Monday, February 26, 2018

Today's Topic: "How to Survive Bipolar Disorder"

To my loyal blog readers, Bipolar Disorder is very common.  I want you to know that you are not alone.  There are many others out there who suffer.  So you are in good company.  I would like to apologize for not making this post yesterday, as I was busy preparing and submitting my new book to Amazon.  This is the second book in the How to Survive Series.  It is titled appropriately How to Survive Bipolar Disorder.
     This book provides education, hope, inspiration, and tips on how to cope effectively with Bipolar Disorder.  Here is the table of contents for this amazing book:

Preface
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
My Battle with Bipolar Disorder
How to Conquer your Bipolar Disorder
Recovery and Outcome
My Inspirational Quotes on Bipolar Disorder
Author's Note

     I want you to know that you can recover from Bipolar Disorder!  Never give up!  You can and you will make it through!  You will find that "balance" again!!!!

Here is the link to How to Survive Bipolar Disorder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1980401411/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519656410&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+survive+bipolar

Much Love to you  all!
Stephanie Anne Allen
www.amazon.com/author/allenstephanie

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Today's Topic "To Survive Depression" as an Audiobook

Hello to all of you,

As you know, "How to Survive Depression" in now available to all in ebook and paperback formats.  This book provides education, hope, inspiration, and tips on how to effectively cope with depression.  Yes, depression absolutely sucks.  And I feel for all those who suffer from it.  Remember that you are worth getting better for!  And with proper treatment, you can overcome your illness.  I have compassion and empathy for all of those who suffer with this mental illness.

"How to Survive Depression" will soon be out as an audiobook.  I hope you will get yourself or someone you love an ebook, paperback, or audiobook copy.  There you will find tips that I personally used on myself in my own recovery.  I know you will find this book very beneficial, as you did My Mental Madness Memoir.

Much love to you all in the this upcoming week!

-Stephanie Anne Allen

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Today's Topic: "How to Survive Depression"

Today's Topic is How to Survive Depression. (Book #1 in How to Survive Series) 

Depression is not easy as you may know well.  Depression robs its victims of happiness.  It causes us to feel negative about ourselves, others, and life in general.  We are so miserable in our minds.  And we feel like it will never get better.  I say to you, do not be a victim.  Be a warrior.  Conquer your illness, because you can survive depression!

"If you are sitting in the dark (due to depression) go turn the light on.  If you can't find the light switch, seek the help of someone who can."

Blurb from How To Survive Depression:

Preface

                “How to Survive—Depression” is the first book in the “How to Survive Series”.  This is a collection of books that I am creating to educate, motivate, and bring inspiration to those who are going through difficult things, and times, in their lives.
            I hope that these books will inspire people to want to conquer their fears and their problems.  I want to offer encouragement and help people realize they are not alone in their battles.   And they can come through, just like others have. But not only can they pull through their conflicts, but they will come out on the other side a much better person—a person who has gained strength and wisdom and has acquired a much better attitude and overlook on life.
            Life is a beautiful thing and sometimes we can’t see that because our hardships blind us from all the splendor that life has to offer.  Sometimes we just want to sit back, stop fighting, and give up.  But I am writing this series to reassure you that life does get better.  And when you are rock bottom, the only way for it to go is up! 
            In this series, I will touch on different issues, and show you how to survive each of them in a very unique way.  I will give you self-help techniques that I have used or helped others use.  These techniques have been proven to work for me and others, because we put in the effort.  We worked hard on self-transformation and acceptance.  We learned to love ourselves enough to fight, to get beyond our problems.  And self-love my friends is where it all begins!
            Please remember this common statement.  “God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  This is the serenity prayer by Reinhold Neibuhr.  And even if you don’t believe in God, it still applies to you.  You can still turn your life around.  You can still change if you choose to do so.
            The sad truth is that with life there is also inevitable suffering.  There is no way around that.  Some people believe suffering comes from the devil, others even believe it comes from God.  I don’t think anyone really knows the source.  But you do not need to know where your pain is coming from to do something about it.
            I have suffered greatly in my own life from much heartache, emotional pain, trauma, chaos, etc.  I have been at the point where most people do not survive!  The statistics were very much in favor of me ending my own life.  But I didn’t succeed at terminating it.  I took the battle head on.  This time I wasn’t going to run away from the fight for my life.  The good news is that I won the war within my own mind!  And I came out of it a much better person.  I gained strength.  I acquired insight and wisdom.  And now I am very much able to empathize completely with others who are going through similar problems.
            Would I take back all that my past entailed?  No.  There should not be any regrets and remorse in this life.  Everything happens for a reason.  And every human being has a purpose on this Earth.  We should just strive each and every day to become a better person than we were the day before.
Suffering is just a part of life.  And you are in control of what you chose to do with that suffering.  Do you let it break you or do you let it make you?  I am hoping you chose the second option.
And so, I present this series to you.  Let it bring you hope, encouragement, and inspiration.  And please “spread the love” by passing on this book to someone you know who could really use a boost in life!

