Lost and Broken

My Journey Back from Chronic Pain and Crippling Anxiety

By: Congressman Adam Smith

Narrated by: Congressman Adam Smith

Chairman of the U.S. House Armed Service Committee Adam Smith’s candid memoir about his years-long struggle with anxiety, clinical depression, and chronic pain, and the winding path to find the right diagnosis and treatment.

“Early one morning in April of 2016 I woke up and seriously contemplated the possibility that I would never be able to generate the strength, focus, and courage to get out of bed. The combination of crippling anxiety, chronic pain, muscle atrophy, and the fascinating mix of pharmaceuticals coursing through my body had, I feared, finally broken me. My life terrified me. I had been fighting some combination of these battles for just over three years at this point, and I didn’t think I could do it for one more day.”

U.S. Representative Adam Smith was successful by all measures, with a long, distinguished career in Congress and a loving marriage with children. Yet seemingly out of nowhere, his body and mind broke down to the point where every day was a relentless struggle to just keep moving. It’s a struggle millions of Americans know all too well. Would he be able to meet his responsibilities as a husband and father? Could he still maintain his breakneck professional schedule and continue to do his job well? He soon realized he couldn’t will himself well—he needed help. Thus began a desperate search for the right diagnosis and treatment for his mental and physical pain that lasted over six years and involved more than a hundred different health care providers. With unflinching honesty, Smith reveals how he got to this lowest point in life, and how he slowly, painfully, and unevenly found his way back to having a calmer mind and being free of chronic pain and medication.

Smith discovered the severe limitations of our nation’s health care system, and brought him face to face with the cost of the stigma our country has against admitting to and dealing with mental health issues. He learned that life isn’t about finding that quick fix or clear-cut mental and physical program to stop worrying and struggling. It’s about learning who you are, understanding your body and mind well enough to face those struggles that we will all inevitably face, and then being able to enjoy your life even when those struggles come.

©2023 Adam Smith (P)2023 Recorded Books

A brave account of a journey to heal

For a man in such a prominent public position to candidly recount very personal physical and mental health issues, as well as to openly discuss some of the failings of the US health system, is a gift to readers. Adam Smith’s career and reputation could be in peril by his candor. I consider him very brave to reveal his illnesses, and how he struggled to cope. By writing this book he made a choice to hopefully help others, that is to serve the greater good. His story is well-told. I enjoyed listening.

FINDING TRUTH AND WELLNESS

This book is extremely well written, but could not have been easy to write. We all have our struggles whether they be physical or psychological. But to share one's struggles in such a detailed and public way takes an incredible amount of bravery and commitment. My favorite part of this book is the overarching message of persistently seeking answers and solutions to our challenges. I hope this book will inspire others to do the same.

Brave and revelatory

Appreciate an elected official opening up about his mental and physical health journey. Wish more would open up and realize that sadly we use any info to demonize our elected officials. Hope that will stop.

Story with a heart

This story was heartfelt and inspiring. As a fellow chronic pain suffer I felt his pain and was encouraged by his continued strength in adversity. I highly recommend this book.

Good Book ,

Very Honest , Open, and Pleasant. Your book has let us see you in a different form. Thank you for writing your truth!