First published 2017
Mental illness affects over 4 million Canadians and 57 million Americans, yet stigma and misunderstanding persist around conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, OCD, depression, PTSD, and dissociative identity disorder. Lenore Rowntree presents firsthand accounts that bypass clinical analysis to capture the raw reality of psychological breakdown. These essays explore the mental, physical, and emotional chaos that mental illness creates for patients and families alike. A mother watches her teenage son's personality splinter. A police officer battles his employer for PTSD coverage while struggling to prove his condition stems from work. Children navigate life with a manic father whose illness cycles him through medical facilities and social services. The collection balances honest portrayals of disappointment and despair with moments of courage and compassion. This revised edition offers support for those suffering from mental illness and guidance for their loved ones, while working to shift public attitudes toward greater understanding.
Genres: psychology, mental-health, social-issues, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, raw-reality
Setting: Canada, United States
Period: 21st-century
280 pages · Paperback · Touchwood Editions
Content warnings: mental-illness