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Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear
Do you or someone you love suffer from "bad nerves"?
•Denise is constantly on edge. She's convinced something bad is going to happen.
•Ruth will drive an hour out of her way to avoid driving over a bridge. When she has to do it, her chest thumps, her heart starts racing, and she breaks out in a sweat. She's beginning to think she shouldn't leave her house.
•Bernice hasn't slept in two months for fear that the witch is going to ride her again.
What do these women have in common? They are struggling with crippling anxiety disorders.
Thousands of Black women suffer from anxiety. What's worse is that many of us have been raised to believe we are Strong Black Women and that seeking help shows weakness. So we often turn to dangerous quick fixes that only exacerbate the problem -- like overeating and drug and alcohol abuse -- or we deny that we have problems at all.
In Soothe Your Nerves, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett explains which factors can contribute to anxiety, panic, and fear in Black women and offers a range of healing methods that will help you or a loved one reclaim your life.
Here finally is a blueprint for understanding and overcoming anxiety from a psychological, spiritual, and Black perspective.
•Denise is constantly on edge. She's convinced something bad is going to happen.
•Ruth will drive an hour out of her way to avoid driving over a bridge. When she has to do it, her chest thumps, her heart starts racing, and she breaks out in a sweat. She's beginning to think she shouldn't leave her house.
•Bernice hasn't slept in two months for fear that the witch is going to ride her again.
What do these women have in common? They are struggling with crippling anxiety disorders.
Thousands of Black women suffer from anxiety. What's worse is that many of us have been raised to believe we are Strong Black Women and that seeking help shows weakness. So we often turn to dangerous quick fixes that only exacerbate the problem -- like overeating and drug and alcohol abuse -- or we deny that we have problems at all.
In Soothe Your Nerves, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett explains which factors can contribute to anxiety, panic, and fear in Black women and offers a range of healing methods that will help you or a loved one reclaim your life.
Here finally is a blueprint for understanding and overcoming anxiety from a psychological, spiritual, and Black perspective.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2003
156 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 28, 2022
i recommend this to all black people regardless of gender, and regardless of whether you have anxiety, but the unyielding centering of black women with chronic anxiety, panic attacks, and/or OCD is the power of this book. it is not a general discussion of anxiety with added-on parts about black women's experience. it is written for black women. a version that addresses black queer, trans, & incarcerated specific experiences of anxiety, panic, & fear would be so great (Plug for the trauma-informed Black Queer Healing by Quinn Gee Edwards). a lot of the therapeutic approach is literally rooted in black women's literary heritage (Audre Lorde in particular is a constant in the book). Accessible, culturally competent straightforward about how anxiety can be a manageable problem and doesn't have to be an eternal cross to black women to bear. incredibly competent review of drugs and unpacking stigma about drugs. fits well into any library concerned with black liberation/the black radical tradition/abolition.
did-not-finish
June 28, 2023DNF @ 54%. A great beginner book to anxiety and mental health. Discusses treatments, causes and provides real life examples of what anxiety could look like in black women.
I am already familiar with the content in this book. The advice or treatments suggested mostly centers on working with a mental health professional and a prescribing physician. I expected something different from this book like most of the advice discussing or exploring specific meditating exercises and other non medicinal concepts that help w reducing anxiety.
Still a good foundation book though. There is some fatphobia and a little eyebrow raises here & there but that’s expected as the book is a bit older and dates.
I am already familiar with the content in this book. The advice or treatments suggested mostly centers on working with a mental health professional and a prescribing physician. I expected something different from this book like most of the advice discussing or exploring specific meditating exercises and other non medicinal concepts that help w reducing anxiety.
Still a good foundation book though. There is some fatphobia and a little eyebrow raises here & there but that’s expected as the book is a bit older and dates.
