By: Samantha Schutz Publisher: Scholastic Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Scholastic Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 288 Publication Date: August 01, 2007 Reading Level: Young Adult
Product Description: This is a true story of growing up, breaking down, and coming to grips with a psychological disorder. When Samantha Schutz first left home for college, she was excited by the possibilities -- freedom from parents, freedom from a boyfriend who was reckless with her affections, freedom from the person she was supposed to be. At first, she revelled in the independence. . . but as pressures increased, she began to suffer anxiety attacks that would leave her mentally shaken and physically incapacitated. Thus began a hard road of discovery and coping, powerfully rendered in this poetry memoir.
interesting Okay, well I'm not sure why everyone thinks this is such a magnificent book. The story line was interesting, but I must say it could have been much better. If you like nothing more than 4 letter words and 5 word sentences than it's great. It does make you feel sorry for Samantha which seems to be the only point of the book but to say she was in college when she wrote this is almost unbelievable.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too Millions of people suffer from anxiety disorder (panic attacks) on a daily basis. Most suffer needlessly, either due to lack of medical treatment, misdiagnosis, or ignorance of the condition. I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY is one woman's brave confession of her struggles with the debilitating disorder.
Samantha Schutz was first diagnosed with anxiety disorder at age seventeen, after years of suffering with the problem. She uses this memoir to describe the devastating effects of the condition on her life and her relationships. The book chronicles the ups and downs of Samantha's life from age seventeen until she graduates from college and gets her first job in the publishing industry.
Told in verse, the story reveals everything from the gripping terror of the attacks to the many therapists she consulted for help. Samantha titles her entries with the current drugs (Klonopin, Serzone, Xanax, Paxil, etc.) and the dosages she was prescribed to treat her condition. She also explains her attempts to stop the medications, and her belief that things would get better, only to relapse with increasing frequency.
Samantha's honesty is evident throughout. She doesn't promise miracle cures, and she truly marvels at the support she received from her family and most of her friends. This is an inspiring book for anyone living with or connected to someone living with anxiety disorder.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
A honest portrayal of a girl's struggle with anxiety disorder When Samantha Schutz first left home for college, she was excited by the possibilities-freedom from parents, freedom from a boyfriend, freedom from the person she was supposed to be. At first, she reveled in the independence-but as the pressures increased, she began to suffer anxiety attacks that would leave her mentally shaken and incapacitated.
This is a very honest portrayal of someone suffering from an anxiety disorder. This story brought back memories of my own attacks when I went away to college. And just like the author shows, each episode is scary and you do start questioning your own sanity.
The free verse style of writing makes the story even more real. The reader can't help but feel for Samantha as she goes through an episode, her experiences with meds, therapists, and how she comes to grips with not only her illness but her own sanity.
I highly recommend this book.
Wonderful book with great style!! I gave this book as a present to a few girls in my family. Everyone in my family loved the book and now Samantha Schutz is one of our favorite authors. Thank you for a wonderful book.
I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY is an excellent commentary on pitfalls and stress. Samantha Schutz's I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY tells of Samantha, who leaves home for college filled with expectations and excitement. As she revels in change, new pressures evolve and she begins to suffer anxiety attacks that threaten her newfound independence. Few stories are written to explore older teens leaving home and the pressures they face: I DON'T WANT TO BE CRAZY is an excellent commentary on pitfalls and stress.
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