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This is an exciting collection of writings by people who have experienced mental distress. It includes accounts of psychiatric treatment, psychotherapy and alternative treatments; life in mental institutions and moves into...
This is an exciting collection of writings by people who have experienced mental distress. It includes accounts of psychiatric treatment, psychotherapy and alternative treatments; life in mental institutions and moves into the community; self-help methods and work to improve mental health services. Moving, sometimes funny and often dramatic, the pieces are written by some of the key activists in the mental health survivors' movement, as well as by people best known as writers and poets and others who, for a period of time, have been caught up with mental distress and have something original to say.
Introduction PART ONE: EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND ITS CAUSES Introduction Agoraphobia: Letting Go; P. Mason Afraid to Live and Afraid to Die; R.B. A Survival Story; P. Bremner Silent Scream; M. Ross Finger Pickin' Good; L. Thorn Thro' a Glass Darkly; 'a Psychiatric Nurse' I've Lost My Innocence; Nicki The Pressure of Being a Human Chameleon; V. el Khalifa Unplanned Journey; D. Friel McGowin PART TWO: PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT Introduction Two Accounts of Mental Distress; M. O'Hagan Mania; B Howard Schizophrenia From the Inside; R. Jameson Challenging Loss of Power; P. Campbell ECT is Barbaric; L. Taylor Choosing ECT; R. Perkins The Right to be Informed; C.McIntosh Prozac Really isn't That Great; E. Wurtzel PART THREE: LIFE AS AN IN-PATIENT Introduction Thunk Among the Jolly Bunks; L. Irvine Ward; M. O'Higgins Why We Run for Cover; Anon. By Definition; W. Lindsay Therapy Room; W. Lewis Stay Calm and Charm Them; L. Hart I Wanted to Scream and Shout; J. Laing An Utter Disaster; K.H. Label Removed but Scar Remains; J. Bell PART FOUR: MOVING INTO THE COMMUNITY Introduction Jane Writing from the Pastures: Paying the Penalty, I Can Get About, There's Nothing You Can Do; Anon. Don't Go Back; W. Lindsay The Sanctuary in North London; M. Henderson A Second Chance for Life; J. Tugwell Clive Alienation; J. Meredith Nutter to Normal; J. Read A Comparative Study of Application Forms for Housing Benefit and an American Express Card; P. Good PART FIVE: THERAPY AND SELF HELP Introduction Time, Faith and Encouragement; R. Caplin Healing Through Creativity; C. Hambrook Obsessed; M. Sangster Neurotics at War; D. Wigoder One-To-One; Margery Reflections on Therapy; B. Taylor Eleventh Contributor; L. Pembroke PART SIX: WORKING FOR CHANGE Introduction What We Want From Mental Health Services; J. Read What Users Want From Mental Health Crisis Services; P. Campbell Now is Your Chance to Help Undo Some Wrongs; V. Lindow Becoming Fully Ourselves; J. Wallcraft We Can Still Find a Way to be Heard; S. King Listening in the Asylum; M. Nettle Who Do You Represent? Shaking Hands with the Devil; Beeforth Having Space to Talk and Think; T. Simpson What Has Disability got to do with Psychiatric Survivors?; P. Beresford, G. Gifford and C. Harrison.
