LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS: A BOOK FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
STAR RATING: 5/5
Elizabeth Kuipers & Paul Bebbington, Souvenir Press
ISBN: 028563741X, £12.99
This is an excellent book and should be read by all carers of those who suffer from a severe and enduring mental illness, writes Greta Young. It is easy to read, jargon-free and is dotted with interesting but brief case histories describing experiences most carers are familiar with.
Importantly, it recognises that some of the most difficult symptoms for relatives to accept are the "negative" ones. These are very problematic for carers; they are explained in this account, and hopefully will be more readily understood by carers. This is helpful also for the sufferer, as stress and tension within a family lacking this knowledge can provoke a relapse.
Suicide or attempts to end their lives by your relative are of course very disturbing and traumatic. This book describes ways in which this can be dealt with, but the sad truth that often the best way of getting help is calling the police.
Violence or threats are also examined and ways to defuse the situation are suggested. The guidance and advice in this book are invaluable, and I thoroughly recommend it.
Greta Young is a carer