Overcoming Schizophrenia

Hi Overcoming Schizophrenia Blog Family, today my story was featured on the local news in Atlanta.  Sharing my story reminds me of those dark moments that created chaos for me and my family. However, through hope, loved ones and treatment and therapy, I'm able to experience better days.  First Recovery Speech; Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (2010)   When I was diagnosed back in 2007, there were not a lot of people openly sharing their testimonies of recovery. Even the pharmaceutical companies didn't promote treatment for peers living with schizophrenia! I couldn't identify with any public figures who had schizophrenia. I remember a television special with Diana Ross; Out of the Darkness. Her character's story of recovery and schizophrenia reminds me of my own. That movie reiterated what recovery can look like. Here we are in 2025, there are a lot of individuals living with schizophrenia who articulate their recovery publicly. And, a lot of treatment options are pr...

For a long time, I dreamed about being an author. A peer in recovery walked me through the steps of self-publishing my blog book and now I'm assisting individuals with their book-writing.       In 2014, I self-published my first blog book, What's On My Mind? A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia, Volume I, foreword by Christina Bruni. I was fortunate to get recognition from the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Inc. when they gave every attendee a copy of my book at their conference in 2014 at St. Simon's Island in Georgia, "The Year of the Peer." They purchased 500 copies of the book.     Currently, I published my seventh book, In Her Own Ink: Strategies for Creating from Author to Author (2025). This book is a creative wordsmith handbook for non-fiction authors. It's unique in that I interview five fellow authors for tips on book-writing. I interviewed the following authors: Venessa Abram Christina Bruni Felicia Johnson Terri M...

Enjoy reading this blog? Continue diving into my world of recovery by looking at my blog books. I've reduced the price of all three for the holidays: What's on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia What's on My Mind? Volume II, Coping Takes Work What's on My Mind? Volume III, Controlling the Weight of Depression Click here to visit Ashley's Author Page. What's on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia This is a must read because it's provides a closer look inside my mind during the traumas of being engulfed in my symptoms of schizophrenia but also the triumphs of recovery. It is a record of the beginnings of my recovery and advocacy work. What's on My Mind? Volume II, Coping Takes Work This is a great read that encourages you to consider therapy. Coping Takes Work discusses the benefits of therapy and offers a wide range of coping skills that ...

I am very excited to share another blog book with you! I hope you will read it, share it and let me know how you're doing.  amazon.com/author/smithashley Here's an overview of my book:      The book, What's on My Mind? Volume III, Controlling the Weight of Depression is a collection of blog articles from Overcoming Schizophrenia. The articles detail the recovery journey of blogger, advocate, and author, Ashley Smith.      The blog posts cover Ashley's experience with mental health that is examined over the course of 2019 to 2024. Her story shows resiliency at work offering hope, awareness, and strategies to control your depression and keep pressing forward.      The blog entries are uplifting and promote healthy lifestyle habits such as meditation, therapy, exercise, journaling, and a wide range of coping techniques that will undoubtedly help you get a handle on your depression and feel better.      Ashley's message is cl...

World Schizophrenia Day is important because it validates the importance of spreading awareness about people living with schizophrenia. Still, the truth is schizophrenia is NOT a personality disorder. Schizophrenia is a thought disorder that can make it difficult to speak, think clearly, and problem solve. It is made up of a wide range of symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. Unlike other illnesses, people living with schizophrenia have more challenges to treatment and recovery. The stigma alone, discourages countless people from getting diagnosed, and perpetuates the suffering in silence.  World Schizophrenia Day is a powerful opportunity to promote the truth that recovery is possible.  In the updated blog book, What’s on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, I wrote a poem, “Remember, Me.” It captures the human perspective on living with schizophrenia. Simply put, we are human, too. Remember, Me. by Ashley Smith Will you remember me when I am not myself? ...

