Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: One Man's Recovery

By Randy Starr

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967479401
• ISBN13: 9780967479408
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Recovery Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 50.0" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

From self help to peer help

For decades, mental health professionals have recognized the important role of self help in the field of alcoholism. The Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book" has been for years a source of inspiration, hope , and support for millions of alcoholics. In the field of psychiatry, a few books have been written to help patients themselves gain understanding, and assume a sense of control over their illness. Dr. Low 's book on "Mental Health Through Will Training" is,although not as well known as the "Blue Book" has served similar function for thousands who suffered from symptoms of major mental illness. This "consumer - oriented movement" was desperately in need of a similar work in the field of forensic psychiatry. That is until Randy Starr comes up with his book on his experience with the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI).Matricide that was caused of mental illness led Randy to years of inpatient court-ordered psychiatric treatment. Randy shares with us a picture of the inner working of a person in treatment. Such a first-hand account should be read and studied by every professional in forensic psychiatry. Needless to say, that such a reading should be very helpful for all NGRI patients, and their families.

Not guilty by reason of insanity: One man's account

Professionals spend too much of their time in the proverbial ivory tower and don't even know it. In fact, there seems to be an inverse rule at play. The more time in the ivory tower the less in touch we become with the subject of our study. Mr. Starr shakes us, and wakes us up from our slumber, and helps us to refocus our attention on what's really important, namely, the inner workings of an individual's mind. Mr. Starr is honest and not afraid to share his thougths with his readers- even though these same readers are oftentimes taken aback with his disclosures. But, afterall, how else can we really know "what lerks in the minds of men and women" unless they have the courage to tell us - based on their sense that we will both listen and respond, not judgementally, but with compassion and knowledge of the human condition? Mr. Starr has given us one more important opportunity to understand what it's like to play with a deck without all the cards.

Valuable contribution to the literature in forensic psych

This book is a fascinating tour of Mr. Starr's journey from the grip of mental illness, through recovery, and on to a productive member of society. This is a story of how the forensic mental health system is suppost to work. A copy of his book should be included in every forensic patient's admission packet, and be required reading for anyone interested in forensic psychiatry. Mr. Starr's writing style is fast-paced, witty and insightful. It is a very useful opportunity to see our profession from the consumer's point of view.

A Mental Health Professional's Review

First person accounts of mental illness make for valuable reading for professionals. Not only do they ive us insight into the nature of the illness but also a perspective from the client's side of the therapuetic process. This book joins several other valuable first person accounts. Like many other books of this kind there is yet another lesson to be learned. That is one of the struggle to achieve recovery from the illness and the collateral effects on it's victms's lives. In this case, Mr Starr has nicely accomplished all three elements. Written in a easy to read style that blends well written prose with a touch of street language this book traces one man's life from a childhood of drug abuse and violence, to mental illness and utlitimately to the killing of his mother. it also follows his recovery out from the illness, his rehabilitation and his education as he becomes a substance abuse counselor and ultimately a staff development trainer in a psychiatric hospital. This book is a fast read, with short, easily handled chapters that can be enjoyed over lunch hours and other odd moments of the day. A powerful lesson for those working in the field, this book is good introduction to the author's life, which I am told, he has related at forensic conferences and other training venues. Here is a man once termed as hopeless and who would never get out the hospital/jail environment, who has not risen above all that but whose story stands as a testiment that good psychiatric care can be effective. This book is also a good supplement to those trying to understand and teach their patients about the concept of recovery and self help. Mr. Starr's realization taht he had choices to make mark the turning point in his treatment. This is a valuable lesson to patients, who we all too often lure into dependency by the programs we provide for them that take away the will and need for them to strive to support themselves. I would recommend it, not only for the material herein but also the low cost of owning it. Well worth the $15.00 (more or less) total cost for this type of training.