I am Enough
An estimated 3.6% of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020).
My experience with sexual assault and mental illness that followed has been one in secrecy, born of fear and shame. Going undiagnosed and untreated, I suffered in silence. Maladaptive behaviors that affected my life were just part of the norm for me. Once diagnosed, I learned about treatment and therapy and methodology to regain my life.
I am walking the journey in recovery and have taken to writing to break the silence. Enough is an homage to all those suffering in silence.
"Amelia Zachry's fierce, unflinching prose captures the devastation of a life interrupted and a spirit shattered. But her journey also reminds us that healing is possible. Candid and deeply moving, Enough is an unforgettable memoir.”
— Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
“Zachry’s unflinching memoir chronicles her search for love while coping with depression. . . . A harrowing tale of coping with mental illness . . .”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The prose is sometimes lyrical, as when it describes the “melodic whoosh and hum” of Lake Superior; it also takes colloquial turns when expressing strong emotions, indulging in four-letter words. It becomes most empathetic as it counters Zachry’s earlier silence about what she survived with honesty and openness, including where it treats her rape, her bipolar disorder, her challenges as the mother of a gifted child, and her experiences of racism.
Enough is a startling memoir about surviving assault and grappling with mental illness.”
- Foreword Review
“There is little BILPOC representation when it comes to memoirs about trauma and mental illness. In Enough, Zachry takes on these hard subjects with writing that is beautiful, powerful, and compelling. You won’t soon forget this brave, important book.”
—Claudia Love Mair, author and coordinator of the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative
“In this compelling debut, Zachry provides an insider’s understanding of displacement, PTSD, and bipolar disorder while also addressing universal themes of loss, commitment, compassion, and determination. This is a book for anyone who has wondered, “Am I Enough?”
—Anastasia Zadeik, author of Blurred Fates
“This book is a must read for anyone hoping to better understand the experience of PTSD and bipolar disorder. Zachry shares a beautiful and painfully honest portrayal of her path to healing in the face of trauma. She reminds us that recovery is guided by love, hope, and the commitment to putting one foot in front of the other every day to move toward a valued life.”
—- Dr. Christal L. Badour, - Director of the Stress, Trauma, and Recovery Research Collaborative, University of Kentucky.
“Enough is the story of one woman’s journey to find her place in the world, despite a nagging sense of abandonment, racial insecurity, a history of trauma, and the unfortunate stigma associated with mental illness. It’s a tale that will deeply resonate with some readers and educate and inform others. Zachry captures it all with grace and illuminates the art of healing.”
—Rica Keenum, author of Petals of Rain and Which One of Us is Broken
“Enough is a memoir reflective of the arduous, often non-linear journey of growth through mental illness and the after-effects of trauma. Zachry’s honest, genuine, and direct descriptors of her symptoms and experiences will help countless others who are facing their own struggles navigating mental illness.”
— Dr. Kari Jones, licensed psychologist
@browngirlcrazyworld
I sat in confused stupor but with gratitude and validation that my words were indeed being received well. I pondered the fact that a form of bravado had formed and was required through my words even if it was unintentional.