TURNING THE HORROR OF MENTAL ILLNESS INTO POSITIVITY & INSPIRATION

Turning the Horror of Mental Illness into Positivity and Inspiration

OBJECTIVE

My pen name is Stephanie Anne Allen, and I am writing this post to bring hope and inspiration to all those with mental illness.  I want to be a prime example of how you can not only survive the greatest of adversities, but you can also thrive.  You can turn the pain into something very positive and productive.

MY STORY

I’ve been diagnosed with many different mental illnesses over the years. They include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and an anxiety disorder.  The psychiatrists tried nearly every medication available out there on me.  Most medications didn’t work and the ones that did, had bad side effects.  I struggled for years and tried endlessly to make sense of my own existence.  I was in and out of psych hospitals all my life.  I tried to commit suicide several times and was addicted to self-mutilation.  All I wanted and longed for was death.  There just seemed to be no hope out there, and I felt like no one even cared about me.  I felt totally lonely and ashamed for having “mental problems”. 

When I was manic, I had racing thoughts, impulsive and risky behaviors, and I had delusions of grandeur.  I had major trouble sleeping and had an excess amount of energy.  My moods shifting rapidly from one extreme to the other—up and down, just like a roller coaster.

When I was psychotic, I suffered from delusions of all sorts and from hallucinations of all 5 senses.  I thought I was the “savior of medical science”.  I even believed at one point that I was the “second-coming of Christ”.  I saw, felt, tasted, heard, and smelled things that weren’t really there.  I believed I was going to be killed and raped by perpetrators, and this lasted from 2005 to 2016.  Can you even imagine living for the fear of your safety and your very life for 11 years?  Not easy.

Anyways, having mental illness caused me to lose everything accept my own life!  I lost friendships, relationships, jobs, cars, homes, and even my freedom at several points.  I committed a crime due to my insanity, and while being locked up I got my life back together.

HOW I TURNED MY LIFE AROUND

It was not easy, but I managed to go from rock bottom all the way to the top.  I found the courage, strength, faith, and hope I needed to overcome the greatest of odds.

I realized finally, while incarcerated, that I indeed was mentally ill and that it was nothing to be ashamed of.  The doctors stabilized me on meds and I was able to get the therapeutic treatment I needed.  I learned about what causes me to get to that point of psychosis.  Stress was a key!  So, I now know I cannot stress myself out.  I have to do things at my own pace.  I have learned coping skills for when I feel stressed.  I gained much insight into my mental illness and how I can “deal” effectively with the symptoms as they present themselves.

I realized that I am not alone.  I am a worthwhile person with purpose who deserves dignity and respect.  I am on this Earth for a reason.   The greatest love of all is self-love.  Never give up!  Everything happens for a reason.  Never lose faith and hope!

MY LIFE TODAY

Today, I am 39-years-old, but I have the wisdom of an 80 year old woman.  After being released from the state hospital, I have written seven books in under two years.  One memoir and six self-help books. 

My Mental Madness Memoir is a deep look into my mind.  You can learn my whole life story in depth and clarity.  It is a very emotion-provoking book.  The reader is taken on a journey through the insanity.  Readers can take full participation into the author’s thoughts and feelings.  It is quite unique, because I hide absolutely nothing.  This is an extremely real, one-of-a-kind, page-turning book.  You will see me at my very best and feel my joy, but you will also feel my pain and see how I persevered through it all.

I have also written the How to Survive Series.  Out currently are ones on depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD.  These powerful self-help books offer the reader insight and inspiration.  They provide hope and tips on how to effectively cope.

I have inspired hundreds of people through these books!  I love that I am now very happy and have found my calling and purpose in this life.   Without all the pain and adversity, I would have never accomplished that.  I would not be the person I am today.  I have gained a great deal more compassion, love, empathy, understanding, and wisdom. 

I did suffer, and I suffered terribly, but I turned it all around and now I am using the pain for the benefit of those who are going through all that I have.  I have made a great life from a very rocky foundation.  But I did it.  And you can too! You can become and do anything you want in your life.  The opportunities are endless.  Make your life one that will never be forgotten!

About the author

Stephanie Anne Allen is the quickly emerging author of My Mental Madness Memoir, How to Survive Depression, How to Survive Bipolar Disorder, How to Survive Schizophrenia, How to Survive Anxiety, How to Survive Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and How to Survive PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).  She holds a BA in clinical psychology and is a former case manager for the mentally ill.  She also has a lifetime of personal experience with mental illness. Ms. Allen is also a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) peer support group facilitator.

Stephanie Anne Allen's Amazon Author Page:  www.amazon.com/author/allenstephanie