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[notworksafe]

Dan is a cool dude and funny guy. I was glad I saw him at Wreslemania Axxess this year to tell him how much I enjoy his GB videos. Sucks so many people here hate awesome food like Taco Bell, awesome countries like America, and cool guy stuff like action movies and wrestling. To each their own.

I don't deal with anxiety or depression so probably won't pick this up but I hope it can help people with those issues.

 

[My Name Is Luke]

I think the only thing holding me back from picking up this book is that while I don't have anxiety personally, I'm kind of afraid of self-diagnosing myself with it as a result of reading. But knowing myself I'll probably get eventually.

Dan's a super cool dude and I love his work on GB, and hearing him talk about the book on various shows makes it sound super interesting. Was hoping to hear more reader impressions in this topic but...yeah...

 

[mugoldeneagle03]

25% of the stuff he says on bombcast slays me, the other 75% seems like complete bullshit, which baffles me when thinking about him making a self help anxiety book. But hey, gotta respect the fact he wrote it, that's pretty cool.

It's just hard for me to fathom taking advice from a guy who seems like he gets shit faced a lot, and watches wrestling a lot, and says dumb shit, a lot.

 

[Regurgitated]

Dan Ryckert is like a real life Forrest Gump. I'm not sure I'd want to read an anxiety book by Forrest Gump.

Why does everyone give Dan shit? It comes off as such arrogance and pettyness like people want to feel superior to him. Everyone does dumb things it's just be tells everyone his dumb stuff and laughs about it instead of being embarrassed. He has a great job, plays games for a living, enjoys life, and writes books, and is in live camera constantly while suffering from anxiety. He's done better for himself than 95% of the people on here.

 

[KissVibes]

This is a really sad thread. Shaming a person for living his life as he wants to, hurting absolutely nobody, and giving him shit because he wrote a book about personal experiences with anxiety hoping to maybe help others by doing so. Jesus Christ.

Dan Ryckert is like a real life Forrest Gump. I'm not sure I'd want to read an anxiety book by Forrest Gump.

So, you're suggesting Ryckert is handicapped mentally? Worse yet, are you saying you wouldn't want to read a book because said person is mentally handicapped? That's rude as heckie.

"he can't be anxious, he's always having a good time. what does he have to be anxious about?"

some of you folks have no idea how a mental illness works.

Nope.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

I think the only thing holding me back from picking up this book is that while I don't have anxiety personally, I'm kind of afraid of self-diagnosing myself with it as a result of reading. But knowing myself I'll probably get eventually.

Even if you don't have capital A anxiety issues, I'm sure getting some perspective on it could be interesting for you - I mean, I'm pretty sure everyone occasionally has anxiety stuff swirling in their head.

Dan's a super cool dude and I love his work on GB, and hearing him talk about the book on various shows makes it sound super interesting. Was hoping to hear more reader impressions in this topic but...yeah...

I was pretty surprised when I heard Dan had severe anxiety on the podcast, but when I thought about it for a sec it really wasn't all that shocking. Anxiety sucks because you know your brain is lying to you about how you should feel, but you feel that way regardless. It's a weird problem where being self-aware about it can actually make things worse. Being driven and fiercely positive is sometimes the only way to snap yourself out of it. I can relate to Dan, I liked the book a lot.

I also recommend Andrew WK's recent piece on depression: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2015/04/ask_andrew_wk_do_you_ever_get_depressed.php

 

[benjipwns]

25% of the stuff he says on bombcast slays me, the other 75% seems like complete bullshit, which baffles me when thinking about him making a self help anxiety book. But hey, gotta respect the fact he wrote it, that's pretty cool.

It's just hard for me to fathom taking advice from a guy who seems like he gets shit faced a lot, and watches wrestling a lot, and says dumb shit, a lot.

One of the other often highly recommended books on someones struggles with anxiety is hardly much different:

Many of those things may be a coping mechanism. Or self-medication.

Anxiety sucks because you know your brain is lying to you about how you should feel, but you feel that way regardless. It's a weird problem where being self-aware about it can actually make things worse.

It can arguably be the worst part about it. And why it so often goes hand in hand with depression.

 

[JBourne]

It's in worst taste because he reads gaf and even commented in this thread. It's not hard to bite your tongue if you don't have anything nice to say. What does comparing Dan to Forrest Gump accomplish besides making a person feel bad if he reads it? People like to decry cyber bullying and harassment but then happily insult and mock someone in a thread about struggling with anxiety. Some posters could learn from Dan about just trying to be a nice person.

I'm just glad that Dan will still post here.

 

[Basileus777]

Anxiety sucks because you know your brain is lying to you about how you should feel, but you feel that way regardless. It's a weird problem where being self-aware about it can actually make things worse.

When the doctor told me what I was experiencing were panic attacks, it made things worse for me for a while. I became anxious over the anxiety itself and that was a really difficult trap to get out of. I'd have days where I was feeling good, and then think about that and it would trigger a panic attack.

