There's a book that's critical to understanding anxiety, a 17th-century book, 'The Anatomy of Melancholy,' by Robert Burton. I wanted to write something like that.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
For as long as I can remember I have suffered from a deep feeling of anxiety which I have tried to express in my art.
The hardest thing to write was explaining what anxiety feels like. Every time I'd try to really write about what it feels like to have an anxiety attack, I would actually have an anxiety attack. It was good material but so incredibly uncomfortable.
I've always been interested in intellectual history and in psychology, and anxiety is obviously something that's been a big part of my life.
I always have a book that I write during competition. I need it with me, just to read back and reflect and look forward. If I'm feeling anxious, it helps me.
I tend to write about my anxieties - it's what I'm afraid will happen. And I write a story working it out.
When I write, I try to think back to what I was afraid of or what was scary to me, and try to put those feelings into books.
I'm not writing just about melancholy stuff anymore, I made a point to cover a wide range of emotions.
I wanted to put a human face on anxiety disorders. I thought people who suffer from anxiety might recognize themselves and gain some comfort from my story and for those who don't suffer from anxiety disorders gain some understanding.
Dealing with chronic anxiety has taught me to better understand the nuances of mental illness and the very individual nature of it.
That's why I haven't been so anxious. But now, lots of people write and say, 'I want to find out what you're doing.' So I know that this book will enlighten them.
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