Think, Rethink, Panic: How to Survive Your Brain (Barely) by Joshua Ericson is a hilariously chaotic exploration of the overthinking mind. Ericson’s writing is a blend of humor, vulnerability, and sharp insight, making this an interesting take on the complexities of living with anxiety, self-doubt, and the constant spiral of over-analysis. The book is structured as a series of chapters that examine various aspects of overthinking, from social interactions and relationships to the existential dread of unread texts and the horrors of social media. Ericson’s use of skits, imagined scenarios, and witty commentary keeps the tone light while addressing heavy topics. Ericson captures the essence of overthinking with precision, offering readers a mirror to their spirals and insecurities. Whether it’s decoding a two-word text or replaying a conversation from years ago, the author’s experiences will be universal to anyone who has ever second-guessed themselves.

While the book doesn’t offer solutions or a step-by-step guide to overcoming overthinking, it provides validation and perspective. Joshua Ericson’s message is clear: you’re not alone in the chaos, and sometimes simply acknowledging the spiral is enough to take a breath and move forward. The humor is sharp, but it never undermines the emotional depth of the narrative. Ericson balances the comedic elements with moments of introspection. Think, Rethink, Panic is perfect for readers who enjoy humor with heart and want to feel seen in their struggles. Ericson masterfully transforms vulnerability into connection, and it’s a must-read for anyone who has ever felt trapped in their own mind.

Think, Rethink, Panic by Joshua Ericson is for people who do just that—overanalyze their every word and action. Ericson writes from his own experience. He’s not a mental health expert, but he lives with the emotional conditions that he addresses in this book. Specifically, questioning everything he says, wondering if it will come back to haunt him. He also writes about overthinking other people’s communications, such as the person who used two exclamation points yesterday and only one today. Ericson writes that even compliments can cause him anxiety, wondering exactly what the person meant. But the author doesn’t only address problems; he also provides workable and effective solutions. Chapter titles include People: Do I HAVE to Talk to Them?, Work Hard, Panic Harder, and Don’t Read the Comment Section, which is about posting on social media. Much of the book consists of hypothetical discussions between different parts of Ericson’s brain, each part arguing for its own viewpoint. The final chapter is A Day in the Life, where Ericson walks readers through a day and gives them an inside view of a typical, tortured day in his life.

I wish I had read this book when I was younger, including when I was still in the workforce. It would have helped lower my anxiety in common situations. The strength of the book lies in reading about what runs through Joshua Ericson’s mind in precise detail, and seeing ourselves in it. The author writes in a conversational tone, which helps make the book easy to read, as does his use of humor and lots of white space. I also liked the book’s interactive nature, such as the “Parental Anxiety quiz,” which provides examples of common situations that parents face and evaluates the responses that the parent may have. Anyone who reads this book, sees themselves in it, and follows Ericson’s excellent advice will find it enormously helpful. The book will help readers overcome overthinking by providing solid strategies for dealing with common situations, such as conversations with friends, family discussions, or business meetings at work. The ultimate value is knowing that we are not alone. Most of us have been there, done that. Think, Rethink, Panic must have been therapeutic for the author to write; it will serve the same function for readers. I highly recommend this excellent work.