The Power of Prayer and Paracetamol
One Girl’s Story of Finding Hope in a Broken System
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From the outside, it looked like I had a great childhood. I had friends, a loving family and a connection with the church—little to worry about from an outsider’s perspective. That was, however, the appearance of my growing up, and far from its reality. The dolls and bears were more than toys. They were an escape. They were trustworthy. They were safe. From a young age, I had terrible nightmares and intrusive thoughts. The fear I felt when conscious was only multiplied when my head hit the pillow. However, dreams weren’t only a night-time occurrence for me. I was constantly at war with my own imagination. My memories and fears became intertwined. My nightmares became my reality. My daydreams and nightmares would be hijacked by threatening figures looking to harm me (I would later learn that this is called Disassociation). They would enter my subconscious and change my room from a sanctuary to a place of total helplessness. I was terrified of being in the dark for fear that I was going to be attacked from the shadows. I would compulsively check every cupboard and drawer in my room for hidden threats. No matter what I did, I never felt safe. At a young age, I couldn’t put a name to all the things I would experience at night. Was I broken or was I just evil? Evil. Was that who I was to grow up to be? >>> There is hope.
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About the Book
One in four people will experience mental health difficulties a year, one in five has suicidal thoughts, and one in six children are sexually abused. In The Power of Prayer and Paracetamol, author Evelyn Hope narrates her story to help others feel less alone and to realise their godly worth. She seeks to alleviate the pain and sorrow that arises from different life experiences. Hope communicates there is light among the darkness. This memoir follows Hope through a challenging childhood, difficult relationships, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, complex post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood sexual abuse, general eating difficulties, and Anorexia Nervosa. Hope shares how identity in Christ helped set her free, allowing her to not only survive but to live life with hope and true joy. The Power of Prayer and Paracetamol not only tells Hope’s personal story, but also offers resources and a reading list to provide additional support. It encourages those struggling with mental health issues to reach out and ask for help, emphasising that all are important and loved.
About the Author
Evelyn Hope experienced a range of mental health issues as a child and an adult—from a suicide attempt at ten, to extreme OCD, anxiety, PTSD, other metal health difficulties, and severe Anorexia Nervosa which peaked at age twenty-three. She has grown in faith, truly finding God for herself at university and has experienced his healing power first-hand, through grace and medical input.