Letters From A Bipolar Mother (Chronicles of A Fractured Life) [Kindle Edition]

Alyssa Reyans (Author)

Book Description

In "Letters From A Bipolar Mother", Alyssa Reyans tells the story she's never been able to tell her children: of how she lost them in a battle with her own mental illness. she shares with them - and the world - what the mind of a woman suffering bipolar depression looks like, how the darkness she battled on a daily basis almost won, and how, years later, she found the courage to claw her way out of the abyss.

Covering a span of five years, Alyssa Reyans shares both her pain and strength in a struggle against an incurable illness that many women today also share.

(novella length approx 86 book pages)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alyssa Reyans is an American expat. Originally from the deep south, she converted to Islam in 1994 and moved overseas in 2005. She currently resides overseas with her husband and continues her daily battle with mental illness and the ghosts of her past. For updates on the series, Chronicles of a Fractured Life, follow Alyssa at her website http://www.alyssareyans.com

Product Details

• File Size: 277 KB
• Print Length: 88 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615600689
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Alyreyans Press (February 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0075Z2S2G
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,330 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #69 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Depression
  • #98 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars: A book that tackles a tough, misunderstood topic. February 20, 2012

By Heidi

Format:Kindle Edition

I admit, I was hesitant to read this book because, well let's face it, reading books with weighty subject matter can often be difficult. I wasn't going to read this one, but then my inner psychologist was itching to take a peek. I ended up reading it in one sitting. This book is an emotional roller coaster. Alyssa takes you through the highs and lows of living with bipolar disorder. No, it isn't pleasant and it is hard to understand what a person suffering from depression goes through, but Alyssa manages to take your hand and lead you into the belly of the beast. Her life is full of heartbreak and tragedy. Starting at a young age when she was molested by her own father. At a time when abuse and depression were just beginning to come to light. Unfortunately, she lived through it when it was still okay to sweep it under the rug and ignore it. Consequently, Alyssa was forced to deal with the fall out of the abuse on top of battling an illness she didn't know she had. Two suicide attempts later and she is still reeling, trying to secure her footing. Then as a teenager she finds herself as the mother of two young children, trying to be a good mother while doing her best to keep her world from spiraling out of control. Little did she know that soon she would make the decision to leave her children with their father for a short time, never realizing it would be the last time she saw them. Now years later, Alyssa properly diagnosed, has finally comes to terms with her illness. She accepts responsibility for her actions and avoids placing blame on her mental illness. A truly courageous and remarkable step. She continually fights a daily battle, like anyone who suffers from depression can tell you, there are good days and bad. It is a constant struggle to keep the beast at bay.... Separated by time and distance across an ocean of misunderstanding, Alyssa wrote this novella to reach out to her children and let them know that despite the painful past she has always loved them and always will. Not knowing if her words will ever reach them, she hopes that in sharing her story she can climb a little further out of the belly of the beast, known as depression. Hopefully, by sharing her story she can help others struggling with this debilitating illness. If you suffer from, or know someone with depression, then you will understand how this beast ravages and destroys families. I hope that her words will help others and that there will be continued strides made toward curing and spreading awareness on depression. Alyssa is braver than she gives herself credit. I truly wish her continued success in her valiant fight. I pray that her words will find her children. Good luck Alyssa, thanks for being courageous enough to share your story.

Favorite Quotations:
"If for one second, you release control or look away, the monster takes control of your life, and it could be days, weeks, months or even years, before you realize you have fallen back into the abyss and once again have to dig your way out."
"I want you to know if this illness ever touches your life, there is someone who understands."
"Except you cannot outrun insanity, anymore than you can outrun your own shadow."
"My sanity succumbed to the internal chaos, and I floated through life. I was a mere passenger in the shell of my body. I did not control it. It controlled me." Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A terrifying & compelling look April 1, 2012

By fishducky

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I opened the book an hour or two ago & just finished it. It was impossible put down. It was a terrifying & compelling look into the mind of a bipolar. It gave me an inkling of just how powerful the human mind can be.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars too short October 18, 2012

By wheeeeeeeeeeee

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought this book was too short. I enjoyed reading it and seeing the troubles that she went through. I could not imagine what it would be like to not have anyone to notice that my behavior was so manic. And it is sad to know that she may never get in touch with her children again. Ending is happy tho!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A one-sitting read March 21, 2012

By S. M. Johnson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a mental health worker, and read Letters From a Bi-Polar Mother in one sitting. Mental Illness is difficult to understand - and the actions of a person in a manic state of bi-polar are absolutely incomprehensible, even to someone like myself, who has at least a clinical understanding of the disorder.

Reyans does a stellar job of explaining disassociation; how it started for her as a means to escape horrific abuse when she was a child, and how it continued to be how she copes with stress long into adulthood.

I found myself hoping the author's children read this book and someday seek to have a relationship with their mother. This is a book that offers no excuses, only explanation and apology.

"I am sorry you never knew how loved you were and how loved you are. The "I am sorries" are endless. If I wrote for all of eternity, I would never find their end."

This is short, but powerful book. I will be watching for more Chronicles of A Fractured Life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Equally understood June 15, 2013

By Michele C., Hampton Virginia

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so glad I chose this book as one of my new reads since I normally would choose mystery or romance novels as a first choice. This book enlightened me in so many ways. I am grateful to the author of this book because as a bipolar disease sufferer, I could now choose to share the dread I felt and still sometimes feel with my family and others close to me. I feel like I'm not alone anymore and that there is a way to go on living a somewhat normal existence even though times get hard to deal with. I now am able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for opening my eyes to find ways to live and learn more about me and the ability to heal!!!! This book is awe inspiring. Thanks again.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written June 1, 2013

By Angela Hebert

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very beautifully written. Sadly, it's a tale that all bipolar mothers can relate to. Looking forward to the next in the series.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Great May 9, 2013

By overeater

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Its all about her & nothing about the kids. I was disappointed.Wanted to read about her interactions with her children but she abandoned them.

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting March 5, 2013

By justme

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This gave me a side of the disease that i hadn't considered. The side of this is a lonely side and very sad.

More About the Author

Alyssa Reyans is an American expat. Originally from the deep south, she converted to Islam in 1994 and moved overseas in 2005. She currently resides overseas with her husband and continues her daily battle with mental illness and the ghosts of her past.
For updates on the series, Chronicles of a Fractured Life, follow Alyssa at her website http://www.alyssareyans.com