Reviews (4)

The Family Inside: Five Stars
If I were to recommend only one book on mending Dissociative Identity Disorder, this would be it. Wonderfully, thoughtfully written and helpful to therapists, individuals who experience dissociative identity, supportive others who want to understand. A full treasure chest of healing techniques. Approaches mending from a developmental and inner family systems perspective (Virginia Satir). The authors share illustrative examples of healing and integration throughout the therapeutic work from both professional and client perspectives. Absolutely stellar: this book deserves the highest rating. Concurrently, there are many books on dissociative identity that really don't convey the complexity of either dissociation or of the therapeutic mending process. This one does. There are also some books on dissociative identity that tend to sensationalize the issue or focus on detailed or graphic descriptions of horrific abuse that may or may not be applicable to all cases of DID, perhaps giving readers a less whole and layered understanding than this book can, and in this sense evading one critical core issue of Dissociative Identity: severe developmental damage in the stages of child development. This book does not underestimate the consequences of severe emotional trauma and neglect in the development of Dissociative Identity Disorder. While sexual, emotional, physical, and ritualized trauma are covered in the book, the focus is on the way trauma is processed by the developing child, and on the ways to mend those developmental fissures. Trauma forever changes a child at the moments that it is experienced, and the changes in personality structure and developmental ability that result ripple through deep waters for years afterward. This book is a gem.

a must read
As a professional treating an MPD for the first time I equipped myself with just about every book available on this topic.This book by far has been the most informative, interesting and valuable of all the material I have read. Not only did it give me insight in to the structure of the "multiple" mind but has deepened my understanding of the effects of trauma on victims in general.The narrative is presented from the perspective of the clinicians and includes theory and practical applications and from the perspective of the patient which gives the reader an inside view of the experience of a "multiple".The material is extremely well written, well organized and structured in a way that it can easily be used as a referrence for specific issues and concerns that come up during treatment (must first be read from cover to cover).I do not ordinarily read professional texts as I do novels which I cannot put down.In the case of "The Family Inside", I toted it around and read it with great interest whenever I had a free moment.A must read for anyone with an interest in this subject.

This book is wonderful.
This is the only book I've read that talks about how a multiple's system may be structured.Now I understand why my insiders rarely come out, and when they do, mostly at night.The book also discusses and recommendsco-therapy -- therapy with two therapists, which I've found therapistsreluctant to do, even though I've suggested it.MPD is so bewildering.Ifeel for the first time, after reading this book, that I finally know whereto place myself and my system in the galaxy, and what my work needs to be. It makes me feel connected, just a tiny bit, to the human race, which I'vebeen outside of my whole life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1950-    2. General    3. Kessler, Judy,    4. Mental Health    5. Multiple personality    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Schizophrenia    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - Marriage & Family    12. Treatment    13. Kessler, Judy    14. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    15. Psychotherapy    16. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (4)

Read Also His Other Books
Dr. Hoffer is a brilliant and extensively published author in both journals and books. His writing is very clear and he doesn't hide complexities. This book is no exception. My only complaint is that his writing does not divide topics very well for easy digestion. His mind is full of facts, and he types what he thinks.
Clinically Proven Treatment: Hoffer is Right
The United States Patent Office delayed issuing a patent on the Wright brothers' airplane for five years because it broke accepted scientific principles. This is actually true. And so is this: Vitamin B-3, niacin, is scientifically proven to be effective against psychosis, and yet the medical profession has delayed endorsing it.Not for five years, but for fifty.
Vitamins Don't Cure Schizophrenia - Disproven Book
If vitamins cured schizophrenia do you honestly think that we'd have 50 million people suffering from this horrible disease in the world today??If something is too good to be true - it probably is - and this is true for this theory too.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Health/Fitness    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - General    5. Schizophrenia    6. Psychiatry    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Pathological Psychology    8. Self-General   

Reviews (1)

Good Initial Book for Parents Blindsided by Symptoms or a Diagnosis
This book is actually quite good for any family initially blind-sided with a Schizophrenia diagnosis for a teen, OR, for parents suspecting that their teen MAY have Schizophrenia.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychiatry    2. Child mental health    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Life Stages - Adolescence    6. Parenting - General    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Schizophrenia    9. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    10. Schizophrenia    11. Schizophrenia in adolescence    12. Schizophrenia in children    13. Adolescent children    14. Coping with illness    15. Medicine | Psychiatry & Psychology    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology   

