Almost Normal

Ann Kolsrud began her life in an insidious darkness under the roof of absent, neglectful parents, and struggles with her own inadequacies to make friends and be a part of society. After having to drop out of both high school and college due to mental illness, she stops moving forward until she begins a sexual relationship with her psychiatrist. Suddenly, she is living a life of riches as well as lies. Disgusted by the perversions she is forced (and paid) to endure, Ann seeks an escape...
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Ann Kolsrud began her life in an insidious darkness under the roof of absent, neglectful parents, and struggles with her own inadequacies to make friends and be a part of society. After having to drop out of both high school and college due to mental illness, she stops moving forward until she begins a sexual relationship with her psychiatrist. Suddenly, she is living a life of riches as well as lies. Disgusted by the perversions she is forced (and paid) to endure, Ann seeks an escape and finds herself in a relationship with a woman whom she loves, though she is still dependent financially and emotionally upon the psychiatrist-lover, a relationship that drives her back to a world of insanity. Eventually, she leaves the psychiatrist and is helped by a new miracle drug, but after a small amount of success, the drug began to cause crippling arthritis and seizures. During this time she is told that her physical problems are all in her head. Taking it upon herself to make a change in medications, Ann slowly begins to die, not only from the physical but mental illnesses which continue to consume her. After reaching her lowest point -- which include debilitating medications and electric convulsive therapy, Ann is put onto new medication which finally allows her to surface from years of physical and mental suffering. She now is very much alive, working, cultivating friendships, and going back to college. She loves life and is full of energy and self-motivation. The downside to this new miracle drug, however, is that it has a side effect of causing heart problems that could potentially kill her at any moment. But Ann decides to live her life to the fullest, making her life rich by helping others with their lives. The hopeful lessons learned from her long struggle -- including the need to persevere in finding the right professional help and correct medications -- are instructive to anyone who suffers from mental illness.