Chris is sixteen. He wants to do well at college, have fun with his mates, be a good boyfriend and son. But anxiety takes its grip and won't shake loose. This is his true story.

Chris Westoby takes us inside his past self, a teenager from a small English town. He's trying to be a good friend, student, son and boyfriend, but he struggles to be in company without wanting to hide. And things only get worse: it's nearly impossible to take the bus to college without catching the next bus home.

His obsessive germaphobia begins to destroy his life. How can one boy overcome all this? Chris gives an unflinching, raw account of his troubles and presents what he's has learned. This book offers an outstretched hand to those fighting these same battles, or to anyone who's watching someone else go through the same.

'The Fear Talking' does not promise to solve your problems, but it shows you that you're not alone. That's all Chris ever wanted, really; to unflinchingly capture the warmth and darkness of the teenage years.