Reviews (1)

temenos
The actual author of this text is John Weir Perry.John Beebe wrote the introduction.Anyway, this book is an excellent expose on the language of the psyche and how it produces symbolic images that are part of the healing process.Symbolic and abstract forms do not relate well to concrete thinkers, but the psyche keeps producing these images anyway.For those who who can and prefer to work with the symbolic life, there might be more here in this book than someone else's madness.This book is a good illustration of the symbolic healing process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jungian Psychology    2. Movements - Psychoanalysis    3. Psychoanalysis    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - General    6. Schizophrenia    7. Schizophrenic Psychology    8. Self    9. Signs and symbols    10. Psychiatry   

Subjects:  1. Borderline personality disorde    2. Congresses    3. Mental Disorders    4. Mental Illness    5. Psychology    6. Reference    7. Rorschach Test    8. Schizophrenia, Latent    9. Schizotypal personality disord    10. Psychiatry    11. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

Excellent book that provided much comfort
As a young woman with a mother who has paranoid schizophrenia, this book was invaluable to me.My mom was missing for 12 years, and I received this as a gift not long after finding her (about a year and a half ago).It was personally very comforting for me to read this wonderful book, and I would recommend it to anyone. Ms. Holley's close bond with her mom reminded me of the bond I had/have with mine, and the inherently conflicted feelings that result from that bond.

A Must Read
My Mother's Keeper is an excellent autobiography/biography in one of a mother and daughter and their separate and entwined lives.I am a mental health RN and have been studying about schizophrenia.This book has helped me see in places I have never been able to see into before.I now have a broader perspective of schizophrenia and how families must feel also.Ms. Holley's writing is easy to read and follow.So much so, that it is very hard to put the book down.This is definitely a must read for anyone who wants to find out more about schizophrenia.

Moving telling of a difficult story
This was an exceptionally well written memoir, one that must have been very difficult to write. Ms. Elgin moves gracefully along the line between her mother's story and her own, and (it appears) honestly grapples with theups and downs of both.Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Family relationships    6. General    7. Interpersonal Relations    8. Mental Illness    9. Schizophrenia    10. Schizophrenics    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. United States    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Case studies    3. Movements - Psychoanalysis    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapist and patient    6. Psychotherapists    7. Schizophrenia    8. United States    9. Searles, Harold F   

Reviews (2)

A landmark study of personality
The premise of Rokeach's study (bringing people together who share the same delusion) has broad implications: in a culture with so many shared ideas and values, what sets us apart as individuals? In this 1960s experiment, of course, these three patients have been diagnosed with a proven pathology. In society at large most of us seek out friends and associates with whom we share a great deal; yet our sense of personality is still a matter of individual choices. At end, this was the same discovery Rokeach made with his three Christs; when confronted with the truth, these three men made personal choices allowing for the existence of the others -- a society of Christs. I first read this in the early 1970s as part of an anthropology course, and although I am not a health care professional I found it a fascinating study, one that carries the reader with an almost novel-like flow. For those who read it with care, it will provoke a lot of questions about what makes us who we are, both as individuals and as members of society.A fictional parallel to many of the ideas in this book, though by no means exact, can be found in Nigel Dennis's 1955 novel "Cards of Identity."

3 asylum inmates each claiming to be Christ forced to meet
When one hears the demented rantings of a fellow a ha'penny short of ashilling in the subway / tube claiming to be Christ / Napoleon / JimmyCarter, one sometimes wonders what would happen if the chap was forced toconfront some of the other lunatics in the world also claiming the sameidentity. This is a narrative version of a psychological case study thatdid just that. Result are interesting,but won't be too surprising topessimists or cynics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attitude (Psychology)    2. Attitude change    3. Belief and doubt    4. Hallucinations and illusions    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychology    7. Schizophrenia    8. Social Psychology    9. Psychiatry    10. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (2)

Very informative, but might be a hard read for some.
Wordy and at times dificult to read, yet it had a very large amount of information for what seemed like such a small book. The author presents several different theories for each subject he discusses, instead of presenting one as the gospel truth, which I liked a lot. While you probably won't find this a fun or easy read, it's really detailed and informative for anyone who wants to know more about Schizophrenia.

