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Surviving Schizophrenia: A Memoir
 
 

Surviving Schizophrenia: A Memoir [Kindle Edition]

Louise Gillett
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £7.50
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Product Description

Product Description

What you are about to read is a true story. I am an apparently normal happily married middle class mother of four, living the humdrum existence of an ordinary housewife. And I have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, something that I have always felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment about, and kept hidden for many years.

I have agonised for many years over whether to make my story public – I have written this book, re-written it, changed the names, changed them back again, written it again under a pseudonym, tried to change it into a novel... Finally, last year on a writing holiday at the wonderful Arvon Centre in Totleigh Barton, Devon, matters became clear. This is my story, and I am ready to stand by it. It is a true story and any value that it has for others lies in that fact. I have, however, changed the names of a very few people within the text to protect them from any repercussions of my tale.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 434 KB
  • Print Length: 292 pages
  • Publisher: Twynham Press; 2 edition (22 Jun 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0057P6M46
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #33,158 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly memorable journey 27 Jan 2012
By Bookie TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of the most remarkable books I've ever read. I don't make that statement lightly and I've read thousands of books! The author takes us on a journey through her life. It's a life full of disconnect. It's a story of family dysfunction. It's an ordinary life made extraordinary by fragile mental health. It's remarkable because the author manages to involve the reader in the detail of her day to day actions and plans. Much of this would normally be mundane, but the narrative is lively and concise. Louise may believe that she lacked social skills but she's sharply observational and there are many very simple, but profound throw away lines. She is a skilled and dispassionate observer.

This is a story about many lost years. It's an appalling indictment of the health care offered to an individual who clearly needed different and better treatment options. It's a tale of hope and above all, profound self belief. Whilst most of us struggle at times to motivate ourselves to do things, the mountains presented here pale by comparison.

There is no wallowing in self misery or complaint. There are good times as well as bad and overall, it's a book about triumph. I was hooked right from the first page and hope we'll see more from a writer with a genuine gift for words and storytelling.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Honesty, bravery and hope 22 Jan 2012
By Ness
Format:Kindle Edition
I was privileged to read this book and enjoyed its honesty, bravery and hope. I read this with two different hats on, the first as a mum with a daughter who has PTSD and who has recently left hospital after some very frightening psychosis and depression and secondly as a therapist working with children who have suffered trauma, abuse or chaotic parenting. When she is ready I will share the book with my daughter it's honesty will help her on the journey to understanding that mental health affects many and that a purposeful and fulfilling life can still be possible.
As a therapist, it made me think again about attachment and the concept of good enough parenting and how those formative years really can shape our lives.
I want to thank you Louise for writing this, it's helped me as I am sure it has and will continue to help others.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I whole-heartedly recommend this book ! 23 Jan 2012
By RV
Format:Kindle Edition
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about Louise Gillet's life and once I started it I found it difficult to put down. I felt priviledged to be given such an honest and frank insight into someone else's life. It is so well written that you feel you are on a close journey with Louise from the beginning of the book to the end. She struggles to make a life for herself at the the same time as battling with lack of early parental care, poor mental health treatment and being stigmatised with a label. At all odds through courage, perseverance and hope she turns her life around.
Having had a father and brother whose lives were ruined by Schizophrenia it was heartening for me to see another sufferer come out of the illness and into a life filled with hope and joy. I am now certainly routing for Loiise's future happiness and success in life - she deserves it.
I very much hope she continues writing as she is clearly gifted in this field.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Really enjoyed this honest review.
I couldn't put this down I read it in one day. It opens your eyes to others struggles.
Published 14 days ago by Mrs. Louise H. Castle
4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational
A moving and truthful account of the world of mental illness. The taboos surrounding the diagnosis of schizophrenia are scary and daunting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gillian Cameron
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Very good open and honest about experience with a serious mental illness ! And a free read that interesting , coming from working in the mental health setting i found the author... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Freeman
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written
A real talent for story telling but with a bare, pared down style that conveys the confusion the narrator must have felt through her chaotic childhood. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alexis Byter
5.0 out of 5 stars enlightening read on mental health from professional view
This was a clear and honest recount of events which led to the psychotic episodes experienced by the author leading to the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ruth
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!
This was heartbreaking but inspirational at the same time. Written from a sufferer's perspective it gave a great insight into what it is like to live with this condition. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Slow Tri Newbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and insightful
I would like to thank Louise for her honest and open account of dealing with her illness. Well written and extremely moving, I feel that her narrative gives true insight into the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Anne Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars Best read by far
A truly exceptional piece of writing. I totally enjoyed reading about the authors life. I have schizophrenia, so I could relate to what she has gone through. Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Holloway
5.0 out of 5 stars The Maze
I've often thought as many do, that developing schizophrenia is akin to finding your way out of a maze. This memoir is a clear guide for those who want to find solace. Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Holloway
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful,compelling and oddly uplifting
This is a tremendously moving, inspiring and above all gutsy piece of writing. For all the desperately distressing experiences it contains, I nonetheless found it strangely... Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Allan
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