Review: One Amazing Lady
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2012
It takes a lot of courage to admit you have a problem, and even more to seek help for it. I consider it nothing less than heroic to then relive all the pain and suffering to tell the rest of the world exactly what you went through once you finally come out on the other side.I have heard about OCD, of course, but have never really understood it until Ruth opened up and explained what she was thinking and feeling while in the clutches of this debilitating mental disorder. I never knew it was a type of depression, and therefore, never knew it was also caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which could be treated by drugs, the same as other types of mental illness. I guess I just assumed that if someone had it, that's the way they were, and nothing could be done about it.I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from OCD, thinks they MAY suffer from OCD, knows someone who suffers from it, or who just wants to learn more about it. Nobody can explain what the experience is like better than someone who's been there; not even a mental health care professional. No textbook in the world can substitute for personal experience.Ruth, I applaud your bravery in your willingness to share with the world the worst of yourself, and the worst times of your life so that we may learn and have more empathy and patience with others in our sphere of influence who may suffer the same thing, either knowingly or unknowingly. Thank you for pointing out the symptoms and behavioural patterns so that we may recognise what the sufferers themselves may not. I would also hope that those who read this book would have more compassion in pointing out the problem to other people than the person who pointed it out to you.Most of all, I thank you for providing a ray of hope to those who probably feel as hopeless and helpless as you once did. To know the type of quirky, humorous and heartwarming stories that now come from your pen (computer), this is something I never would have guessed about you.