Stepping Out of the Dark (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] beoordelingen het boek quotes

"According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. More than 44 million Americans are affected by these debilitating illnesses each year. I am one of them. Although I have written a fictitious story, with fictitious characters, the events portrayed are undeniably real to those who suffer from anxiety disorders. I hope those reading this story will ponder it and come away feeling that with support, determination and faith in yourself and loved ones, anything can be achieved." - Julia L Nielsen DescriptionSet in modern day Utah, Melissa Bradford is a wife, mother and sufferer of mental illness, specifically anxiety disorders. From her injured son and fall of her marriage, to the battle with the government, Melissa must come to grips with her irrational fears and uncertainties to whether she can ever become normal again. With deep secrets buried, three other people tell their own story and together, they forge a unity and bond when they refuse to be victims of the beast that is mental illness.Beth, who is agoraphobic and has not left her house for many months, is finally forced to face her fears. For the first time, she ventures to a psychiatrist in desperate need of help. By chance she meets Melissa who seems to understand what she is dealing with.Ruth has obsessive-compulsive disorder and is deathly afraid of germs. As a widow, she takes care of herself and is a no-nonsense woman. What she comes to find out will test her spirit and her will.Mike has nightmares about that fateful night. The night his life changed forever. Now dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, he battles with himself as to why. In order for Mike to live and love again, he has to come to grips with his identity and see the beauty in life. Melissa realises she is not the only one out there who is pleading for help, praying for an end to her suffering. What Melissa ultimately comes to grips with is her own fears about her family, her mother and most of all, herself. Melissa decides she will not be a victim to mental illness when she takes it upon herself to break the barriers of misunderstandings and distorted views about anxiety, and mental illness in general, and eventually help those people who can't help themselves. A strong and inspirational read, Julie Nielsen's book has already received glowing plaudits from whoever has read it. About the AuthorJulia is a freelance writer who has had articles published in national US magazines such as 'Girls Life', 'Daughters', 'Tots to Teens', 'Associated Content' and 'The Spotter'. She has also freelanced for North County Newspapers. This is Julia's first novel, her second is due to be published soon through The Brushfire Press. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature and has hosted her own radio programme about mental illness in Phoenix, Arizona.