Emily
asked
Val Emmich:
Hello, Dear Evan Hansen was an amazing book! Do you have any tips for dealing with anxiety? By the way. You are one of my top three favorite authors.
Val Emmich
Thank you so much! Please check out my first book, The Reminders, and look out for my follow-up YA book next year.
So...I deal with anxiety every single day but it is getting better, slowly. I started psychotherapy a year ago and it's helped a lot. (Fun fact: I started going to therapy as research for writing the novel, because I wanted to know what Evan was feeling in those sessions, and then I stuck with it.). I also recently started medication for what is a larger mood disorder that I have. I've always been apprehensive about medication but I'm giving it a try. It's too early to tell if it's working.
Lastly, having a support system helps. A friend to hear you out. Parents, sometimes, although they can be a source of more anxiety. Even a pet helps, I find. Oh, and art: books, music, film, whatever.
Perhaps it will bring you some solace to hear that I am getting past it and you can, too. "The me I am is not the me I was." Hang in there.
So...I deal with anxiety every single day but it is getting better, slowly. I started psychotherapy a year ago and it's helped a lot. (Fun fact: I started going to therapy as research for writing the novel, because I wanted to know what Evan was feeling in those sessions, and then I stuck with it.). I also recently started medication for what is a larger mood disorder that I have. I've always been apprehensive about medication but I'm giving it a try. It's too early to tell if it's working.
Lastly, having a support system helps. A friend to hear you out. Parents, sometimes, although they can be a source of more anxiety. Even a pet helps, I find. Oh, and art: books, music, film, whatever.
Perhaps it will bring you some solace to hear that I am getting past it and you can, too. "The me I am is not the me I was." Hang in there.
More Answered Questions
Laura Cobrinik
asked
Val Emmich:
Val-- My question deals with the acknowledgements at the end of the book. I have been familiar with "Dear Evan Hansen" since its conception, i.e. one of my good friends is Dr. Patricia Dreyfuss, the mother of Laura Dreyfuss, who played the role of Zoe in the Original Broadway cast. Therefore I wonder why you did not "Thank" Ms. Dreyfuss ? I hope the next edition will include her name. Laura Cobrinik, Boonton, NJ
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