Memoir And Self-Help Hybrid, Why Me? …and Other Frequently Asked Questions, Is Co-Authored By Stella V. Furlong MA And Her Sister, Dr. Monica W. Furlong MD MbChB

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Why Me? …and Other Frequently Asked Questions is a raw, inspiring memoir co-authored by Stella Furlong MA and her sister Dr. Monica Furlong MD, blending one woman’s harrowing yet triumphant journey from post-war poverty, bipolar diagnosis, and repeated sectioning under the Mental Health Act to a vibrant, educated, and joyful life in her 70s.

Why Me? …and Other Frequently Asked Questions

The book Why Me? …and Other Frequently Asked Questions is a compelling memoir and self-help hybrid co-authored by Stella V. Furlong MA and her sister, Dr. Monica W. Furlong MD MbChB. Published in June 2025 by Balboa Press UK, it draws from Stella’s lived experience with bipolar disorder, combined with Monica’s medical expertise as a retired physician.

A Personal Journey Through Mental Health Struggles

Stella Furlong, now in her mid-70s (around 76 at the time of writing), grew up in post-war rural Britain as the third of three daughters in a poor yet convent-educated family marked by class conflict and isolation. Despite the irony of a “deprived yet privileged” upbringing through education, her life took a challenging turn when she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties and sectioned under the Mental Health Act multiple times. These experiences left her repeatedly asking the poignant question: “Why me?”

The book vividly recounts her raw, harrowing path—from poverty and what she describes as “insanity” in her early years, through repeated institutionalizations, to eventual transformation. Stella pursued higher education later in life, earning a BA (Hons) Upper Second in Social Sciences from Manchester Metropolitan University, an MA in Poverty Relief from the same institution, a postgraduate diploma in Women’s Studies from the University of Kent, and additional research at York and Oxford Universities in Criminology/Deviance, along with a public speaking qualification.

Blending Memoir with Medical Insight and Practical Guidance

Co-authored with her sister Dr. Monica Furlong, a retired physician with dual nationality who practiced in the USA and maintains a home near Stella in Sandbach, Cheshire, UK, the book balances personal storytelling with evidence-based perspective. Monica provides medical backing to Stella’s narrative, offering a critique of traditional medication approaches while emphasizing a more holistic view of mental health that integrates body, mind, and spirit.

Stella’s story traces a dramatic arc: from dysfunctional childhood and severe mental health crises to becoming a highly educated, well-traveled, “cocky, funny, and happy” woman. A key “lifeline” in later life sparked her profound transformation, renewing hope and shifting her outlook on life. This shift reflects broader global changes in attitudes toward mental health, moving toward holistic care.

Practical Tools and a Message of Hope

Beyond memoir, Why Me? serves as an accessible guide for those facing mental health challenges, their families, friends, caregivers, and even professionals. It includes practical tips on:

• Diet and exercise
• Building a social life
• Education and lifelong learning
• Meditation
• Other lifestyle factors that support wellbeing

Stella openly critiques aspects of medication and historical treatment of the mentally ill, aiming to break down stigma and advocate for better approaches. Her voice speaks directly to bipolar sufferers and others with mental health issues, providing authentic encouragement, compassion, and proof that recovery and a fulfilling life are possible—even from the darkest points.

Broader Appeal and Impact

With its mix of humor, raw honesty, harrowing detail, and optimism, the book is both entertaining and informative. It has local (UK), national, and international relevance, appealing to anyone interested in mental health—whether personally affected or seeking to understand and support others. Stella hopes to influence policy, improve professional treatment, and raise public awareness.

In an era of evolving mental health conversations, Why Me? …and Other Frequently Asked Questions stands as an inspiring read that reframes old labels, offers hope, and charts a positive path forward. It’s a testament to resilience, showing that even after profound struggles, one can embrace life with positivity and humor.

Find more now:

Apple Book: https://apple.co/4aVBMl7

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3OeuArH

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4aV0CBA