Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden

7 reviews

melsage1823's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Disclaimer: This is an own voices review from an Autistic person. Please read reviews from other Neurodivergent folk as I don't represent the community as a whole.

An Emotional And Uplifting Memoir That Perfectly Balances It's Two Main Target Audiences Without Feeling Cluncky.

As an Autistic person this book absolutely warmed my heart and gave me alot of comfort. Its a book I wish I could have handed to Younger Mel to comfort them. This book is not only full of incredible tips and reassurances for newly diagnosed Neurodivergent folk but also an informative  novel that can help Neurotypical people get inside the head of a Neurodivergent person and understand the struggles of living in a world that shuns difference. I'm impressed how Chloé manages to incoperate her own experiences whilst also giving important statistics and tips.

I really liked this novel and didn't find anything that put me off. The only thing I would criticise is the structure. I wish that instead of having the quotes in the middle of certain sections that they were put at the end. The quotes were very necessary but I think they were very off putting and distracting in the middle of a paragraph giving important tips. It also didn't help that the audiobook excluded reading the quotes. That's my only criticism. For a book about accepting everyone it should be more inclusive of dyslexic readers and not make things so confusing. Despite that it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

Now onto the strengths of this Self-Help Memoir. I really enjoyed the fact that the pages were spilled with Chloés personality and that the advice she has was given in a way meaningful to her. I've read many reviews criticising the Disney and Fairy Tale metaphors but without them I think the Memoir would be fairly average. As an Autistic person I love to give random metaphors especially metaphors linked through my special interests. I think Chloé using her special intrests of Disney and Fairytales too describe how Neurodivergent people can accept themselves, takes the reader on a journey in a way that's comfortable for Chloé. The best self-help novels and memoirs add personality to keep the reader engaged and its done perfectly here.

Secondly I have to praise the incredible balancing of its two target readers. This novel knows what it wants to be and what it's overall purpose is and I find that very good. It wants to show Neurodivergent readers that being different is nothing to be ashamed of and also show Neurotypical readers the harms of Shunning difference and how to be a better ally to Neurodivergent folks. Despite having two very clear audiences the novel doesn't feel overcrowded and jam-packed. I also thought whilst reading that both target readers can get something out of the novel and learn something new. Every chapter is structured in a way that makes sure both readers are included and it's very good. I'm generally glad there's a novel out there from an Autistic Person that can help Allistic folk understand one perspective on what it's like to be Autistic and outcasted because of it.

Finally I also have to praise the inclusivity. As mentioned in the previous paragraph Chloé is really good at reaching her target readers. Another way she does this well is by having trigger warnings. Most of the times people like to tell their story without considering what parts might be triggering for people and as a result it makes the book very overwhelming but Chloé makes sure to highlight all the sections that might be distressing and too stressful for people. It's also inclusive in the way that she breaks down the key parts of her story so that it's not too overwhelming for people and hard to read. Throughout every page of this novel you can tell she has her readers accessibly and comfortablity in mind.

Overall wether Neurodivergent or Neurotypical I would highly recommend picking up this novel. Through Chloés telling her own story and sharing important tips, you'll truly be able to understand that different does not indeed mean less. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism and Toxic friendship

Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Medical trauma

There's alot of ableist discrimination that Chloé recounts which might be triggering and upsetting for you if you as an Autistic person have experienced discrimination too. Look after yourself and be aware.

wheelyautistic's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I have never read a book that has felt like me ever and I think this is a must read for anyone whether autistic or not. Chloe's raw emotions and stories really help me to empathise with them and with myself 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

swanny_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This is one of the first books I've read about neurodiversity from a neurodiverse person. 

I'm on my own journey, and I appreciated reading a story that echoed feelings I had growing up and experiences that I still have today. 

I found occasionally it repeated something that had been said, but that's not a bad thing just an observation. 

This is another tool that can help me on my own self discovery, and I hope will help me feel better that I'm 33 trying to figure this out. 

I've listed some triggers in the list, but those triggers are labelled in the book as well. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Medical trauma

aseel_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Hands down one of the best books ever, as well as one of the best ND resources I've consumed. I felt very seen and reminded that I'm worthy of good things. I definitely will be forcing all of my ND friends to read this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Bullying

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

rain08's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

this was the best thing i’ve ever read, i was covered in goosebumps 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization

casuallycharlie's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Medical trauma

lara_r's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, and Bullying

Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship