Why Worry?

One of the earliest American medical guides to the modern epidemic of anxiety. Written by a physician who treated patients paralyzed by worry, this book tackles a problem as urgent today as it was a century ago: the tyranny of anxious thoughts over the human mind. Walton distinguishes between ordinary concern and pathological worry, exploring how catastrophic thinking hijacks the mind. He examines hypochondria and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, drawing on case studies that include the famous example of Samuel Johnson's ritualized behaviors. The core insight remains radical: you cannot eliminate worry by trying not to worry. Instead, Walton advocates understanding its psychological roots and gradually redirecting attention toward healthier mental habits. The book offers practical exercises and down-to-earth techniques that readers can apply immediately, making abstract psychological principles genuinely useful in daily life. For anyone curious about where modern anxiety culture originated, or for readers seeking time-tested strategies to quiet an racing mind, this volume offers a fascinating window into early psychological thought.