Others Magazine

Journalist Emma A. Jane expertly unpacks her life in Diagnosis Normal, exploring how surviving sexual abuse, experiencing mental illness and living with neurodivergency has shaped her. 

Reviewed by Katie Ryan

In Diagnosis Normal: Living with abuse, undiagnosed Autism and Covid-grade Crazy, Emma A. Jane, a high school dropout turned successful journalist and now an Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney, creatively unpacks her life story through the lens of abuse, mental health and neurodiversity. 

My immediate response when reading this memoir was ‘wow!’. I could not put this book down as I read with horror, disbelief, pride and hope as Emma unpacked her life with all its complexities and challenges.

This does come with a warning: Emma is beautifully raw, real and unapologetic with her story. This may cause people to feel uncomfortable and want to turn away. But, as Emma so desperately states in her opening chapter, “please stay”.

So, friend, I encourage you to read this book and stay with her as she brings to light important topics that would prefer to remain in the dark such as child abuse, suicide, depression and social norms that cause neurodivergent confusion and rejection. For Salvationists, this book is a great reminder of the dark places we have been called to bring the light.

Diagnosis Normal is available at your local bookshop.

If you need additional support, contact:
Lifeline
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention phone counselling and online chat. 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue Support Service
Brief counselling, advice and referral 24/7 phone support; 3pm-12am (AEST) online chat; email response within 24 hours. 1300 22 4636 beyondblue.org.au/getsupport

Headspace
Online chat, email and phone counselling for people aged 12-25 (9am-1am AEST)
1800 650 890 headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

Head to Health
Head to Health can help you with free and low-cost, trusted online and phone mental health resources. headtohealth.gov.au

CAPTAIN KATIE RYAN IS THE CORPS OFFICER AT PAKENHAM IN MELBOURNE