Finding Peace Amid the Chaos: My Escape From Depression and Suicide

by Tanya Brown, William Croyle

Finding Peace Amid the My Escape From Depression and Suicide is Tanya Brown’s courageous and inspirational account of her 15-year battle with depression caused by several losses in her life, including the deaths of her two best friends and her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson.

With fellow author William Croyle, Tanya Brown has told her story in frank terms, letting the reader into her troubled times and struggles. She shares compelling and profoundly personal stories about her journey through the darkness, including excerpts from journals she kept during treatment.

Tanya takes readers on a healing journey of how she managed her depression and the importance of seeking help. The joy and determination she expresses today through her presentations and through the use of twelve tools to living a better life is an encouragement to anyone who is walking the walk of depression.

Reviews "Having battled chronic depression for almost thirty years ... I urge those who have depression, and the families and friends of those who suffer from it, to read this compelling book." --Tom Johnson, former Publisher and CEO, Los Angeles Times, former Chairman and CEO, Cable News Network (CNN)

"Captivating, riveting, and inspirational! Five stars for one of the best books I have read in a long time." --Debra Rosen, President/CEO San Diego North Chamber of Commerce and Founder of San Diego Women's Week

"Hooray for Tanya for her courage to expose (depression) for what it is and for her effort to encourage others to shed the fear of weakness and seek help earlier rather than later." --Tony Dow, Actor, Director, Producer and Sculptor

"This book is a testimony to the power of love, grace, redemption, and new dreams - no matter how dark the past, how great the pain, and no matter what others have done to us." --Casey Gwinn, Esq., President, National Family Justice Center Alliance

"Tanya takes readers on a healing journey with a straightforward and brave account of the chaos that was her life. A must read!" --Eric Hipple, former NFL quarterback, author of "Real Men Do Cry," and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Michigan Depression Center

"Now a life coach, motivational speaker, and advocate for victims of mental illness, Tanya's story is a journey from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth ... Tanya's story and tools provide understanding, hope, and help for survivors everywhere." --Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., Clinical psychologist, National speaker, and Author of the bestselling "Mindful Self-Express" blog at Psychologytoday.com

"Tanya Brown's story is one of inner conflict, overcoming adversity, and finally of victory. It exposes, for all to see, the effects of depression as something real and debilitating, even life-threatening. For those who have suffered from depression, this is a means of gaining understanding and a guide to fighting back and regaining control. Bold, honest, realistic, relevant, and inspirational; Tanya has done an excellent job of bringing the disease, its consequences, and its treatment to life." --5-star review by Bil Howard, Readers' Favorite Book Reviews

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2014

Reviews

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was split into two parts (in my mind, as I read it). The first part was mostly about the OJ case and other important milestones and losses that the author, Tanya Brown, had survived, leading up to her breakdown and hospitalization.

Tanya is very humble and upfront about the top notch, high quality care she received after her break down. I'm happy to see advocacy coming from the upper class about depression and domestic violence, and would love to see her advocacy for the lower class individuals who can't afford the sort of care she could.

Her description of her hospitalization and subsequent treatment honestly left me (as an individual who lives with treatment resistant depression and anxiety) wondering "how can I get in on some of that!?"

Unfortunately, it needs to be said that being hospitalized for a suicide attempt will not necessarily lead to this kind of quality care. In less affluent areas the experience is much more likely to be terrible, harmful, and detrimental, and not resemble in any way the kind of treatment outlined in the book. Basically, "don't try this at home, kids".

The second half of the book detailed some tips for recovery and coping with life's challenges, especially with depression or anxiety. The tips are pretty good, standard coping mechanisms such as letting go, journaling, gratitude, etc.

I'd be more likely to recommend this book to someone who is in the upper middle class, and I would not recommend it to those who struggle with poverty and depression concurrently.

Overall, I give the book 3 stars. I liked it. I would not recommend it as "self help" as the book is labeled, but rather as an interesting autobiography.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ditty

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written, insightful, interesting and encouraging. I appreciated the sincerity of Tanya Brown's story and the helpful tools that she shares. This book has such a positive message for living a peaceful life.

[Hannah Brinser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. It provided so much insight to the grief and loss process and the effect losing a family member in such a traumatic way can have on a person. I have read this book twice and loved it both times.