 

[ismk]

It's crazy to read people's negative reaction to Dan. The guy is hilarious and is clearly just trolling/having fun. Also, good for him for writing this book and sharing his experience. I feel that people are being extremely rude towards Dan and his experience with anxiety.

 

[entremet]

This is a really sad thread. Shaming a person for living his life as he wants to, hurting absolutely nobody, and giving him shit because he wrote a book about personal experiences with anxiety hoping to maybe help others by doing so. Jesus Christ.



So, you're suggesting Ryckert is handicapped mentally? Worse yet, are you saying you wouldn't want to read a book because said person is mentally handicapped? That's rude as heckie.



Nope.

To be fair, most of wish we were as rich and successful as Forrest Gump.

 

[Beaulieu]

maybe a little more anxiety would help that guy

 

[Hatty]

maybe a little more anxiety would help that guy

What does that mean?

 

[NYCmetsfan]

When the doctor told me what I was experiencing were panic attacks, it made things worse for me for a while. I became anxious over the anxiety itself and that was a really difficult trap to get out of. I'd have days where I was feeling good, and then think about that and it would trigger a panic attack.

Yeah, its extremely common for panic attacks to increase once you know what they are and when they are coming on. But at the same time knowing what they are is the only way to tackle the underlying anxiety

 

[Rabbit Lord]

Huh? How come a guy, who doesn't know what a mortgage is, write about a complex issue such as anxiety?

Do you have to know what a mortgage is to understand anxiety?

 

[fuzzyset]

Dan is the best. Some of these posts are ridiculous. Jimmies are rustled for sure.

I need to buy the book. Some of his stories on Danswers have hit home with me.

 

[Myggen]

If some of you want to hear about Dan's experience with anxiety and Danny O'Dwyer's experience with depression, here's 15 minutes of them talking about it on Danswers (Giant Bomb podcast)

 

[Isotope]

I'm glad Dan is with GB; he was actually what made me check them out in the first place. Loved it ever since.

I have a friend who struggles with anxiety, so I've definitely considered grabbing him this book.

 

[Exr]

Dan is cool

 

[skLaFarebear]

Dan's a great guy and I've heard nothing but good things about this book. His story on anxiety on the Danswers podcast helped me understand just how much he struggled with this topic and how he managed to overcome it and now he's trying to help other people overcome anxiety. Its fine to criticize his book if you have problems with it, but criticizing him as a person is just gross and totally uncalled for.

If some of you want to hear about Dan's experience with anxiety and Danny O'Dwyer's experience with depression, here's 15 minutes of them talking about it on Danswers (Giant Bomb podcast)

Also people need to listen to this^

 

[wenis]

I would love for you to explain what exactly you meant by this post.

I would as well.

 

[ratcliffja]

This was a fun thread to wake up and go through. Some of you guys get it

Dan I really appreciate you opening your heart like you did. I'm definitely considering giving it a read, though I don't have a ton of expendable income right now. Do you get any money if we borrow it from the Kindle library?

 

[Aeana]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

 

[Iksenpets]

This was a fun thread to wake up and go through. Some of you guys get it

Hey, just wanted to apologize for my silly post earlier. I realized with you in here reading it that it probably came off as kind of demeaning to what you're doing here. I just meant it as a silly joke, and didn't realize how negative things had gotten in here. So I just wanted to say that regardless of my beliefs that you may be from outer space, I do really appreciate the work you put into this to help others who are suffering. Keep up the good work!

 

[Lijik]

i only know about him tangentially, does pilkington inspire this much debate as to whether he's a real idiot or a fake one?

Ricky Gervais had to eventually put out a statement that Karl wasnt some character he and Steve Merchant had written so take that as you will.

 

[benjipwns]

This was a fun thread to wake up and go through. Some of you guys get it

I just want you to know that I would never buy a mortgage from you.

 

[shadyspace]

I'm really interested in seeing how capable of a writer Dan is but I'm waiting for him to put out a book on a topic I find interesting. Dan, for your next book could you write some WWII alternate history fiction? Thanks.

 

[Enilced2]

I'm genuinely shocked by some of the seriously mean posts here. Had no idea he wrote a book about his dealings with anxiety, been meaning to pick up the Air Force Gator books so I think I'll grab this too. Should be an interesting read, as someone with anxiety I would love to see what how he overcomes it to be so outgoing a person.

 

[studyguy]

Dan is the man.
The Comedy Button podcast with him was amazing. I don't see why people would assume a guy like him would be exempt from problems like anxiety and the like. Not like mental health issues give a fuck who you are.

 

[chubigans]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

Ah that makes sense. Though if that's the case why wouldn't you want to read a book by that guy? Ah well, no worries.

 

[Fjordson]

The book is actually a pretty neat read. Dan's a good writer.

Hopefully Dan can let some more of his personality out on non-premium Giant Bomb content in the future. His Danswers advice podcast and this book shows a whole different side to him. Even though I've never had a problem with his goofy/wrestling fan persona on the Bombcast and other stuff, there's a lot more to him than that.

edit: also, goddamn @ some of the posts in here lol. Some grade-A douches on GAF.

