Coward - by Tim Clare (Hardcover)

About the Book

Tim Clare has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for over a decade. At their worst, his attacks would see him curled on the floor, screaming to his wife for help. When they became more than he and his family could manage, Tim made a promise to himself - he would try everything he could to get better, every method and medicine. In Coward, Tim Clare explores all the possible treatments for anxiety, from SSRIs to hypnosis, running to extreme diets. He interviews experts and becomes a guinea pig, testing their methods on himself. At the end of a year of many ups and downs, Tim discovers what helps him (and what doesn't), and what might help others. Most of all, he comes to rethink anxiety and encourages all of us to do the same.

Book Synopsis

Tim Clare has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for over a decade. At their worst, his attacks would see him curled on the floor, screaming to his wife for help. When they became more than he and his family could manage, Tim made a promise to himself - he would try everything he could to get better, every method and medicine.

In Coward, Tim Clare explores all the possible treatments for anxiety, from SSRIs to hypnosis, running to extreme diets. He interviews experts and becomes a guinea pig, testing their methods on himself. At the end of a year of many ups and downs, Tim discovers what helps him (and what doesn't), and what might help others. Most of all, he comes to rethink anxiety and encourages all of us to do the same.

Review Quotes

This is the best book I've ever read on anxiety, health and being an anxious person on this planet . . . [a] gift of a book

A rigorous, sceptical and jolly account of anxiety, its causes, and how it might be cured-- "The Times"

A clever blend of memoir, science and useful advice . . . what really resonates is his honest account of his own panic attacks and what it is like to try to come off sertraline . . . a brave and moving book - one that offers lots of practical help-- "Independent, Books of the Month"

Fascinating, thought-provoking, vulnerable and generous, Coward is an important book. I wish everyone would read it--CATHY RENTZENBRINK

Funny, fascinating, brilliant and brave, Coward isn't a self-help guide to beating anxiety - it's far more valuable than that--MELISSA HARRISON

In a space crowded with arrogant, dogmatic self-help, this is a story which actually delivers something useful. It's a meditation on the science and purpose of anxiety, its function and the disability it causes. It's reassuring and funny in equal measure--DR CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN

Such a tonic. Funny, honest, moving - meticulously researched. I'm learning loads. I think it will help a lot of people--NATHAN FILER

Tim Clare may call himself a coward but this brave and beautiful memoir proves he's anything but. This isn't a manifesto or self-help book - instead Coward is a darkly comic, deftly researched and devastatingly moving meditation on the pain and self-loathing of anxiety and the redemptive power of love to help us change our minds. This is a must-read for all of us trying to stay sane in an increasingly distressing world--SUSANNAH CAHALAN

About the Author

Tim Clare is an award-winning writer, poet and creative-writing podcaster. He is the author of We Can't All Be Astronauts and the novels The Honours and The Ice House. He has performed his work at festivals and clubs across the world, on BBC TV and radio. Tim has also written for the Guardian, Times, Independent and Big Issue, and presents the creative-writing podcast Death Of 1,000 Cuts. He is based in the UK.

@timclarepoet timclarepoet.co.uk