Under Pressure

Publisher's Summary

An urgently needed guide to the alarming increase in anxiety and stress experienced by girls from elementary school through college, from The New York Times best-selling author of Untangled

“An invaluable read for anyone who has girls, works with girls, or cares about girls - for everyone!” (Claire Shipman, author of The Confidence Code and The Confidence Code for Girls)

Though anxiety has risen among young people overall, studies confirm that it has skyrocketed in girls. Research finds that the number of girls who said that they often felt nervous, worried, or fearful jumped 55 percent from 2009 to 2014, while the comparable number for adolescent boys has remained unchanged. As a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with girls, Lisa Damour, PhD, has witnessed this rising tide of stress and anxiety in her own research, in private practice, and in the all-girls’ school where she consults. She knew this had to be the topic of her new book.

In the engaging, anecdotal style and reassuring tone that won over thousands of fans of her first book, Untangled, Damour starts by addressing the facts about psychological pressure. She explains the surprising and underappreciated value of stress and anxiety: that stress can helpfully stretch us beyond our comfort zones, and anxiety can play a key role in keeping girls safe. When we emphasize the benefits of stress and anxiety, we can help our daughters take them in stride.

But no parents want their daughter to suffer from emotional overload, so Damour then turns to the many facets of girls’ lives where tension takes hold: their interactions at home, pressures at school, social anxiety among other girls and among boys, and their lives online. As listeners move through the layers of girls’ lives, they’ll learn about the critical steps that adults can take to shield their daughters from the toxic pressures to which our culture - including we, as parents - subjects girls. 

Listeners who know Damour from Untangled or The New York Times, or from her regular appearances on CBS News, will be drawn to this important new contribution to understanding and supporting today’s girls.

Praise for Under Pressure

“Truly a must-read for parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors wanting to help girls along the path to adulthood.” (Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times best-selling author of How to Raise an Adult) 

©2019 Lisa Damour (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“Under Pressure is exactly what parents need and, as a mother, it helped me to relax! Damour explains the difference between healthy and unhealthy stress and anxiety. She offers a detailed, comprehensive look at how to help our daughters manage naturally occurring tension, toxic stress, and anxiety. This brilliant book is a must-read.” (Norah O’Donnell, host, CBS This Morning)

“In readily accessible and easily assimilated prose, Damour... [makes] common-sense suggestions to help parents help their daughters in these highly competitive times. Although few of these issues are new, Damour’s instructive book pulls them into the limelight yet again, where they can be addressed by a new generation of parents and girls. Practical solutions backed by solid research that will help many girls overcome their high levels of stress and anxiety.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Damour offers practical suggestions for heading off stressful encounters and counteracting their influences. Although aimed at parents, Damour’s sensible and empathetic approach will also be reassuring for teens seeking guidance.” (Booklist)

Another great one

Loved listening to this as read by the author! Lisa Damour has a great way of storytelling that leaves you with a wonderful understanding of her point. She knows girls, knows the research, and can help navigate the difference between knowing what research says and knowing how to apply it. This is a great read for parents, teacher, coaches, or mentors of young girls.

So important for parents of teenage girls

Not only has this book given me new insight into what today’s girls are going through, it helped me open the line of communication with my 13 year old daughter about uncomfortable but very important topics. This book is very thorough and Lisa Damour does a fantastic job narrating it. I highly recommend it.
Happy listening!!