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

By Marianne Richards

As I've retired, I'm reducing the price of my books as a 'thank you' for the kind support of readers over many years with one exception - see bottom of page ]

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: thes 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 10 years. Like many, I joined the field as a result of personal experience of mental illness. My aunt committed suicide; mother endured depressive illness life-long. In the 1950's depression was termed, 'nerves' and treated with Valium. My depression began age 10, and shortly after I attempted suicide - my catatonia misunderstood as 'laziness'. As an adult at University I was diagnosed with autism (Asperger Syndrome) and this understanding helped me turn my life around. it appears my father and brother were autistic; the former classic (majorly non-speaking), the latter wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenia. I tried to find non-scientific information without success. With a love for writing I wrote the book I wanted and in 2000 found a publisher. The rest, as they say, is history. I remain proud of this book.

Re 2024 Virulent Review
I'm not sure why Ms Sutherland trashed my book, clearly without reading it. Were it as poor as she claims, it would not have been published by Straightforward transferred to my own micropublishing house years later]. My book is neither a dictionary nor an academic work. What she terms, 'superficial discussion' and 'musings' are my experiences of mental illness and recovery and not academic dissertation. My book describes the brain's frailty, yet its amazing capacity for endurance (spirit). This is for the comfort and reassurance of lay readers.
I was a well qualified & experienced clinician for decades. My harrowing experiences gave me insights other writers may not have. I received good professional reviews since this was published in 2000 (see 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 final) edition. If you are put off by Ms Sutherland's review, consider borrowing the book from a library. I know books are a major expense for slender budgets, having been there. 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"