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  • Scared Selfless

  • My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving
  • By: Michelle Stevens
  • Narrated by: Michelle Stevens
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)
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Scared Selfless cover art

Scared Selfless

By: Michelle Stevens
Narrated by: Michelle Stevens
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Summary

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.

©2017 Michelle Stevens (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"In Scared Selfless, Dr. Michelle Stevens takes readers on a remarkable journey. Her account of childhood trauma - told with candor and, yes, even wit - and how she found the strength and resilience to ultimately recover and triumph is an inspiration not just to other survivors, but to us all. The book is a guide for anybody seeking to overcome challenges and lead a richer and fuller life.” (Arianna Huffington)

"Scared Selfless is a compelling read about choosing your path in life and owning that decision.” (Dr. Phil)

“A beautifully written book…with honesty [and] humor.... Through grit and hard work, what begins as Grand Guignol finishes with a big Hollywood ending.” (Vanity Fair)

What listeners say about Scared Selfless

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Narcissistic author

I’ve read a lot of books about childhood trauma and how people recover however the author of this is all ‘me me me, I’m the best, I’m the most damaged, no one is good enough to treat me, I’m better than everybody else’ very narcissistic. Also contradicts herself throughout.

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A hard but necessary and compelling read

Finished in 2sittings. Life-changing, heart-breaking, but incredibly powerful and hopeful. Looking4 more written by DrStevens.

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Buy this book

As harrowing as this book is to listen to at times it is also a source of hope, healing and unfathomable courage. Everything you think you know about MPD will be replaced with real knowledge from one who knows.

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This is a superbly written book. so well narrated

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to be moved. inspired and gripped to a story. this lady is one in a million and I am so pleased I choose this . I would highly recommended this work. it is a brave and moving account of the way the human mind can cope through anything. be warned it is shocking and sometimes upsetting but well worth it . I would like to congratulate the author on her bravery and determination not to let human darkness destroy her .

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