Anxiety

This book offers a sweeping historical examination of anxiety, tracing fears, phobias, and neuroses from ancient civilizations to our current era. Sociologist Allan V. Horwitz presents a compelling paradox at the heart of the modern condition: why anxiety disorders are so prevalent in societies that are, by historical standards, remarkably safe and prosperous. He grounds his analysis in stark statistics, noting that nearly one in five people experiences an anxiety disorder annually, making this a defining mental health challenge of our time. The narrative explores how the very experience and definition of anxiety have transformed across different cultures and epochs.

Horwitz’s sociological perspective provides a crucial framework for understanding anxiety not just as a personal affliction but as a condition shaped by social, cultural, and medical forces. This approach is particularly illuminating for young adults navigating a world saturated with messages about mental health, helping them contextualize their own feelings within a broader historical landscape. The book moves beyond a purely clinical description to investigate why certain eras pathologize worry while others normalize it. Readers seeking to understand the roots of their own unease or the societal pressures that fuel modern anxiety will find this historical journey both validating and intellectually rich.