 

[ratcliffja]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

Right, but what about somebody meeting lots of people would make you not want to read an advice book from him, even in a joking manner? I don't get that connection.

 

[Mupod]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

yeah that's what I took away from it too. But while it does seem like he's bumbled his way to success the guy certainly does have a hell of a work ethic. He's brought up the hundreds of reviews he wrote in order to break into the industry many times, I've been there myself and gave up long before I came close to that number.

 

[Cyan]

I'm really interested in seeing how capable of a writer Dan is but I'm waiting for him to put out a book on a topic I find interesting. Dan, for your next book could you write some WWII alternate history fiction? Thanks.

Air Force Gator: B-17 Pilot

 

[giant_frying_pan]

I haven't finished it yet, but I'm finding it useful. He takes great care to not have his advice taken as a substitute for professional care and it is an account of the issues he has experienced and his techniques to cope.

 

[Charles Alan Ratliff]

I read Anxiety as an Ally and thought it was great. I recently had my first panic attack (in January) and have been dealing with mental health issues since. To see where Dan is now and what he has done in his life and the seemingly magical ability to accomplish whatever he sets his mind to, and to then read about just how bad his anxiety issues were not even that long ago, is inspiring. He went through some truly terrible, horrifying shit for a long time, and the fact that he has turned it all around into something so positive that has greatly improved his life overall is something everyone can learn and benefit from.

 

[BrutishMrFish]

If you find yourself getting worked up over Dan trashing your favourite game/movie, just tell yourself this guy likes wrestling. The dumbest fucking shit ever. It's what I do when he's saying Terminator is worse than 2 and 3 or the Godfather game is better than The films or Bubba Ho Tep is a bad film.

A better idea would be to not take it personally when someone has different opinions than you.

 

[Aeana]

Right, but what about somebody meeting lots of people would make you not want to read an advice book from him, even in a joking manner? I don't get that connection.

Well, that's the part I should apologize for. At the time I made the post, I didn't really consider that he overcame serious anxiety issues. It was just an extension of the analogy -- that it seems like a lot of the cool stuff just comes to him, and that isn't something you can learn from a book. It was thoughtless.

 

[Jburton]

Dan is quality, I do feel he.plays.up to character a lot if the time andany just take him too seriously.

I too suffer with severe anxiety issues but I am doing much better the past few years, it is nice to see Dan doing well and sharing his experience.

Awful lot of snobby posters on GAF, shitting on people because they don't value what they like it how they act.

In the real world they tend to be known as assholes.


Keep up the good work Dan, fuck the haters.

 

[Northeastmonk]

I'm glad he made a book on it because it's such a pain to live with. I think some of the hate could be more like loving hate. The kind you get from family members. I wonder sometimes if it's because there aren't too many people doing stuff like this. Where's Adam Sessler's boxing tip book or Stop smoking guide? Where's David Jaffe's anger management self help book? Should some personnel in the industry write more books? Is there an untold truth or a real story. If it was real enough for Adam or Dan then it might be real enough for someone else, which I mentioned earlier. Maybe people can't express feelings for him?

 

[whoszed]

I suspect that the public persona of Dan Ryckert is partly a masterfully constructed character. It's tough to gauge how much of his naivete is feigned, but either way, true or false, it makes me wary of buying into it. That said, he's great on Giant Bomb. All the best of luck to him, especially if he's really just pulling one over everyone.

When you see his dad you kinda see that it's all real.

 

[Regurgitated]

When you see his dad you kinda see that it's all real.

I wish I got on with my dad that well.

 

[entremet]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

That's how I read it as well.

Props for the apology, though. Shows real class.

Since forums are a written and reading medium it's difficult to ascertain joking nuance at times.

 

[Ohnonono]

maybe a little more anxiety would help that guy

Man that is fucked up.

 

[ArjanN]

A better idea would be to not take it personally when someone has different opinions than you.

That and maybe not take everything at face value. That Godfather line was so obviously just fishing for a reaction from people.

 

[Jeffolation]

Dan Ryckert is my spirit animal.

 

[suzu]

I don't agree with what Dan says sometimes and I can't tell if he's actually being serious with certain things, but he seems like a funny guy. As someone who is also dealing with anxiety, I'm glad to hear that he's able to manage it.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Some of you misunderstood my post. It was a loving jab that I guess didn't come out quite like I intended. I like Dan and find him fascinating. I'm not belittling his efforts here, and it wasn't intended as an insult, either. The Forrest Gump angle for me comes from how seemingly super lucky he is in everything he does. He has so many stories of meeting cool people and getting to do crazy stuff. It wasn't a shot at his mental capacity, although I understand how it could come off that way, so I'm sorry for that.

Ah, I totally didn't pick up on that, thanks for clarifying.

 

[John Rabbit]

maybe a little more anxiety would help that guy

wtf is this post?

would you tell a recovering alcoholic maybe they need a drink?

 

[aeolist]

while i don't really care for dan i won't go out of my way to bash him either

that said why do people find it shocking that others have a negative reaction to someone most of them are describing as a deliberate troll?