The Happy Treatment

In this dystopian, coming of age story, 16 year old Cindy Reeves lives in a world where mental illness has become a business and happiness is an advertisement. The heavily increased expenses of medications and psychiatrist appointments leave people struggling to the point of even falling in debt. The world is struggling, both financially and mentally, and Cindy, like everyone else, is desperately searching for happiness in all of the chaos.
Luckily, there's an answer: The Happy Treatment. It's only a simple procedure, and afterwards, there will be no need for expensive medication or appointments anymore. In fact, it not only cures your mental disorder such as depression, but also any negative emotions you may feel ever again. You'll never feel sad again, never feel afraid, depressed, lonely, angry. You'll feel nothing but happiness.
Cindy longs for this perfect treatment. She longs to have the emotional pain in her mind stop, but after noticing the strange events that have started happening in her life around this treatment, something starts to feel off. With her best friend, Eva Straus, Cindy is sent through a challenging journey of chaos, pain, love, and loss. Through her search for happiness, she finds herself more depressed than ever, and she can't help but wonder, is the Happy Treatment really the solution to finding happiness in this depressing, hopeless world?

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, except for the time when I lived in Siem Reap, Cambodia as a teenager for a short while, where, during my time there, I learned a lot about mental well being. As long as I remember, I've wanted to be an author and after countless failed attempts, I've finally managed to organize what's in my chaotic mind and put it all out on paper and call it The Happy Treatment. I write my books hoping to inspire readers and show them perspectives other than their own, reminding them that everyone has their own struggles, and that's okay.
Visit me on instagram: annika.galloway