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How to Be Broken

The Advantages of Falling Apart

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How to Be Broken

By: Dr Emma Kavanagh
Narrated by: Angela Ness
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About this listen

We are all broken at one time or another. All of us fall apart. But it is possible to take those pieces and rebuild into a stronger version of ourselves.

Psychologist, Dr Emma Kavanagh, takes us on a tour through the psychological literature, looking at what neuroscience tells us about extreme stress.

Using neuroscientific data, Dr Kavanagh has assessed the psychological literature that surrounds extreme stress. How to be broken looks beyond the fight or flight response to the science of group bonding in a crisis, it looks at how burnout might be better considered as a psychological adaptation to an unbearably tough environment. And it looks at what comes next, after the falling apart, exploring the science behind adaptation to harsh environments and how, sometimes, the world falling apart can lead us to rebuild, better than before.

As featured in the Independent, the Telegraph, the Observer, CNN and the Times, Dr Emma Kavanagh is giving us the tools to grow beyond a trauma. And how to put ourselves back together when we need it most.

©2021 Dr Emma Kavanagh (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology & Mental Health Self-Esteem Stress Management Health

Critic reviews

'This is the book for right now. This is the book for understanding burnout and then kick-starting the rebuild.' Professor Lucy Easthope

'If you are coming to the end of this year feeling battered and bruised, please read this hugely consoling short book.' Sunday Times
All stars
Most relevant
The author is clearly writing from personal experience as well as scientific background, which helped me take on board what she says. It comes across as being written with an encouraging smile on her face, and the last chapter, on post-traumatic growth, is especially valuable.

Helpful and personal

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Very well presented and I found it extremely helpful after these last 2 years but also more than that.

very positive, informative and extremely helpful

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This was such a helpful book for me. the science behind why I am constantly anxious with many encouraging examples from real life events.

Positive and Realistic

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