Up-to-date and comprehensive
As a leading researcher in neuropsychological aspect of schizophrenia, Prof. Green has published many enlightening papers on American Journal of Psychiatry and Schizophrenia Bulletin. In this book, the editor tried to incorporate current concepts into a causal model that covering deeper psychopathological processes and more plenty explanation of outcome variances. The editor offered us comprehensive reviews on the details of neuropsychological paradigm and gave us some inspiration of further researches. This work is not only excellent in its comprehensiveness but also compendia in text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Schizophrenia    2. Schizophrenic Psychology    3. Neuropsychology    4. Psychopathology - General    5. Clinical psychology    6. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    7. Mental Illness    8. Behavior    9. Psychology    10. Cognition Disorders   

Subjects:  1. Ego    2. Ego (Psychology)    3. Mental Illness    4. Neuroses    5. Psychoanalysis    6. Psychology    7. Schizophrenia    8. States of consciousness   

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness    2. Physician-Patient Relations    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - General    5. Psychopathology - Schizophrenia    6. Psychotherapist and patient    7. Psychotherapy    8. Schizophrenia    9. therapy    10. Psychiatry   

Reviews (10)

An important representation of a particular subgroup
Edgar's book is written in small digestible chunks although this is more a book of essays than a flowing narrative.His essays, from a social philosophical stance are interesting, often punctuated with a wry if not cynical wit and his intelligence is clearly quite piercing.I most certainly agree with his comparison of people on the spectrum to cats and, myself, write of 'cat people' in our majority 'dog-person' world and its 'dog-person' social structures.
Quest For Treasure - A Real Find!
This is one of the best autobiographies in re the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum I have ever read.Schneider, who is plainly a gifted man shatters the myth that people with autism are unable to think abstractly.A scholar in the humanities and in his own condition, Schneider draws upon a myriad of resources to support his findings.His background in mathematics and extensive knowledge and research of matters scientific is on a scholarly plane.
Linda Newland/parent and spouse of a ASPIE
I am a mother of a 15 year old ASPIE married to a AS spouse.This is probably one of the 'best" books I have read coming from a parent and a adult married to a AS spouse. Read more

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Patients    3. General    4. Handicapped    5. Handicapped    6. Mental Illness    7. Patients    8. Biography/Autibiography    9. Autistic children    10. Memoirs    11. Schizophrenia    12. Diagnosis   

Reviews (1)

a must read in the field of modern analysis
this classic work is a must read for those interested in modern psychoanalysis.an unbelieveably thought provoking work. provides a clear discussion of modern analytic techniques, when to use them, and why theywork.this book provides page after page of indispensable wisdom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental Health    2. Mental Illness    3. Personality Disorders    4. Personality disorders in child    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - General    7. Psychotherapy    8. Schizophrenia    9. Schizophrenia in children    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Features

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Reviews (1)

living outside mental illness
Excellent book for anyone who is interested in researching psychiatric rehabilitation ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental Health    2. Mental Illness    3. Phenomenology    4. Psychology    5. Qualitative research    6. Schizophrenia    7. Clinical psychology    8. Philosophy / Phenomenology   

Editorial Review

When he was 10 years old, the author watched as his brother Michael losthis mind. High on LSD and screaming uncontrollably because God was torturinghim, the 14-year-old smashed everything in his bedroom, his feet red with bloodfrom broken glass. Michael collected snakes and let them slither around hisnaked body; he beat Greg nearly senseless, then smashed his own forehead into asharp branch in repentance; he stayed up all night, watching Christiantelevision or "puzzling over his strange and cruel distance from God." Theirparents, preoccupied by the ceaseless work that had taken them from a dirt-poorVirginia town to an affluent suburb that they really couldn't afford, thoughtdrugs the problem and throwing Michael out the answer. Not until 1977, when hewas 21, did they learn that he was an acute paranoid schizophrenic, so severelymentally ill that he probably would never be healed, although medication mightcontrol his behavior. Michael became increasingly dangerous, but could not beinstitutionalized against his will; when he set their house on fire in 1993, thefather's reaction was relief: "This was the best thing that could havehappened.... He'll be put away." He was, and, Bottoms acknowledges, "We've allfound a peace without Michael that we're not willing to give up." There's nofalse sentiment in this unflinching memoir of a family that's alienated, insteadof united, by tragedy: "We all hid from each other," Bottoms writes withcharacteristic candor. "We shared a space, a roof, nothing else." There is,however, tremendous sorrow for a blighted life and the havoc that it wrought.Bottoms's finely crafted prose offers no consolation or easy answers--simplyemotional precision and the satisfaction of hard truth. Read more

Reviews (34)

very well written
My wife got this book for school and I happened to pick it up and read it before she did. While the story itself is rather depressing the insight given by Greg's story is enlighting. We have so far to go yet in truely helping people with mental and emotional needs, yet we continue to throw drugs at people and hope they will just go away. Awesome book!

