I Am Still Right Here

by Gregory Serfer

Some mental conditions can hide in broad daylight.

When physician Paul Schaeffer is inexplicably and suddenly dumped by Julie Bradley, an alluring and skilled nurse, several years into their often rocky but quite blissful romance, he attempts to make some sense of her behavior by mentally reliving the captivating journey from when they first met to their apparent bitter end.

Though Julie seems to have definitively replaced him with another man, Paul suspects that there is much more to understand as Julie's abusive childhood left her not only with horrible physical scars, but deep emotional wounds as well. Julie suffers with Borderline Personality Disorder, a harrowing psychological condition so complex as to make Paul question if there is not more to their unique relationship that has yet to be written.

Inspired by actual events, "I Am Still Right Here" is the compelling story of love in the dark shadow of a potentially devastating psychological ailment and how two people strive to find their way into the light.

"The Author has written a brilliant page turning story of abuse, loss, heartache, perseverance, and love that sheds light on the oft"en misunderstood borderline personality disorder (BPD). The reader is taken on a heart wrenching roller coaster journey through the eyes of the main character. The story is easily relatable to anyone who has been in a romantic relationship (just on steroids and multiplied by 1000). This book is a wonderful and engaging story for any avid reader and the discussion section provides unparalleled and groundbreaking insight into those suffering from or affected by BPD."
-Michelle Fein (Amazaon Review)

Genres: Psychology

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2022

Reviews

[Michelle Fein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serfer has written a brilliant page turning story of abuse, loss, heartache, perseverance, and love that sheds light on the often misunderstood borderline personality disorder (BPD). The reader is taken on a heart wrenching roller coaster journey through the eyes of the main character. The story is easily relatable to anyone who has been in a romantic relationship (just on steroids and multiplied by 1000). This book is a wonderful and engaging story for any avid reader and the discussion section provides unparalleled and groundbreaking insight into those suffering from or affected by BPD.

[Paul Marron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one night because I couldn't stop reading it. This incredibly compelling, extraordinarily readable story provides invaluable insight to an omnipresent, universally misdiagnosed, devastating disorder that tyrannizes those afflicted with it and that can and does crush those who love them. As indispensable, it offers more than just hope to anyone with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and those held hostage by it. This gripping, remarkable narrative - the farthest thing from just another in the long line of standard 'how to identify and treat BPD' texts and/or guidebooks - gives everyone from the layman to the professional clinician with experience with and knowledge of BPD, an exceptionally accurate, readily identifiable, easily understandable and highly practical - and therefore very important - perspective of how and why BPD manifests; the grim, collateral damage it causes loved ones; and the amazing love and commitment that are key to arresting its progression and reducing and rendering impotent its foundation of maltreatment, fear, and hopelessness. The endof-the-book discussion is priceless. A five-star read by any measure.

[steven edell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first time author this was certainly an excellent book. As a physician, I am fully aware of various types of personality disorders and I think Serfer really does an outstanding job in his case analysis of Julie as well as her physician husband, Paul. The story of Julie and Paul is a very humane and beautiful story about their love for each other intertwined with Julie's underlying personality disorder. I strongly recommend the book for anyone who has a friend or relative with a personality disorder. The discussion at the end of the book is very well done and answers a lot of questions about this disease as it plays out in the story and allows the reader to better understand mental illness.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is very moving and a great read. I finished it in less than a day. I just needed to find out what happened. Why? I love the characters. I could relate to the story. The story moved me emotionally on so many levels. I highly recommend this novel for its readability, its message, and what it teaches. You learn so much! This book made me cry, laugh, smile and even gasp. If you want an engaging and emotionally stirring book that moves fast, well, this book is perfect. Awesome!!

[Gregory Serfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this is my husband's book. Full disclosure, right? With that out of the way, I want to write that I truly enjoyed this book and believe me, I read it many times as it was being written. In my opinion, it is a page turner and emotional. It is funny, happy, sad and inspiring. I think it moves quickly as it is not too long, but you also become very immersed in the story. A person gains a lot from reading his book. Please do so. Thank you.

[Roxanne Treat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner of a read as it engages your emotions in such a manner that you simply must know what happens next. Further, the book skillfully describes a much misunderstood psychological condition...shedding light on it in a way that is certain to bring aid to both sufferers of Borderline Personality Disorder as well as the people in relationships with them. This is a beautiful story of love, hope, dedication, perseverance and bravery. I highly recommend this unique and engaging book .

[Gary Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional but so educational too. I read it fast because I kept wanting to know what happened and what would become of the characters. The characters, especially the main ones, are awesome. I mean I really found myself caring what would become of them. I also want to say that the last chapter was such a unique addition to the book. This book did for me what I think the author intended. I bought some copies as gifts for friends.

[Bobbi S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very easy read and a compelling story of coming out of the depths of cruelty and sadness to a fulfilling life and love.

You will cry and cheer.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a unique read and I am not sure I ever read a novel like it. So it is a touching love story but the love story is used as a platform to educate the reader about a psychological condition. I thought this was very clever and cool. The story moves quickly but it was also immersive. I was hooked in from the beginning. I found the book emotionally moving and inspiring. I just loved the main female character who I view the book as mainly about. She intrigued me. I suppose what I most want to say is that this story is not your typical romance. Yes, it is touching and romantic but I believe the author (a doctor in real life according to his author page) used this rocky romance story to teach readers about a misunderstood mental condition. Readers finish the book having been educated by an enjoyable and emotional journey of love and dedication. If only my school teachers knew this awesome method. I will definitely re-read it and I don't do that very often. Thanks.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Serfer, compassionately yet vividly, takes us with him on his tumultuous journey in his search for answers to understand Julie’s behavior, never losing his commitment to the belief that their relationship was worth the pain and perseverance of rekindling their romance.

His book is beautifully descriptive and so cleverly written in his unique writing style. The book moved me deeply, and I could not put it down from the very first page of the heartbreaking prologue until the very last page.

Also, as a person diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder myself, I found this semi-fictionalized story very relatable. I think that this book is also a fantastic medium for loved ones of those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder to learn about the disorder in an engaging and easily digestible way.

To add to the magnificence of this book, it ends with a discussion about Borderline Personality Disorder written from Julie’s point of view.

Excellent work of literary art!!

[Melissa Sontag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in 1 night. It was moving and brilliantly written. Also- gave a lot of insight about BPD so helpful regarding someone that I care about who I suspect has it.

[Ellen B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing, but enlightening. A mental illness that we should probably know about.

[Faried Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!

Brilliant writing! Page turning! Educational! Moving!