Understanding Mental Illness 6th edition: Mental Health Awareness For Self Teaching

By Marianne Richards

BOOK CONTENT:
A comprehensive, guide to mental illness for beginners - written for new patients, carers, volunteers, paramedicsa brief history of mental illness & historic treatmentsmodels of care - social, medical, talking therapies, complementary treatmentsdescriptions of major mental illnesses with fictionalised case studiesabout stigma and social exclusionan overview of The Mental Health Act 1983, updates, why a MHA is needed organisations - World Mental Health, pharmaceutical, mental health charitiesabout stress, tips for maintaining mental healthback matter; resources, glossary, suggested reading, index.Intended Readers
Understanding Mental Illness is the 6th edition of my professionally acclaimed book (see bottom of summary), first published by Straightforward in 2000. I am a former clinician (not an academic) & wrote this for lay readers as a broad-based, jargon-free guide to mental illness and connected topics. My intended readers are newly diagnosed patients, carers, ancilliary staff & paramedics. It might suit students as an overview before they begin in-depth studies. The fictionalized case histories clarify disorders that are often difficult to understand.

WARNING: this next paragraph contains details some might find distressing. More about this book follows.
When I first wrote this book, I had been a mental health professional for over 10 years. Like many I became interested as a result of personal experience. My aunt committed suicide at an early age; mother endured depressive illness life-long. In the 1950's depression was termed, 'nerves' and treated with Valium. My own first episode was age 10, when I attempted suicide after enduring long term catatonia (misunderstood as 'laziness'). As an adult at University, I was diagnosed with autism (Asperger Syndrome) and began to turn my life around. I believe my father and brother were also autistic, the former classic (majorly non-speaking), the latter AS - wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenia. I tried to find non-scientific information without success. With a love for writing, I decided to write my own book and in 2000 found a publisher. The rest, as they say, is history.

Re 2024 Virulent Review
This person has not understood my book, which is neither a dictionary of mental health nor an academic work for advanced students. The 'superficial discussion' and 'musings' she refers to are my personal experiences of mental illness (including major breakdowns and depressive illness) and recovery; not an academic dissertation. My book is about the brain's frailty but also the amazing endurance of the mind (spirit).
I am a well qualified and experienced clinician. My harrowing experiences give me insights others may not have. I received good professional reviews since this was published in 2000 (see my Amazon author page). Every book contains errors despite proof-reading, because authors are human. I am proud of this work, now in its sixth (and probably final) edition. If you are put off by this review, consider borrowing from a library before purchasing. I know books are a major expense for those on slender budgets, having been there myself. I can assure you I do not disrespect readers in the way implied by this reviewer, who is clearly angry about something - nothing to do with me.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1517443474
• ISBN13: 9781517443474
• Release Date: September 2015
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"