As you know, the day of love is quickly approaching! On Valentine's Day, treat yourself or someone you love to this book.

Also, keep in mind my first book, My Mental Madness Memoir, is still available as an ebook, paperback, and audiobook.  And on February 14, 2018 ONLY the ebook version will be free to all who request it.

Well friends, have a great week ahead and don't forget to celebrate love on this upcoming "day of love"!
-Stephanie Anne Allen

Friday, February 9, 2018

HOW TO SURVIVE SERIES

EXCITING BOOK RELEASE INFORMATION!  HOW TO SURVIVE DEPRESSION is the first book in the How to Survive Series.  It was published just a few days ago.  I wrote it to provide education, hope, inspiration, and tips on how to cope effectively with depression.  Please get your copy today.  If you haven't already done so, My Mental Madness Memoir is also available.

Here is a link to my author's page so you can check out all my books.  www.amazon.com/author/allenstephanie

Here is a direct link to How to Survive Depression.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Depression-Book-ebook/dp/B079LZ87MZ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Today's Topic: "Anxiety and Appropriate Coping Skills"

Hello to all my blog readers!  The first post for Today's Topic will be "Anxiety and Appropriate Coping Skills", as requested by several of my fans.



What is anxiety?

According to Merriam-Webster, the general definition for anxiety is an "apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness over an impending or anticipated ill."

Most people experience this sort of anxiety, whether it is over a job, a relationship, an illness, etc.  They may worry unnecessarily.  But worry does no good, so they learn to turn that anxiety into positive action.


What is Anxiety Disorder?
Again, according to Merriam-Webster, the medical definition of anxiety is "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature about one's capacity to cope with it.
Signs:

  • Worrying too much, including over "unnecessary" things  
  • Sleeping too much or too little, trouble staying asleep, trouble falling asleep
  • Feeling like you are going to throw up and/or actually throwing up
  • Constantly tense muscles
  • Flashbacks
  • Panic Attacks
  • May appear as social anxiety or stage fright

How do I cope with anxiety?
  • Breathe, be mindful of your breaths, use deep breathing techniques
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat healthly
  • Have a regular sleep schedule
  • Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol, caffeine
  • Relax, take time for you, pamper yourself
  • Maintain a good attitude
  • Be grateful for everything in life, even the little things
  • Try to avoid things that "trigger" you by being insightful about your illness
  • Give back to others, get involved in a support group, network with others who have anxiety
  • Seek professional guidance (therapy and medication)

This is on a more personal note!  
I experienced great anxiety while I was psychotic.  During this time, I feared that I was going to be raped and killed.  I thought everyone was against me.  Fearing for your life for 12 years straight definitely causes extreme anxiety.  I continually had the flight vs. fight response.  I was jumping out of my own skin.  I could never relax.  And I tried to run away and I tried to strike back.  But since this anxiety was unfounded, I was not able to change things.  I was worrying about unnecessary things.

With medication to control the psychosis, I emerged a stronger person.  I turned adversity into a positive thing, because it strengthened my character.

I am hoping that you too will overcome your anxiety and emerge as a changed person.  Seek professional help if needed.  There is nothing to be ashamed of.   Anxiety Disorder may be a mental illness but it does not make you a bad person.  Things will change and I want to offer you that hope.



Blurb on Anxiety from My Mental Madness Memoir:
"I believed that the medical researchers were going to give me a heart attack through their electrical shocks, and I felt actual chest pains.  The pain was probably just a hallucination.  Or it could have been caused by my increased blood pressure, which was extremely high because of my constant fear of being killed."

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Introducing "TODAY'S TOPIC"

Dear Blog Readers,

I will be posting weekly about different mental health topics.  Every Sunday I will post a blog on whatever mental health topics that my audience desires.  This could include any mental illness diagnosis, symptoms associated with your mental illness, treatment (therapy, meds, ECT) , recovery, skills for dealing with mental illness (exercise, stress reduction, diet, meditation), etc.  If you would like me to post about a certain topic, please comment here, or if you feel more comfortable you may send me a message through messenger (m.me/AuthorStephanieAllen1979).

I am dedicated to helping spread mental health awareness and ending all the stigma associated with it.  Please reach out to someone for help.  If you feel you can't trust anyone, I will be more than happy to lend a listening ear.

Hope everyone has a great weekend ahead!

Much Love to you all!

-Stephanie Anne Allen
Author of My Mental Madness Memoir
www.amazon.com/author/allenstephanie
www.facebook.com/AuthorStephanieAllen1979