Reviews
Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles by Robison Wells, Maureen Johnson
sc104906's review
4.0
In this collection of essays, several authors give insight into how mental illness has impacted their lives. While some essays focus on their personal struggle with mental illness, others express the impacts of friends and family with mental illness. This work created a well-rounded look at the ripple effect of mental illness within our lives and in society. Authors explain their journey to mental health and provide concrete explanations of what works for them currently. There is a strong focus on using prescription drugs to achieve health, this may turn some off, but I believe that it is all part of the process.
I don't necessarily know if this work will appeal to the teen reader, especially because many of the life issues discussed in this book are more relevant to adults. I think this book would be perfect for a new adult reader, who has more autonomy in their life and can better relate to the work, husband, kid, issues brought up through these essays.
I don't necessarily know if this work will appeal to the teen reader, especially because many of the life issues discussed in this book are more relevant to adults. I think this book would be perfect for a new adult reader, who has more autonomy in their life and can better relate to the work, husband, kid, issues brought up through these essays.
alynic93's review
I’ve come to realize I don’t like short story collections. Although some of the short stories may be good, there are too many misses that I feel obligated to get through. I wasn’t enjoying myself.
thegalaxypanda96's review
5.0
(Warning this book may upset you if you have or if you have someone you love who has these mental illness : Depression, Anxiety, OCD, ADD, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer, Bulimia, Anorexia, Addiction, Body Dystopia and Suicidal)
Jessica is my favorite author so I was really excited when I learned about this book I’ve been dealing with my depression and anxiety since I was 18 though I think I had them long before that I just thought it was normal and they weren’t as severe back then so finding out my favorite author ever the woman that made me love reading was putting out a book with essays on mental illness with a bunch of different authors was a pretty big deal to me
I’ll be honest while I loved this book and think everyone should read it I did have a few problems I had to put it down at times and just not read it because while it was wonderful to see so many people who had the same problems as me it was also hard to see as well and it made me go into my darker moods so if you have a mental or have someone close to you that does it may be difficult to read at times but for me it was worth it
I related to so many of the stories even when me and the author weren’t facing the same problems I found a bit of myself in each and every story the one I related to most was Escape Clause By Jennifer L. Armentrout I had to put the book down during that one because it was really hitting me close to home with how similar we both feel
Sometimes when I didn’t see myself I saw people who I love who have been there and when there was no one I knew I still felt so much because this was real all of them have went through this and still are and that made it powerful
while sad and hard to read at times a felt a bit of hope as well yes I may have depression and anxiety for the rest of my life but I can learn to live with them and have a happy and full life yes there will be bed times when I just don’t wanna get up and think I’m though but there will always be something worth fighting for and that’s what’s important
Jessica is my favorite author so I was really excited when I learned about this book I’ve been dealing with my depression and anxiety since I was 18 though I think I had them long before that I just thought it was normal and they weren’t as severe back then so finding out my favorite author ever the woman that made me love reading was putting out a book with essays on mental illness with a bunch of different authors was a pretty big deal to me
I’ll be honest while I loved this book and think everyone should read it I did have a few problems I had to put it down at times and just not read it because while it was wonderful to see so many people who had the same problems as me it was also hard to see as well and it made me go into my darker moods so if you have a mental or have someone close to you that does it may be difficult to read at times but for me it was worth it
I related to so many of the stories even when me and the author weren’t facing the same problems I found a bit of myself in each and every story the one I related to most was Escape Clause By Jennifer L. Armentrout I had to put the book down during that one because it was really hitting me close to home with how similar we both feel
Sometimes when I didn’t see myself I saw people who I love who have been there and when there was no one I knew I still felt so much because this was real all of them have went through this and still are and that made it powerful
while sad and hard to read at times a felt a bit of hope as well yes I may have depression and anxiety for the rest of my life but I can learn to live with them and have a happy and full life yes there will be bed times when I just don’t wanna get up and think I’m though but there will always be something worth fighting for and that’s what’s important
katiethepenguin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
lovegirl30's review
4.0
Trigger Warning. This book may trigger or upset you if you or someone you love struggles with these mental illnesses; ADD, Addiction Alzheimer's, Anorexia, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Bulimia, and Suicide are all mentioned repeatedly in this book.
This was really a truthful and honest look at mental illness from a variety of people. It was so interesting for me to see how different people struggle and experience mental illnesses. I struggle with a number of the problems mentioned in this book and it was nice to see how other people cope. This book is honestly eye-opening.
The main thing I loved about this book was that no one tried to prescribe a right way to live with mental illness. Each essay had an honest and often in-depth look at what works or worked for them. Not what will work for everyone, although they were often super encouraging. While this book is aimed at young adults I believe adults will also get a lot out of the book as well. I think it is important to show teens how to cope with things they may be struggling with.
At first, I had an issue that some of these stories didn't deal with mental illness but what I realized was that it was a great way to share how loved ones are affected by these struggles. It showed me some issues they may be dealing with as well. It was extremely enlightening.
Overall, I think this book was amazing. I found the stories to be interesting and enlightening and truthful. I couldn't put this book down even though at times it was overwhelming. This book is encouraging that you can continue to live well and be successful, with mental illness.
muniemoe's review against another edition
5.0
This book giving me an insight of people who is in a battle with their mental health. And how they face it bravely. This book is a must read for a people who might think they are lost and alone in this world.
kaycee_k's review against another edition
4.0
I love this book. I enjoyed all the different stories and how each one was different. The struggles that people go through are as different as, how different we look to each other. One person tall while the other person is short. One person's struggles are different for the person next to you.
I found some of the stories I like more than the others, some I related to better than others but each story is important. Even though this book does cover many, many much need topics it still made me giggle with funny, witty lines. Cleave writers with power stories.
This is my own thoughts, 100% honest.
I found some of the stories I like more than the others, some I related to better than others but each story is important. Even though this book does cover many, many much need topics it still made me giggle with funny, witty lines. Cleave writers with power stories.
This is my own thoughts, 100% honest.
snazel's review
5.0
Very good anthology. As with many anthologies, this can be a pretty mixed bag. We have pieces that I'm super grateful for and were personally useful to me (didn't know bipolar could present like that! a useful way to look at anxieties), and things that I'm really confused as to why they're present (not sure about a piece about how you want your addicted brother to die is useful), and things that I'm not a huge personal fan of but I see why they're there (had to have the traditional piece about how medications are evil, I suppose). Overall one of the most solid anthologies I've read, however.
erinfrancis02's review
5.0
This was an amazing way to share and normalize stories about people living with mental health diagnoses. I have worked in the field for a long time and it was still such an eye opener for me. More people need to read this book.
I have 2 critics to help improve a future project:
1. I understand that mental illness is different for everyone but I would have liked a little more variety in the diagnoses. I feel like the majority revolved around anxiety and depression.
2. I did a quick google search on all of the contributors and there was not one person of color included in the list. One person identified as Latinx and one stated he was born in Mexico but that's it. This is a BIG missed opportunity.
I have 2 critics to help improve a future project:
1. I understand that mental illness is different for everyone but I would have liked a little more variety in the diagnoses. I feel like the majority revolved around anxiety and depression.
2. I did a quick google search on all of the contributors and there was not one person of color included in the list. One person identified as Latinx and one stated he was born in Mexico but that's it. This is a BIG missed opportunity.