An Apparently Normal Person

Of the many published personal works on dissociative disorders, there’s not a better, more insightful account than this one. Engaging, sincere and sometimes shocking, I was hooked from the start and wanted every detail. The author shares her extraordinary and complex life with clarity, sincerity, dignity and love.

—Dr. Chris Downs, psychologist and author

In "An Apparently Normal Person," Bonnie Armstrong lives a full life, devoted to a career in child advocacy. But when she’s plagued by a series of physical ailments unresponsive to treatment, she begins a journey of uncovering and unraveling unspeakable childhood trauma.

Armstrong provides readers with an in-depth look at a world unknown to most. Through the sharing of her story, Bonnie leaves us with an important legacy of breaking down the stigma of a mental health diagnosis. While it’s difficult to read some of the painful details, Bonnie Armstrong’s vulnerable and honest writing makes it an easy read. This fascinating, enlightening and profound memoir has moved me to my core. Above all, she has shown me the resilience and power of the human spirit.

—Merle R. Saferstein, author of "Living and Leaving My Legacy," Vols. l and ll

"An Apparently Normal Person" is a searching memoir of medical mystery, self-discovery, and harrowing honesty as Bonnie Armstrong works to uncover the source of her physical and mental afflictions. As her life is upended, it becomes clear that overwhelming trauma has reshaped both her body and her brain.

The author’s searing story invites the reader into a struggle to learn the terrain of complex trauma and recovery. We share her disbelief and her determination as her story unfolds in a page-turning series of advances and setbacks.

Armstrong’s writing is personal and steeped in deep feelings as she comes to understand her dissociative disorder has saved her life. The stigma of speaking out about one’s lived experience with a mental health diagnosis is transformed into her superpower in her triumphant memoir, "An Apparently Normal Person."

—Catherine Klatzker, RN, author of "You Will Never Be Normal"

Bonnie Armstrong’s book, "An Apparently Normal Person," is a tour de force of courageous storytelling and information, a memoir that offers a path to hope and healing for those who suffer from buried traumatic experiences. Bonnie reveals her personal story, her quest for healing, and the spiritual and scientific ways that mind, body and soul can be reconnected.

—Linda Joy Myers, founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers and author of "Don’t Call Me Mother" and "Song of the Plains"

I couldn’t put this book down! With each page of "An Apparently Normal Person," Bonnie’s unique story unfolds into a journey of self-discovery that anyone can relate to. Through accounts of trauma and adventure, she balances educating the reader with keeping them inspired and hopeful. I learned so much and would highly recommend Bonnie’s story to therapists and anyone who is in therapy as a resource for understanding the role of dissociation as an adaptive response to trauma.

—Andi Fetzner, PsyD, partner in Origins Training and Consulting

"An Apparently Normal Person" is an incredibly powerful book for the field of psychology and all human services fields that serve clients. It not only carefully lays out the less understood symptoms of severe trauma that every professional needs to be able to recognize, it demonstrates the incredible resilience that people can experience, especially when given the appropriate tools to do so. I hope it also serves as a reminder to everyone that we have no idea what others are dealing with and why leading with compassion is so important.

—Carrie D. Miller, PhD, Clinical Psychology

Bonnie Armstrong is a well-respected educator and advocate for those living with childhood trauma, dissociation and dissociative identity disorder. She continues her advocacy work with her memoir, "An Apparently Normal Person." Bonnie takes us on a raw and real journey from the unknown physical manifestations, to the eventual diagnosis, and through her incredible healing journey.

—Jaime Pollack, founder and director of An Infinite Mind

"An Apparently Normal Person" is a courageous and empowering book that takes the reader on a harrowing journey. Bonnie shares her truth and illustrates along the way just how the dissociative mind is not only creative but a powerful tool for trauma survival. A must-read for anyone in need of validation, deeper knowledge, or encouragement to stay the course.

—Larry Ruhl, artist and author of "Breaking the Ruhls"

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