My best friend had BPD and my husband has been hospitalized for being suicidal so I was very excited to read this book. Beautifully written and raw. Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

In The Gray Area Of Being Suicidal is a collection of essays written by Tea Jay. Tea jay deals with Mental Illness. Throughout most of her life she lived with the idea that she had ADHD, and then again bipolar disorder, when in actuality it was Border Line Personality Disorder. Just like anyone whose dealt or is dealing with a mental illness, you'll have crazy thoughts. Sometimes you'll act upon them.... Sometimes you'll get a second chance to tell your story. Tea Jay has done just that. She takes us on a journey that even you the reader can relate to. She explains it also in a way where you don't have to crack open a medical dictionary.
If you need to understand more about your mental illn.ess or have someone that you care about that is suffering with a mental illness....this book is for you

My feelings on this book are super mixed. On one hand, there were essays with which I intensely connected. I was able to relate to the author and empathize in so many ways. But on the other hand, I was turned off by the preachiness and the inconsistencies all throughout. As a fellow 20-something who struggles with chronic mental illness, I acknowledge that there’s no way I know the answers to all of this stuff, and I can’t see myself writing a book where I act like the expert of mental illness, which is how the author comes across numerous times. Additionally, I really don’t vibe with the implications that being a mother is somehow the fix to mental illness and is the reason for living.

As for the inconsistencies in the book, the author starts out by saying she was in labor for two days, but then later on, she changes it to three days. It’s a minor thing, but it should have been caught by the editing team. Also, the message of mental illness not being a choice (which I stand with 110%) gets muddied later on when the author talks about how she doesn’t let herself have a manic episode now that she has a son (I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the overall sentiment of the statement she makes.) Mental illness isn’t a choice. You can’t suddenly decide not to have a manic episode because you’re a parent; manic episodes happen, and no matter how rigidly you’re sticking to your treatment plan, you do not get the choice to opt out.

I wish the author lots of luck in her life to come. I wish her healing and joy, and I’m so happy she’s found a supportive life for herself. While I don’t love this book and have some minor issues with how certain topics are presented, I certainly hope the author has a long, healthy life ahead of her that’s full of success.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks NetGalley!

this is a real and honest look at living with mental illness; DID in particularly. It was hard to read at times due to the content, but i'm so glad i did.