Under Pressure

Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls

By: Lisa Damour

Narrated by: Lisa Damour

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

An urgently needed guide to the alarming increase in anxiety and stress experienced by girls from elementary school through college, from the 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

“Lisa Damour offers a fresh, riveting take on the unsustainable stress girls face today, which is often fueled unintentionally by the most well-meaning parents and teachers. Damour also offers refreshing and research-based practical fixes; it’s possible to normalize pressure, in many cases, and use it in fortifying ways to build strength and confidence. Under Pressure is an invaluable read for anyone who has girls, works with girls, or cares about girls - for everyone!” (Claire Shipman, New York Times best-selling author of The Confidence Code and The Confidence Code for Girls)

“Anyone who has read the beloved Untangled knows that Lisa Damour gets girls. This timely sequel brings stunning clarity to the complicated set of stressors that girls experience - in the classroom, online, with peers, and at home - and models how to show up as an ally instead of an adversary. 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)

“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)

Everyone should read/listen to this book.

As a childless female police officer, I had been asked many times to speak with the high school girls about current social pressures they are facing. I decided to listen to this book to get a better understanding on this subject and I cannot rave enough about what I learned. Lisa Damour offers strategies and outlooks on conversations anyone could face with a teenaged girl. Everyone should listen/read to this book to be more supporting and understanding to the current social pressures and tools to deploy when someone young has questions or is struggling.

Clear in Purpose & Plainly Written

This book has valuable information, for the parent, but also for the helping professional. Many of the vignette are specific and useful in defining and addressing dilemmas facing adolescent girls.

Helpful

I really like both of her books. They have given me a lot of great advice and strategies to help my daughter.

Amazing must listen/read

Helpful insights to any parents blind spots!
She uses easy to understand language for the listener. The listener can choose to use these easy mottos and methods to convey healthy conversations in life and at home

Incredibly Insightful

I will be referring to this book for advice for years to come. Full of grounding and eye opening insight this book is full of wonderful advice to help girls navigate their way through school, social lives and family.

Just what I needed!

As the mother of four girl, I’m only sorry I did t gave this book sooner! I loved every word! I’m really hoping there will be another book as a follow up that speaks to life for girls after Covid and how we can cope and help our girls cope with increasing anxiety as world conditions continue to worsen!

Have to read book for those working with girls

I loved this book. There were so many wonderful examples and ideas to use with the girls I love and the girls I work with. I would definitely recommend this book to both parents and clinicians.

A Must Read!

Lisa,
Thank you for the evidence-based, real world techniques to help us teach our girls how to listen, use and tame their everyday anxieties! Brilliant!
Kim Fuller Jacoby

As pertinent during COVID as ever!

Lisa Damour has such a great way of making complex topics manageable. I loved listening to this and hearing her calming voice made it so enjoyable! A must-read for parents of girls and boys, before the teen years!

Excellent advice for Mother’s if daughters

I loved this book so much!!!
It helped me understand my daughter and how to communicate with her better!

The author is amazing and she narrates the book perfectly!

Highly recommend!