Overcoming Schizophrenia

Overcoming Schizophrenia Guest Blogger: Author, Charles Porter — His work opens up conversations around: Living meaningfully with voices How identity exists beyond diagnosis What people often misunderstand about these experiences There’s a moment that comes early for a lot of people who hear voices. It’s not always dramatic. No thunderclap, no clear dividing line. It’s quieter than that. It’s the moment you realize you’re going to have to live a life with this. Not cure it. Not outrun it. Not wait for it to disappear one day like a bad season. Just live with it. And from there, everything changes. The way people talk about hearing voices tends to flatten the experience. It gets reduced to a label, then a prognosis, then a set of expectations about what a life will look like. Most of those expectations are narrow. Many are wrong. Because what often gets missed is that people who hear voices don’t stop being people. They build lives. They work. They fall in love. They develop routines, p...

This book, A Good Life: The Perception of Perfection (Revised Edition) , is rich with insight on living with schizophrenia. It provides approaches to managing the condition... Thank you, Karl for sharing your recovery story and bringing your new book to us. Guest Blogger: Karl Lorenz Willett. Thank you, Ashley, for inviting me to be a guest blogger on your website. I am a big fan of your blog and always look forward to your new post. The depth of insightful information or a particular point raised provided a lot of practical, valuable information that has been incredibly helpful. Key Points in this post/blog: My mission is to provide clear explanations and valuable, insightful, and informative blogs that resonate with your readers and will benefit them. In my recently published book, A Good Life: The Perception of Perfection (Revised Edition), I hope to offer a new perspective on paranoid schizophrenia. I hope that readers will be enthusiastic about the content and purchase a copy of...

       Join the conversation in our Share it with Charlotte podcast interview: "Connecting With Ashley Smith's Journey - In Her Own Ink." Leave a comment. We discuss my journey of recovery, family life and new book, In Her Own Ink. Also, I encourage you to look at our past interview: Share it with Charlotte "Crushing the Spirit of Depression."      I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my story and to talk about mental health and my new book, In Her Own Ink. I enjoyed my experience on Charlotte's show because she always makes me feel at home.     Thank you, Charlotte for allowing me to share my passion that is diving into mental health talks and my books. I wish you well on your show and look forward to continuing our discussion on coping with schizophrenia and related conditions.

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...

By Michelle D Sherman, PhD LP ABPP and DeAnne Sherman Individuals managing mental illness are often accompanied on the journey of recovery by loved  ones—parents, partners, siblings, friends, and children (of all ages). Sometimes the road is hopeful—perhaps a positive period of stability and growth, a new medication or therapy, or a new job. Other times, the road feels scary, confusing, sad, and overwhelming—perhaps a hospitalization, crisis, or discontinuing treatment services. Research has documented numerous mental health challenges among these family members, such as increased rates of depression, substance misuse, loneliness, and overall stress. As families often struggle with the challenges of navigating the healthcare system - supporting their loved ones through the ups and downs, encountering stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness, and managing their own well-being - it’s no wonder that the experience can be difficult and exhausting. One of the very best...

 May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Join me at my book signing 1-7pm at the Nubian Bookstore, 1540 Southlake Pkwy, Morrow, GA 30260. I would love to meet you. Purchase your copy and share. Thank you for your support!

  I've been on edge for the last week, waiting. Waiting to smile. Waiting for my new book, CRUSHING THE SPIRIT OF DEPRESSION. And, today I can finally breathe- and smile.      This book screams HOPE, JOY, & REJUVENATION. It will make you feel better. Crushing the Spirit of Depression focuses on The Creator, and motivation to explore your potential and persevere and achieve your hopes and dreams.      I created a book I wish I had on my shelf for difficult times, which we all have had at some point in our lives. The book aims to encourage you and your loved ones whenever going through something and reflecting on those widespread depressing ordeals that happens in life. Which are stressful and bring us down; financial hardship, grief and loss, health problems, low mood, and self-esteem. Or, simply to maintain wellbeing, clarity, and self-encouragement.      Crushing the Spirit of Depression has 30 prayers that praises, and holds conv...

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...

In Love with My Spirit- Again! Journal: Prayers, Affirmations, and Questions to Empower You My new book, In Love with My Spirit- Again! Journal: Prayers, Affirmations, and Questions to Empower You, is available in paperback on Amazon. This is a 30-day journal that includes short prayers, affirmations, and self-reflection questions that is divided into two parts. The purpose of this journal is to empower you through spirituality in order to facilitate self-awareness. It is important to note that I am spiritual and respect different ways of acknowledging and identifying with a higher power. As you know, I overcame significant mental health challenges. My spirituality, therapy, and support system paved the way to developing my ability to master resiliency. However, this journal is for everybody who believes in a higher power. Therefore, I encourage you to purchase a copy of my book for yourself and others to further connect with your God/Goddess by building on these short pr...

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...

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."

What’s On My Mind? Coping Takes Work! The Workshop (Description) What’s On My Mind? Coping Takes Work! The Workshop An introduction to a peer’s second book, based on her lived experience with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite maintaining wellness, her condition is still an illness that requires work! Eleven years after her first breakdown that resulted in her diagnosis, she has yet another experience where her reality is in diverse worlds in her mind, only. Coping Takes Work! focuses on how she endures the second-time around, still struggling, but not giving in! Through these experiences, reflecting on her first break, and her recent, she still sees hope. What To Expect from The Workshop A group discussion on the following concerns and needs to prepare an individual for a crisis and/or hospitalization: Warning Signs Triggers Practical Scenarios  Your Coping Skills  Advance Directive The Facilitator Ashley Smith is a lived experienced expert, c...

September is "National Recovery Month." It seems that I almost forgot this?! However, I do not want you to let this special month of recognition go by without additional reflection on the meaning of recovery. Despite living with mental health challenges since my diagnosis in 2007, my definition of recovery changes to me! Although I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, my treatment team switched my official diagnosis to schizo-affective disorder early on without much discussion. As you may be aware, already, schizo-affective disorder is schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Over the years I gained a lot of knowledge about schizophrenia, and not enough about bipolar disorder, which I will work on, every diagnosis requires attention at recovery! Every diagnosis can damage a good person and their loved ones, however, recovery can overcome many struggles with mental health concerns... In 2007, I was hospitalized. And, in 2018, I was hospitalized, again. Through my experience ...