gentle and helpful. I'll keep this on my shelf and refer back often I feel 💛
February 22, 2021
Really insightful however I was only able to listen to the book. I was on able to get the physical book so I could see the steps and flow charts the book refers to.
Read
April 18, 2019Really, really want to read this.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.