Honest Truth
This book is amazingly written. Reading it is a rollercoaster ride and some parts are just plain crazy. I think this writer has a true understanding of pain. I've read other painful books like Requiem for a Dream, Naked Lunch, and I just read this book called His Shining Light. This book is evenly written. If you need some perspective on pain in life, read this book. I hope I explained myself well enough.

A Life In Madness
Greg always wanted a normal life but with Michael as a brother who was diagnosed as a acute paranoid schizphrenia it wasnt passible.The book was by Greg Bottoms, born in Hampton Virginia in 1970.He has had essays and journals in the Beaconbest of 1999, creative Nonfiction, nerve, prism International and else where. he now lives with his wife. i liked his book very much it was wonderful but very sad.To see the things that Greg the author had to go through.Watching his brother lose his mind after taking LSD at the age of ten not realy understanding what is going on.BEing beaten by Michael becuase he wouldnt mow the lawn.Even after he moved away he was still stuck when Michael set the house on fire and tried to kill his family.It is still very sad because Michael didnt understand what was going on in his head everything was confusing and twisted to him.I would recomend this book for anyone who asked me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bottoms, Greg    6. Bottoms, Michael    7. Family Relationships    8. General    9. Mental Illness    10. Patients    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Schizophrenia    13. Schizophrenics    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness    2. Psychology    3. Psychotherapy    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Reference    6. Schizophrenia    7. Social Psychology    8. Treatment    9. methods    10. therapy    11. Psychiatry    12. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (1)

Unique and important perspective
Sometimes it takes someone outside the field to view it objectively. Gelman, a thorough and well-informed lawyer, has a perspective on psychiatric history that will take decades for psychiatry to get. Psychiatry once had a "vision" of specific antischizophrenictreatments with trivial side effects. Gelman traces the precise unravelingof that vision, and the waffling reactions of prominent leaders in thefield. Like a lawyer placing psychiatrists on trial, Gelman catches them inall their prevarications and inconsistencies, then adds thought provokingreflections of his own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antipsychotic drugs    2. Chemotherapy    3. Clinical Psychology    4. History    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychiatry - Psychopharmacology    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - General    9. Schizophrenia   

Reviews (1)

A very important book
C. G. Jung started as a psychiatrist learning from schizophrenic patients. Among the Junguian school, only John W. Perry has continued this line of Jung�s work with such depth of understanding, clinical acumen, and the ability to write beautifully. Perry�s therapy in the California Bay Area with acute episodes in young psychotic patients brought him national and international renown. The case of the young housewife diagnosed catatonic schizophrenic demonstrates the interpenetration of collective symbols and individual processes as the come to light in "breakdown" (Part One), and extends knowledge of the psyche by elucidating symbols of the Self (Part Two). This second edition includes a new preface by Dr. Perry, together with the original Foreword by C. G. Jung, scholarly apparatus, illustrations, and index. (From the back cover) 184pp.Read more

Subjects:  1. Jungian Psychology    2. Psychoanalysis    3. Psychology    4. Schizophrenia    5. Self    6. Symbolism (Psychology)   

Subjects:  1. Communication In Medicine    2. Health/Fitness    3. Language    4. Language disorders    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychology    7. Rehabilitation    8. Schizophrenia    9. Schizophrenics    10. Psychiatry    11. Psycholinguistics    12. Speech & language disorders & therapy   

Subjects:  1. Health/Fitness    2. Mental Illness    3. Neuropsychology    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Psychopathology - General    7. Rehabilitation    8. Schizophrenia    9. Schizophrenics    10. Social skills    11. Study and teaching    12. Clinical psychology    13. Psychiatry    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology    15. Social issues