Book Review: Unf*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers by Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, CAN

Unfuck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers by Faith G. Harper

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Review is also available on my site: https://roxannacross.com/2025/07/23/b...

Harper’s self-help book is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcopy, Kindle, and audiobook, or at your local library through the Libby App. The audiobook is narrated by the author, although someone should have warned her that the sound quality is poor and offers disturbing echoes similar to being recorded in a restroom stall. Also, yes, by the title, one expects profanity to be part of the book; however, for profanity to overshadow the content? Not so much. Harper tries too hard to be edgy, taking pauses before dropping every F-bomb and every other swear word under the sun, reminding listeners of a toddler who has just learned her bad words and is super thrilled to use them. The gratuitous use of profanity hinders her ability to deliver a decent book. Her explanation for this:

“I have a PhD I can say f*ck whenever I want.”

Harper’s PhD has no relevance to her use of profanity. The writing style of the book is more akin to that of a teenager on a rampage than that of an accomplished professional. Furthermore, the book only offers a surface look at the main topics of mental health: Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-outs, and Triggers, mentioning common coping strategies for them. Covering the basics isn’t bad, but it might not be what readers or listeners were looking for when they picked up this book. Especially, when the opening line of the book is:

“You picked up this book because you have some unfucking to do.”

Therefore, not really unpacking the subjects above or providing substantial supportive evidence to her ramblings and profanities is thoughtless. The saving point is that she does, more than once, advise readers and listeners to seek professional help. The best advice Harper provides in the entire book.

Other helpful information, found amidst the many profanities, pertains to emotions and coping strategies. Harper explains that our emotions are supposed to last ninety seconds, and if the feelings last longer, then it becomes a mood when we are actively refreshing the emotion by thinking about it. She suggests that we focus on what we are feeling and explore those feelings, so that the emotion can pass and the mood can change. As for coping strategies, Harper suggests rehearsing them in a quiet place where we feel safe, calm, and relaxed. She also reminds us that when we try them for the first time, it can be difficult. A helpful tip: Write down the strategies that work for you on flashcards and carry them with you, so you can fall back on them later when you’re most stressed. She also recommended that we practice grounding exercises and mindfulness meditation. They have great ways to relieve anxiety, anger, diffuse freak-outs, help with depression, and grief.

The overuse of profanities, the lack of helpful information, and the poor audio quality make this a 1.5-star listen.



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