I don’t usually gravitate toward nonfiction, but as a twenty-something facing some unexpected mental health challenges, I figured this might be both insightful and helpful.

I’ll admit, the author’s bold claim early on—that most twentysomethings are overmedicated—almost put me off. While I do believe we face a pharmaceutical crisis and that overprescription is a real issue, I also think medication can be life-changing for many people. The author’s blunt tone had me nervous, but it quickly became clear she knows her stuff.

Once I let go of any preconceived notions and embraced the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to mental health, I found the book surprisingly useful. I realized that not every piece of advice would resonate with me, but there were takeaways I could apply to my own life.

Was the advice groundbreaking? Not really—but that’s what makes it motivating. It’s empowering to know that small, tangible changes are within our control. We often look for quick fixes or magic solutions to our problems, but sometimes it’s about developing skills and learning how to handle difficult moments. Over time, those moments become a little easier to navigate.

Will this work for everyone? Definitely not. But I do think (and hope) many will find something in it that speaks to them.

The Defining Decade remains a personal favorite of mine, so I had high hopes for The Twentysomething Treatment. While this book may not have lived up to its predecessor, it still serves as an important reminder for twentysomethings. The recommendations presented are not necessarily groundbreaking, but the emphasis on functional health and embracing uncertainty is still impactful and very much needed in this generation. I remain a big fan of Dr. Jay!

As a recovering twenty-something myself, and a parent of almost twenty-somethings, I valued this practical and level-headed approach. It made me think back to the uncertainty of my twenties, which I tried to soothe with immediate grad school, marriage, home, and babies. The babies are still doing great - the rest of it not so much. Accepting and leaning into the uncertainty and possibility of their twenties is something I want my kids to do, and this book helps me see the way to help them see the way.

This book has practical steps to deal with twenty-something uncertainty that I found myself trying out in my forty-something transition to an empty nest: breaking bad habits, making friends, facing scary feelings, taking care of your health, resisting easy fixes. Life is learning, whether you are twenty or almost fifty.

Explores some of the complexities/existential questions people deal with in their twenties and how to get through them. I’m 26 so this was a timely read.

This is a great book for young adults. It covers many topics they struggle with as twentysomethings. It's been a long time since I was that age, but it seems harder to be young now than ever. This helps show how things have changed and gives advice on how to help them navigate the world. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.