Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey (Reflections of America)
Author
Susan Frances Dunham
Publisher
Modern History Press
4 Review Copies Left
What would you do if your child suffered with something so severe it affected every aspect of his life?
Susie Dunham, Midwestern mom and former nurse, never suspected her son Michael was anything but a typical college student with big dreams until he developed schizophrenia shortly after his 21st birthday. The Dunham family quickly becomes immersed in the nightmare world of mental illness in America: psychiatric wards, a seemingly indifferent nursing staff, and the trial-and-error world of psychotropic meds. Michael's ultimate recovery and remission comes with plenty of traumatic incidents involving both ignorance and stigma, but his courage and quest for dignity will inspire all readers.
"Susie Dunham's heroic, heart-rending story is a beacon of light in the darkness of insanity. It shows that recovery is hard-won but possible for people who develop schizophrenia, despite a media that sensationalizes them, a society that shuns them, and a dysfunctional mental healthcare system that fails them miserably."
--Patrick Tracey, author of Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family's Schizophrenia
"Every person in a leadership position needs to take the time to read this moving story of triumph over adversity."
--State Representative John Adams, Ohio House Minority Whip
"The fact that Michael bravely fought this disease, picked up the pieces and moved beyond it, should give others hope that one day schizophrenia will be seen as a treatable disease with no stigma attached."
--Sharon Goldberg, News & Reviews Editor,"NYC Voices": A Journal for Mental Health Advocacy
"Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey is a book that I couldn't put down. The story of Michael's parents Susie and Mark who support their son both in good times and bad really touched me. I really like the way the symptoms of schizophrenia are explained clearly."
--Bill MacPhee, Founder/CEO of SZ Magazine
Learn more at www.SusieDunham.org
From the Reflections of America Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
PSY022050 Psychology : Psychopathology - Schizophrenia
BIO026000 Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
MED105000 Medical / Psychiatry / General
Reviews
Susie Dunham is very brave for sharing her family's story with the world in this non-fiction book, "Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey." I found this book hard to put down once I began reading it - it was very engrossing and personal. Prior to reading this book, I did have some knowledge about Schizophrenia, which is part of the reason I chose to read the book. Reading the book did give me more information about it, but also gave me more insight into what it is lilke to have a family member who has this terrible disease.
I gave this book four stars, not five, because I felt it could have been improved by sharing more about what Michael's father was feeling and going through during the journey. I found myself wondering about him while I was reading the book, and it was distracting to me.
Over all, this was a very good book, which I read in one day. I felt bad for Michael and his family, and was hoping the best for them throughout the book, and even after I finished reading it. This book is appropriate for teenagers and adults, and would be a good read for anyone who works with or near those with mental illnesses.
Christine Fenton
Reviewed on 11/13/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Christine Fenton