June 4, 2023
Too spiritual for me
It was okay. The organization starts off kind of slow, with too many references to later parts of the book. The description didn't note in any way that the crux of this book would be based on Christianity and its role as a supposed pillar of a Black woman's anxiety. If I'd known, I likely wouldn't have bought it. It has some decent tips, but primarily argues for the use of cognitive behavior therapy and religious faith. I'm interested in the former, not so much the latter.
It was okay. The organization starts off kind of slow, with too many references to later parts of the book. The description didn't note in any way that the crux of this book would be based on Christianity and its role as a supposed pillar of a Black woman's anxiety. If I'd known, I likely wouldn't have bought it. It has some decent tips, but primarily argues for the use of cognitive behavior therapy and religious faith. I'm interested in the former, not so much the latter.
June 11, 2023
5 stars ⭐️ ! I’m already a huge advocate for black folks going to therapy. Dr. Angela covers everything down to how to help a loved one who is struggling with mental health issues. I definitely picked up a few things to try out and pass along.
September 25, 2025
Angela Neal-Barnett’s Soothe Your Nerves is an absolute must-read for any Black woman who has ever felt trapped by anxiety, panic, or constant fear. What makes this book stand out is how deeply it validates experiences that are too often dismissed or ignored. Neal-Barnett doesn’t approach anxiety from a generic perspective—she acknowledges the cultural, social, and historical pressures that weigh heavily on Black women, especially the expectation to always be “strong.” Seeing those realities named on the page felt both eye-opening and healing.
The book is a blend of compassion, practical strategies, and cultural insight. Neal-Barnett clearly explains the different types of anxiety, the physical and emotional toll they can take, and the ways they often show up in daily life. She also provides realistic, step-by-step tools for managing fear and panic—whether through therapy, lifestyle changes, or spiritual practices—while weaving in case studies that make the guidance feel personal and relatable. I especially appreciated how she integrates spirituality and faith without oversimplifying; it’s presented as one tool among many, which makes the book feel inclusive and flexible.
Some references are a little dated, but the wisdom in these pages is timeless. The honesty, cultural awareness, and practical advice make this book so much more than a self-help guide—it feels like having a wise, understanding mentor walking beside you. For Black women who have been told to “just pray about it” or to hide their struggles behind strength, this book is revolutionary.
Soothe Your Nerves is not just about coping with anxiety—it’s about reclaiming your peace and recognizing that you deserve it. I would recommend it not only to Black women navigating fear and panic, but also to friends, families, and therapists who want to better understand and support them. This is one of those rare books I wish I had years ago, and one I’ll return to often.
The book is a blend of compassion, practical strategies, and cultural insight. Neal-Barnett clearly explains the different types of anxiety, the physical and emotional toll they can take, and the ways they often show up in daily life. She also provides realistic, step-by-step tools for managing fear and panic—whether through therapy, lifestyle changes, or spiritual practices—while weaving in case studies that make the guidance feel personal and relatable. I especially appreciated how she integrates spirituality and faith without oversimplifying; it’s presented as one tool among many, which makes the book feel inclusive and flexible.
Some references are a little dated, but the wisdom in these pages is timeless. The honesty, cultural awareness, and practical advice make this book so much more than a self-help guide—it feels like having a wise, understanding mentor walking beside you. For Black women who have been told to “just pray about it” or to hide their struggles behind strength, this book is revolutionary.
Soothe Your Nerves is not just about coping with anxiety—it’s about reclaiming your peace and recognizing that you deserve it. I would recommend it not only to Black women navigating fear and panic, but also to friends, families, and therapists who want to better understand and support them. This is one of those rare books I wish I had years ago, and one I’ll return to often.
April 21, 2024
I appreciated the simplicity and clarity of the details in this book. Not an easy topic to cover and the author made it accessible and engaging for those not otherwise familiar with the symptoms and care of mental health issues. It’s ok to not be ok. Help is available.
It’s a bit dated and can feel too cut and dry in some sections but a good introduction for discussing stress, anxiety, and depression in black women. The description of types of treatments, medications, and therapy options is helpful.
To get the most of the text, I’d pair some of the passages with experts from Bell Hooks and more modern language about mental health care.
