Firebird Speak Up Talk Radio Book Award - Winner in the Mental Health Category!

An Apparently Normal Person by Bonnie R. Armstrong is a strikingly candid and powerful memoir, delving deep into the author’s journey through medical mystery and personal discovery. This exploration begins as Armstrong, a career-focused child advocate, faces a series of baffling physical ailments. Her quest for answers uncovers a shocking childhood trauma, revealing the roots of her dissociative disorder. This disorder, initially a protective mechanism, eventually manifests as overwhelming mental and physical symptoms that challenge her.

Armstrong’s narrative is nothing short of compelling. Her unflinching honesty in recounting her experiences brings to life both the pain and the strength that is inherent in her story. Her writing style is vulnerable and insightful, making it a gripping read. The book’s portrayal of dissociative disorders stands out for its depth and clarity. It invites readers into a world often misunderstood. I found Armstrong’s journey through self-discovery, acceptance, and eventually empowerment to be moving as well as inspiring.

The exploration of mental health stigma and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity are notable themes. The memoir offers a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind and body and the role of dissociation as a coping mechanism. It’s a testament to resilience, shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness and compassion.

An Apparently Normal Person is a mu...

In the mid-1990s, the author found herself in the middle of a health scare in which she experienced brain fog, a loss of speech, and weak leg muscles. With doctors finding no basis for her physical symptoms, she soon recovered. Repeated episodes lead to a mental health diagnosis in March 2002: It was in the office of Julia, Armstrong’s psychologist, that the problem was determined to be dissociative disorder. The author’s understanding of her life and family unraveled; her memoir is split into eight parts, chronicling the long and winding road this unraveling took. When asked about any past traumas, the only thing Armstrong could remember was that, at the age of 12, she tried to commit suicide. This became the key to understanding that, in the author’s characteristically candid words, “The seemingly normal life I had lived turned out to be a well-orchestrated illusion to which I could not return.” Years of abuse at the hands of family members led Armstrong to develop several alternate identities within herself to keep her safe from traumatic memories. Parts of the book are excerpted from work written by members of her community; these are perhaps the most poignant sections of the story, demonstrating the lengths to which the human mind will go to protect itself. Armstrong’s prose is introspective and steady—as readers immerse themselves in her health journey, they will come to appreciate what an incredible feat it is that the writing maintains these qualities. The memoir shines with the author’s sheer determination to remain positive and move forward: She traveled the world, connected with other family, made wonderful friends, and worked hard in a career advocating for children. Her book is an important contribution to understanding the experience of living with dissociative disorder.