Emily Ford tells a compelling story of how, at age 27, she has finally learned to cope with the social anxiety disorder that has plagued her for most of her life. She describes her family, high school, and college experiences, and the severe depression, compulsive behaviors, and eating disorders that also afflicted her. A clear expository text that gives facts about the disorder and its treatment is interspersed with the narrative. It explains that these separate mental illnesses can go hand in hand with social anxiety disorder, but that everyone who suffers from social anxiety does not necessarily also exhibit signs of other mental illnesses. Ford is equally forthcoming about the low she reached before she sought professional help and her success in controlling her symptoms with a combination of medications and the support of an excellent therapist. An exceptional choice for students and teachers alike, this book is a useful and easy-to-use resource and a gripping memoir.