Normal by Whose Standards?: Debunking Myths That Surround Mental Illness

By Tyeisha Brewer-Fields

Tyeisha Brewer-Fields grew up wanting so badly to be normal.

It took her time to accept that she is not normal—and even longer to embrace that that’s OK. When she finally did, she began thinking about why society makes anyone who does not fit into a neat little box feel so bad.

In this book, she shares her struggles as well as her belief that God loves us all and made us in His image. She also points out that He gave us His son, Jesus Christ, so that we all may have eternal life. God made this sacrifice for all of us, including those that don’t fit the definition of “normal.” No matter what the author has had to go through, reminding herself that God loves her has allowed her to overcome challenges—and they can help you, too.

Too many people continue to suffer from a mental disorder in silence because society has turned a blind eye to their problems. Join the author as she shares her personal story of overcoming the obstacles and debunking the myths that surround mental illness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jun 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480878112

Tyeisha Brewer-Fields

Tyeisha Brewer-Fields has battled numerous mental health issues and is a longtime advocate of mental health. She is enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in the behavioral health field at an online university. She hopes to promote mental health awareness with the general public by sharing her story. She would like to one day own a mental health practice that will serve as a safe haven for those suffering from mental disorders. Tyeisha currently lives in Hartwell, Georgia.

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Copyright © 2019 Tyeisha Brewer-Fields.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7809-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7810-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-7811-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019906766

Archway Publishing rev. date: 06/11/2019

CONTENTS

Prologue

Health Disclaimer

What’s Your Normal?

1 Emotional Intelligence

2 More than Mental

3 Visit to the Neurosurgeon

4 Surgery

5 No More Medication?

6 No Swiping!

7 Victor; Not Victim

8 The Diagnosis

9 In Addition to Prayer

10 The Purpose

Epilogue

Notes/Facts

References

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All the glory belongs to God. When I think about God, I think about unconditional love. Have you ever had someone to name you the reasons why they can’t love you, care about you, or even be your friend? In case you haven’t experienced it, it is a very heart wrenching feeling. The amazing thing about God, though, is that he loves us through every. Single. Flaw. He even loves what others find impossible to love about us. When those who are dearest to us find it easy to turn their backs on us, guess who’s still there? Our Father in Heaven. His love for us is indescribable, and it feels amazing to know that imperfect and flawed doesn’t keep him from loving me. Thank You, God, for always loving me!

My children, you all have made me strong in so many ways. I have had a chance to stare my strength dead in the face through you guys. When I felt like I could no longer go on, it was you all that taught me that I am strong enough to push through and overcome anything. All of you gave me the chance to experience unconditional through you as well. You brought so much joy into my life. For all of this, I am thankful. So, my precious babies, I want to say thank you!

My dearest Christopher Eric Sr., I can’t even begin to describe the appreciation that I have for you. The way you push me and support me in my goals and dreams is nothing short of amazing. I probably got on your nerves telling you to proofread each chapter of the book as I typed it, but you never it let it be known if I did. Has every day with you been a walk in the park? Of course not. There have been times where we were not at all in the best of terms, but through it all you have never failed to be there for and support the kids and I in everything- even if I just needed to talk or vent. Thank You for everything you have done. Thank You for loving me and seeing the good in me when I couldn’t even love or see it in myself. I look forward to doing the rest of this life sentence with you!

Clarence and Kimberly- daddy and mama (as my siblings and me say) or Kimma and Grandpy (as my children say), to have the kind of parents that will still be there for their children even in adulthood is a blessing. I am proud to say that I have those kinds of parents. The love that you two have for your kids and grandkids is beyond amazing. For that, I am truly thankful although I may not say it enough. There has not been a time that I have called with an issue (anxiety attacks mainly) and you have not been there. Thank You both!

To the rest of my wonderful family, friends, and supporters while I may not be able to name you all individually, just know that the love and support you have gave me hasn’t gone unnoticed. You all have greatly impacted my life, and I appreciate every one of you from the bottom of my heart. To you all, thank you!

To every who counted me out or turned your backs on me, THANK YOU!

In my sociology class, I had a discussion question that asked, Some typical agents of socialization are: family, school, religion, friends, relatives, and mass media. What agents of socialization have influenced you the most? Describe the influence on your attitudes, beliefs, values, or other orientations to life. How have they made you the person that you are today? My response was:

"With so many life influences, it was hard for me to choose just one agent of socialization. As agents of socialization are things and people that has an influence of our orientations to life, the agents of socialization that has influenced me the most are religion, family, friends, and