Scared Selfless - Michelle Stevens, PhD

Scared Selfless

By Michelle Stevens, PhD

  • Release Date: 2017-03-21
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 131 Ratings

Description

“A riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success.”—Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It

Michelle Stevens has a photo of the exact moment her childhood was stolen from her: She’s only eight years old, posing for her mother’s boyfriend, Gary Lundquist—an elementary school teacher, neighborhood stalwart, and brutal pedophile. Later that night, Gary locks Michelle in a cage, tortures her repeatedly, and uses her to quench his voracious and deviant sexual whims. Little does she know that this will become her new reality for the next six years.

Michelle can also pinpoint the moment she reconstituted the splintered pieces of her life: She’s in cap and gown, receiving her PhD in psychology—and the university’s award for best dissertation.

The distance between these two points is the improbable journey from torture, loss, and mental illness to healing, recovery, and triumph that is Michelle’s powerful memoir, Scared Selfless.

Michelle suffered from post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and made multiple suicide attempts. She also developed multiple personalities. There was “Chelsey,” the rebellious teenager; “Viscous,” a tween with homicidal rage; and “Sarah,” a sweet little girl who brought her teddy bear on a first date.

In this harrowing tale, Michelle, who was inspired to help others heal by becoming a psychotherapist, sheds light on the all-too-real threat of child sexual abuse, its subsequent psychological effects, and the best methods for victims to overcome their ordeals and, ultimately, thrive. Scared Selfless is both an examination of the extraordinary feats of the mind that are possible in the face of horrific trauma as well as Michelle’s courageous testament to their power.

Reviews

  • Best book ever... truly

    5
    By Serrina1216
    I read this book for a Child Psychology course at my school. I loved it, and this book is now one of my favorites. I felt all the emotion that Michelle expressed, and almost wanted to cry multiple times. This is the story of a true warrior.
  • Scared selfless

    5
    By chancedoggie
    Great book of hope for people with past trauma. A good looking in to MPD I hope you have a blessed life
  • Couldn't put it down

    5
    By No Saturday
    I first read about this story in People magazine with a photo of a pretty little girl taken right before she lost her innocence and immediately bought the book. This is an intense, heart breaking and heartwarming biography exposing the shocking reality of a world no one wants to admit exists. Captivatingly written and enlightening, this book should be read by everyone. We all need to be less judgmental of other's behaviors, we never know how big their iceberg really is beneath the surface Thank you for writing this And thank you for that short tease in the magazine.
  • Scared Selfless

    5
    By Tntsparks12
    I so enjoyed reading about Dr. Michelle Stevens and her harrowing childhood experiences. It is beyond me how people can stoop to such evilness and unimaginable treatment of innocent young children and victims. I have always had a soft spot for the voiceless and the damaged children, teens or women who deal with this abuse on a daily basis. This is a must read for all those recovering or trying to help others escape the tortures of sick and demented abusers.
  • SIMPLY AND PURELY AMAZING

    5
    By mmosallaei
    I could not put this book down. I kept reading and reading until my eyes would force shut and I'd fall asleep. The author of this book made her entire life story flow like a graceful river. Poor thing went through so much trauma but proves that everything does happen for a reason. Beautiful soul and one of the best novels I've read in my entire life!
  • Not what I thought.

    3
    By Paigeowen555
    Her story is incredible, and I enjoyed the book. But I wish it was more about her childhood during the trauma, and not so much of the aftermath. It felt more like I was reading a research paper about Multiple personality disorder, and statistics of sexual trauma..rather than getting to know about her childhood like I thought it was going to be. I expected something more like the book "a child called it". Still a touching memoir though.
  • Scared Selfless

    5
    By Reb627
    A harrowing story that provides rare insight to the deplorable underworld that is child sexual abuse. Even more, it's a painfully raw and honest account by the author who shows the immeasurable benefits of appropriate trauma-informed therapy. This woman's resiliency and ability to fight demons that were angrily trying to consume her is nothing short of hero status to me. After suffering unthinkable abuse for her entire childhood at the hands of her step"father" and atrocious neglect by her mother, this woman has persevered to become a Phd holding psychologist and founder of a non-profit organization helping people, like her, to overcome their past. I read this 400+ page story in less than 24 hours.

Comments