It’s a bit dated and can feel too cut and dry in some sections but a good introduction for discussing stress, anxiety, and depression in black women. The description of types of treatments, medications, and therapy options is helpful.
To get the most of the text, I’d pair some of the passages with experts from Bell Hooks and more modern language about mental health care.
August 27, 2023
As a black woman with anxiety, I really enjoyed reading this book. I appreciated the way Dr. Neal-Barnett provided examples of people who struggled with anxiety, panic, and fear. She gave detailed instructions on how each woman was able to prevail and thrive. I loved how she emphasized the importance of therapy in the black community. She also had a chapter that is helpful for family and friends. She also provides great books, websites and organizations to help black women continue to move forward in their healing journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
A Must Read for Black Women
This book helped me realize so much about myself. I feel that Black Women are viewed as the STRONG ONE but many are that way because they were put in positions to be STRONG all the time (survival mode). I am happy to have taken off the “cape” and in Therapy. Learning and loving myself more and putting myself first. Happy reading Ladies!!!
This book helped me realize so much about myself. I feel that Black Women are viewed as the STRONG ONE but many are that way because they were put in positions to be STRONG all the time (survival mode). I am happy to have taken off the “cape” and in Therapy. Learning and loving myself more and putting myself first. Happy reading Ladies!!!
April 23, 2025
amazing, amazing, amazing! such a good book for black women struggling to navigate dealing with anxiety or finding out if you have it. the book covers so many potential triggers or experiences of anxiety that are most commonly experienced by black women. also she provides resources on how to receive help on treatment/ therapy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2021
Good read! A friend recommended this book to me and I couldn't put it down. Great tips on how to soothe one's nerves! The stories shared we can all relate to in some way. Perception is everything!! Anxiety, panic and fear may not be curable yet they can all be controlled.
October 12, 2022
Great book. I wish I would have found this book a few years back but it came right on time. Alot of useful information for anxious black women that want to break through the mental chains of anxiety. I've read alot of books on anxiety... so far this has been the best one.
January 20, 2023
A Must Read!!
Phenomenal! Nicely written! A great read for all stakeholders - women and their families, friends, communities, and colleagues!!!
Will be recommending it to many people and families.
Phenomenal! Nicely written! A great read for all stakeholders - women and their families, friends, communities, and colleagues!!!
Will be recommending it to many people and families.
Read
May 21, 2020It gives language to mental health struggles to a culture that doesn’t inherently speak in clinical terms. Very normalizing, with practical strategies for recovering.
February 24, 2021
some good stuff, but very therapy (CBT) oriented, not so much self-help.
Basically, she gives you all the reasons why you should go to therapy or start/join a support group.
Basically, she gives you all the reasons why you should go to therapy or start/join a support group.
January 5, 2022
Face your fears
This is a great resource for black women to face their fears and anxieties. It brings me closer and closer to confronting my fears and anxiety! Good read.
This is a great resource for black women to face their fears and anxieties. It brings me closer and closer to confronting my fears and anxiety! Good read.
October 14, 2023
It took me a long time to finish reading this book because honestly there was so much to unpack. But I highly recommend this book, it was very eye opening and insightful.
December 11, 2023
Absolutely wonderful. So informative and almost like it takes the locks off of all the chains in your mind as a black woman so you can start changing.
January 10, 2024
Dr. Neal-Barnett beautifully describes anxious black women.. each person she mentions in the book feels like I know them all.
June 25, 2024
very informative but not much of a guide as it is an intensive lecture
May 28, 2019
"I need a book for Black women with anxiety"
This is a great book for anyone from Black women who have just named their anxiety to those who need a refresher course. It gives practical skills in familiar language. Highly recommend
This is a great book for anyone from Black women who have just named their anxiety to those who need a refresher course. It gives practical skills in familiar language. Highly recommend
August 25, 2019
I'll have to revisit this one. It was boring to me though it had some good points.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews