Overcoming Schizophrenia

World Schizophrenia Day, May 24, 2020 There is a universal unspoken code that negates the truth about schizophrenia, it is stigma. Stigma comes in a wide range of negative beliefs that uphold myths as facts. As an individual living with schizophrenia I experienced stigma first-hand.  It was hurtful and unfair. I have been labelled "demonic." One of the most common questions I get from men I date when I decide to disclose is "are you violent?"  Stigma translates into fear, discrimination, negative labels, and ignorant beliefs. Countless persons do not understand what schizophrenia is and do not know what recovery can look like and thus, continue to place me and my peers into a box with limitations. Stigma is perpetuated by different groups especially some religious people, world wide influential platforms such as Hollywood, and a magnitude of people all over the world.  There are several myths about schizophrenia, here are the most common: Myth #1: S...

Regaining motivation is tough but it is possible. Resiliency is an inherent gift. In spite of setbacks we learn how to manage. However, some of us unconsciously turn to quick coping strategies that may spiral out of control and lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. These quick fixes may include but are not limited to smoking, substance abuse, overeating, abuse of prescription drugs, and dysfunctional relationships. Ultimately these habits may lead or worsen depression and our mental makeup.  My depression looks like extreme exhaustion, lack of motivation, oversleeping, poor eating habits, irritability, isolation, anxiety, no excitement, and minimal fluctuation in mood. This is not me. Depression may also include: poor hygiene, suicidal thoughts, recurring hospitalizations, and suicide attempts. Depression looks different for everybody. However, the common denominator is feeling low, unlike ourselves, and suffering in a mediocre state of mind and lifestyle. If any of these feeling...

Here is a glimpse of the thoughts going through my mind as my God was bringing me back to reality and recovery. This is an excerpt from my book, Coping Takes Work:  “My body stated trembling, and I started crying profusely. I was frightened, but suddenly reconnected. Reality hit me. My mind was warring with itself, and I was the victim - but also the instigator! As I became unstuck, I had an epiphany. God told me what everybody else already knew. My illness was at its worst, and my thinking was off-balance. My thoughts were spiraling out of control, adding to the turmoil. I was detrimentally unstable. I could not control my crisis, myself, nor my life at this point. I was losing myself, but I was the last to recognize the dominant indications of my poor state of mind" ("Introduction"). To read more purchase a copy on Amazon today.

Author of Coping Takes Work "It seemed as if everybody was obsessed with me and everywhere, I went, somebody was watching. Every comment I made somebody was listening. Every step I took somebody was monitoring" (excerpt from Coping Takes Work, "Introduction" by Ashley Smith). I was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 20. Common symptoms of my condition include: severe suspicion and paranoia, seeing and hearing things that others do not, false beliefs, anxiety, and loss of reality, etc. Fortunately, my mental illness is manageable. I am a single-parent and still enjoy life despite living with mental health challenges. Support my mission to offer mental health awareness and purchase a copy of my book, Coping Takes Work from Amazon, click here.

For Immediate Release  Contact: EMM Enterprise, LLC Email: info@emmenterprisellc.net Website: emmenterprisellc.net New Book Redefines Recovery with Practical Coping Tools Atlanta, Georgia—October 12, 2019—Ashley Smith, author of the blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia, self-published What’s On My Mind? Coping Takes Work, Volume II during Mental Illness Awareness Week. The blog’s key messages bring attention to schizophrenia and how recovery is possible. A popular review identified Ashley’s blog among the “Top 20 Schizophrenia Blogs and Websites to Follow in 2019.” “ Coping Takes Work is a collection of inspiring articles from my blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia. My story focuses on how I master resiliency through different coping strategies,” said Ashley Smith. Ashley Smith is a mental health advocate who has been in recovery for over 12 years. She endured a court-ordered hospitalization among a range of challenges. The advocate’s story was highlighted in Janssen...

On Tuesday, October 8th I was a guest on The Authors Lounge Radio Show. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the host, Sheryl Grace. Sheryl has experience in the mental health field and was excited about Mental Illness Awareness Week, especially today; World Mental Health Day. We talked about this blog and my book, Coping Takes Work. In fact, Sheryl encouraged me to read an excerpt, which I did, from Appendix G, "When I Woke Up." I chose to read "When I Woke Up," because the focus is on my bond between me and my son. My son was my motivation to get well when I was at my worst, as articulated in the book. Now, my new mental health book, Coping Takes Work is available on Amazon. Through this book I aim to encourage my peers in recovery to engage in therapy in order to master resiliency and wellness. My hope is for readers to purchase my book and to share it with others. This is Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12, 2019. Therefore, buy your copy of...

My book, What's On My Mind? Coping Takes Work, Volume II is available in Kindle e-book and paperback on Amazon today .  I am grateful for the contributors of this work: Brian Anderson (author of Beautiful Scars, Volume I and II), Terresa Ford, CPRP, CPS, Pat Strode, Caregiver, Shannon Murphy, LPC, CPCS, and Stacey Walker, Sr. (author of Principles of Biblical Leadership ).  Also, I appreciate my editor Sarah Mayor.  I am thankful for the book reviews: Christina Bruni (author of Left of the Dial ), Corey Jones (author of Hope Is Real ), Terri Morgan (author of The Genetic Lottery ), Jean Toole (President and CEO of Community Friendship), and Bethany Yeiser (author of Mind Estranged, and President of CURESZ Foundation). Huge shout out to my Overcoming Schizophrenia blog readers!  Also, to Jacqlyn Charles from The Women Are Worthy Show and Sheryl Grace from The Authors Lounge Radio Show for supporting mental health awareness for September's Rec...

“Ashley Smith is proof that it is possible to thrive despite living with a devastating brain disorder. Smith shares her experiences, including the ups and downs of her health through the years, in her new book, What's On My Mind: Coping Takes Work. This slim, well written volume provides a blueprint for living well with schizophrenia. Loaded with information, resources, and practical advice for coping with a severe and persistent mental disorder, Smith has created an essential guide for anyone who is living with schizophrenia, or loves someone who is. The book includes a collection of entries from Smith's award winning blog that have been chosen and rewritten especially for this volume. The result is a user friendly guide crafted by a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others recover from their own health challenges. Smith writes clearly and honestly about her own mental health experiences, providing readers with an insiders' understanding about her journey. ...

I will release my new book, What's On My Mind? Coping Takes Work, Volume II this month. Here are what mental health advocates and authors are saying about the book: “A recovery story of grit and grace that will empower you to manage challenges effectively.” —Christina Bruni, Author of Left of the Dial: A Memoir of Schizophrenia, Recovery and Hope  Christina Bruni is an author, blogger, and activist. “Ashley Smith’s book, Coping Takes Work, is a rich guide to staying well, despite living with the stigmatized mental health challenge of schizoaffective disorder. It offers practical recovery tips and a story of hope that will enrich the lives of those living with mental health challenges, their supporters, including mental health professionals.” —Corey Jones, Author of Hope Is Real: I Have a Purpose  Corey Jones is an author, blogger, and certified peer specialist from Atlanta, Georgia. “An essential guide for anyone who is living with schizophrenia, C...

Authors Lounge Radio Show with Sheryl Grace This is Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12, 2019 and I will be on the Authors Lounge Radio Show to discuss my new mental health book, What's On My Mind? Coping Takes Work, Volume II.  My interview with Sheryl Grace will be live on the Fishbowl Radio Network, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 4PM Central Time or 5PM Eastern Time. To listen go online to https://fbrn.us/ and stroll down to click on "Grey Stream."

For Immediate Release  Contact: EMM Enterprise, LLC  Email: info@emmenterprisellc.net   Website: emmenterprisellc.net  Blogger Inspires People with Mental Illness by Promoting Coping Tools: New Book Details How to Live Well in Recovery Atlanta, Georgia—October 5, 2019—Ashley Smith, author of the blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia, publishes her second book, What’s On My Mind? Coping Takes Work, Volume II that is forthcoming in October 2019. This book is a collection of blog articles that focuses on recovery.  Through the Overcoming Schizophrenia blog, Ashley candidly shares her journey with schizophrenia as an advocate and peer in recovery. Her blog focuses on a wide range of topics such as the benefits of therapy and practical coping techniques to maintain wellness.  Countless doctors recommend medication to support mental health recovery. However, few people discuss ways to live well in recovery. Ashley has been in recovery for ...