Ann Gonzalez

Andrea is a  high school student who  has PTSD as a result of being assaulted by her schizophrenic mother during  an uncontrolled psychotic episode. This new novel by Gift From Within  support pal, Ann,   is a pperfect book for a young person who suffers from  PTSD or has experienced abuse. Fortunately for Andrea she has a wonderful  dad, and a couple ofvery  good friends who are supportive and  understanding.

Her best friend  introduces Andrea to  running and  this new hobby 

also serves as a wonderful coping tool for Andrea. She says  in the book that the sounds of  running...the shh shh shh set  her free. Andrea also  has a good  therapist  who explains at the right time that she has PTSD and not Schizophrenia as Andrea felt that perhaps she was alsosuffering  from the same disease as her mom.  This is an important moment for Andrea.

This book will remind you of your high school years.  The author adds  humor which helps because you are surrounded by the profound  sadness of Andrea's life.  It also carefully includes information that  is very important, namely the benefits of social engagement which helps  Andrea feelless isolated and at times deepens her resolve to move towards  hope and

resiliency. One cannot help feel Andrea's pain and and there is a  scene

between Andrea and her mom that is scary but it is appropriate and  handled sensitively. I believe high school students will learn about mental  illness and will hopefully turn this understanding into compassion and  empathy. Part of Andrea’s symptoms include depression.  Depression among adolescents is widespread. We cannot ignore the fact that  our young people are dealing with parents and relatives and friends that  suffer froma variety of mental illnesses whether  caused by human  cruelty, natural disasters and/or chemical imbalances.

Andrea also  deals with anxiety, flashbacks, dissociation and the other

sometimes  overwhelming symptoms of trauma Andrea struggles with various roles, being a  student trying to manage schoolwork, her few friendships, a worried Dad, and  the very scary proposition of a Mom returninghome and all that  entails.

I am very glad that the author showed what can occur  during therapy

sessions.  I believe young people will feel less  frightened about what a

well trained trauma therapist really does. The book  also teaches young

people not to feel blame or inadequate about dealing with  mentally ill

relatives. That is not our job but we are sometimes forced to  do it anyway. We are not trained or taught in school or at home what to  expect in these types of circumstances. In my household we were taught to  keep secrets and not talk outside the family. That doesn't work. This book  sheds some light on a difficult topic with sensitivity, warmth, humor and  compassion. Kudos to first time author Ann Gonzalez. I look forward to  reading more novels by Ann G. Please note that this book will be available via Amazon in March.  

I will send out a link to everyone when it's  available for purchase. Also  if you would like to listen a radio interview  with Ann please go to

KUOW Sound Focus  Ann's interview starts about l4

minutes into the program.