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the You Matter! Podcast by host Karen Ortman, Associate Vice President, Campus Safety Operations NYU-NY. This interview explores common myths, symptoms, and ways to cope with schizophrenia and related conditions. The show looks at my recovery journey and focuses on the early warning signs, challenges of being looked at differently, and how I stay motivated to work on my recovery. Click here to listen. I appreciate Karen for bringing awareness to schizophrenia because it is not given enough attention compared to other health issues. On the show we talk about my parenting concerns, alternative treatment options, and identify my new book. My book, What’s on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition (2022), is the updated version of my first blog book. It has a new introduction, final chapter, and added sections at the end of the book. It is available on my author page on Amazon . The You Matter! Podcast wa...

Upcoming Event where Ashley Smith will present her story and book. Atlanta, Georgia area. $35 Tickets, lunch and refreshments included. Go to the website below, click on "Donate" and include your name and Ashley Smith's name in the comments section for the special rate. To register visit: changingthecycle.org

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.

“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."

A Portion Of Proceeds Go To NAMI Georgia - National Alliance On Mental Illness Contact Ashley for Details on $10 Discount for Workshop, TODAY.  Email:info@emmenterprisellc.net

I have a lot to say, however, I am hesitant to blog about it, because I am working on a couple of books. I will publish a collective piece with peers, and also publish my follow up book to What's On My Mind? later this year (2017). While I am excited to share my recovery journey I am frequently challenged by the ability to appropriately delegate my writings between the blog and book. My "Overcoming Schizophrenia" blog is still my healthy outlet and love... I appreciate all readers and strive to give my love to them forever through my self-expressive writings in order to relate, educate, and to further empower our growing recovery community and tight-knit recovery network; online and in-person. In fact, there have been many times when I got on my laptop to develop a blog entry on life lessons of my recovery, but chose not to complete it in order to convert it into a chapter in my book. Once, I valued my Bible more than anything...then it was my journal; like a safe...

A couple of weeks ago I visited St. Simon's Island, Georgia to attend the annual Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Inc. (GMHCN) conference. The theme of this year's conference was "The Year of the Peer." I enjoyed the three-day conference because of the fellowship with my peers and the honor to be one of the keynote speakers among Georgia's Commissioner Frank Berry and Jana Spalding. I titled my talk, "I Choose To Live!," which was inspired by Jen's award title. I spoke about my experiences, how I am living a quality life in recovery, and what peer support looks like. My talk encouraged everyone to talk to their neighbor and to create a title for their inspirational book. The experience was amazing because I was able to get each individual to help others with their talents and gifts. Moreover, every attendee received a copy of my book, which was so exciting! I signed my book for others throughout the remaining days of the conference an...

NAMI Georgia Annual Conference, Mercer University (2014) On April 26th I shared my recovery story and first book, What's on My Mind? A Collection of Blog Entries from "Overcoming Schizophrenia," at NAMI Georgia's annual conference at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. This event enabled me to network with more individuals who advocate for those of us living with a mental illness. I had a great experience and really enjoyed talking to others who were from all over the state of Georgia, and support mental health awareness. I have a speaking engagement and book signing with the NAMI Family Support Group at Lake Oconee, located at Lakeside Church in Greensboro,GA at 6:30 PM. I am looking forward to sharing my recovery experience and promoting my new book. Therefore, if you reside nearby come join us to hear my story in-person click here to see flyer.  RSVP at NAMI.LakeOconee@gmail.com. My book is available on Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com

My first book is here! My blog book, What's on My Mind? A Collection of Blog Entries from "Overcoming Schizophrenia," is my first book and is not my last! My book shares my personal recovery story with mental illness and offers hope and awareness. This book will be a great reading for anyone affected by mental illness and is available on Amazon for under $13.99 plus shipping. This is a great reading for individuals who are newly diagnosed with mental illness, family members, educators and students, providers, and others interested in learning about the lived experience. I hope you will continue to show your support and purchase my book.