Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorder (panic attacks) on a daily basis. Most suffer needlessly, either due to lack of medical treatment, misdiagnosis, or ignorance of the condition. I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY is one woman's brave confession of her struggles with the debilitating disorder.
Samantha Schutz was first diagnosed with anxiety disorder at age seventeen, after years of suffering with the problem. She uses this memoir to describe the devastating effects of the condition on her life and her relationships. The book chronicles the ups and downs of Samantha's life from age seventeen until she graduates from college and gets her first job in the publishing industry.
Told in verse, the story reveals everything from the gripping terror of the attacks to the many therapists she consulted for help. Samantha titles her entries with the current drugs (Klonopin, Serzone, Xanax, Paxil, etc.) and the dosages she was prescribed to treat her condition. She also explains her attempts to stop the medications, and her belief that things would get better, only to relapse with increasing frequency.
Samantha's honesty is evident throughout. She doesn't promise miracle cures, and she truly marvels at the support she received from her family and most of her friends. This is an inspiring book for anyone living with or connected to someone living with anxiety disorder.
Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorder (panic attacks) on a daily basis. Most suffer needlessly, either due to lack of medical treatment, misdiagnosis, or ignorance of the condition. I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY is one woman's brave confession of her struggles with the debilitating disorder.
Samantha Schutz was first diagnosed with anxiety disorder at age seventeen, after years of suffering with the problem. She uses this memoir to describe the devastating effects of the condition on her life and her relationships. The book chronicles the ups and downs of Samantha's life from age seventeen until she graduates from college and gets her first job in the publishing industry.
Told in verse, the story reveals everything from the gripping terror of the attacks to the many therapists she consulted for help. Samantha titles her entries with the current drugs (Klonopin, Serzone, Xanax, Paxil, etc.) and the dosages she was prescribed to treat her condition. She also explains her attempts to stop the medications, and her belief that things would get better, only to relapse with increasing frequency.
Samantha's honesty is evident throughout. She doesn't promise miracle cures, and she truly marvels at the support she received from her family and most of her friends. This is an inspiring book for anyone living with or connected to someone living with anxiety disorder.
EXCELLENT! A very real, poignant, graphically honest read about the author's journey in dealing with an anxiety disorder in her teen/young adult years. I have never read anything so authentic and written so eloquently, especially a memoir. This author deserves to be commended for her transparency and vulnerability - qualities that many of us aren't courageous enough to share with others in real life. If you have an anxiety disorder, you will greatly appreciate this memoir. Any therapist or school counselor of teenagers and college age/young adults would greatly benefit from reading this very well-written memoir.
this was a very fun interesting and loveing book i love the title. i remember when she thought collage would make it a new life but no it wasent when i read that part i was like no it wont be easy its hard not that is not fun it is fun but its hard to do all those esays while having a migrane or somthing it is vert sad she has this disorder but she is a very good author and she shouldent give up my favriote is she made the words in the story like it was in a poem so that was really cute and creative overall she did a faboulus job !! :)
