Review of Memoir of a Mangled Mind

[Love Ukaegbu]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Memoir of a Mangled Mind" by Steven Simmons Shelton, MA, JD.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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We have, at one point in our lives, heard about Dissociative Identity Disorder [DID]. For people who know nothing about it, it is a mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states that control an individual's behavior at different times. The author of this book, Memoir of a Mangled Mind, Steven Simmons Shelton, MA, JD, shares his story of trauma, mental illness, crime, incarceration, and redemption.

The author tells the story of his three personalities, which include him, Mark, and Wayne. Although he did not always have multiple personalities, he didn't live a straightforward life. He had gone through abuse multiple times, both as a child and an adult; even while he was a teenager, he wasn't one of the favorite students, even to his peers. He was bullied as a teenager to the point where he was called "sissy Simmon" as an adolescent, and his peers alienated him. These experiences that he had created his alters, Mark and Wayne. Mark is the violent and criminal one, while Wayne is a sex-compulsive gay prostitute.

The multiple personalities he had were not something he had control over; he experienced blackouts and couldn't give an account of his time or what he was doing during those periods when his other personalities were in control. When Wayne, the gay prostitute, was in charge of his consciousness, he would always wake up to find out that he had been involved in bar hookups and unprotected sex. While one would think that it is just sex, he was infected with hepatitis B, which got him quarantined for weeks. When Wayne is not in control of his body, Mark, his other alter, is planning bank robberies or trying to get into fights.

Instead of going for a medical check to diagnose what was going on, he hid his problems, as well as his alters, out of shame and continued living his everyday life. But how normal can life be when his life is literally going down the drain, and he is going against everything he believes in? To find out what the author did and how he worked to get his life back in order, you will have to read this book.

One of the book's strong points is its details. Despite being a true story, the author does not spare details, even ugly ones, and he expresses his trauma, shame, and even regrets, which makes this book even more authentic. The second thing that makes this book stand out is how the author describes the symptoms of DID, which are often overlooked both in society and medically. I wouldn't have understood the impact of this mental health issue if the author had not been so open about his experiences. One more thing I really like is the author's journey to redemption; it made me understand that no matter how low one has fallen, there is always hope to get back on one's feet.

Although some parts of this book contain explicit details like rape and other +18 content, I did not dislike anything about this book; these details gave depth to the author's story. It would have been nice if the court scene had not contained so much legal jargon, as it could have thrown off readers who are not familiar with the legal system and vocabulary. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for its originality and details while creating awareness of dissociative identity disorder [DID]. I recommend it to lovers of memoirs and people who are interested in knowing more about mental health illnesses.

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Memoir of a Mangled Mind
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[Naseeha Naseeha]

Thank you for this thoughtful review! I’m really drawn to how the author shares his journey through trauma, mental illness, and redemption. His openness about DID and its impact is what caught my attention the most. Your review has convinced me to add this book to my reading list, and I’m excited to read it!

[Mark Lazarus]

The exploration of Dissociative Identity Disorder through a deeply personal and raw narrative sounds incredibly powerful. Stories that offer a firsthand account of living with a complex mental health condition can be both eye-opening and impactful. The honest portrayal of trauma, identity struggles, and eventual redemption makes it even more compelling. While the explicit content and legal jargon might be challenging, the opportunity to gain insight into the realities of DID and the resilience it takes to overcome such adversity is something I’d find worth exploring. I’d consider giving this one a read.