Bring On Lemons

Live your life—don’t fear it!  This is the moral of   Afraid of Everything  by Karen Jones Gowen.   Gowen brought me into the frustrating world of  anxiety disorder with her detailed description of Helena’s thought process.  The opening chapters of the book vividly describe a level of anxiety that left me amazed that Helena Carr ever held a position as a labor nurse in a hospital, and even more shocked that she’d even want to attempt to return after a major crisis that nearly cost a patient her life.  Every single act, every decision Helena makes is controlled by her anxiety and concern.   Should she call the realtor?  Should she see the therapist?  Should she attend her neighbors’ backyard party?  Should she call her father?  Should she continue to see the therapist?  Should she have gone to see her mother sooner?  Should she sell her house?  Should she go visit her daughter?  Should she move to Gua...