In 1989, Robert B. Oxnam, the successful China scholar and president of the Asia Society, faced up to what he thought was his biggest personal challenge: alcoholism. But this dependency masked a problem far more serious: Multiple Personality Disorder. At the peak of his professional career, after having led the Asia Society for nearly a decade, Oxnam was haunted by periodic blackouts and episodic rages. After his family and friends intervened, Oxnam received help from a psychiatrist, Dr. Jeffrey Smith, and entered a rehab center. It wasn't until 1990 during a session with Dr. Smith that the first of Oxnam's eleven alternate personalities--an angry young boy named Tommy--suddenly emerged. With Dr. Smith's help, Oxnam began the exhausting and fascinating process of uncovering his many personalities and the childhood trauma that caused his condition. This is the powerful and moving story of one person's struggle with this terrifying illness. The book includes an epilogue by Dr. Smith in which he describes Robert's case, the treatment, and the nature of multiple personality disorder. Robert's courage in facing his situation and overcoming his painful past makes for a dramatic and inspiring book.
Fractured Minds introduces the reader to clinical neuropsychology through vivid case descriptions of adults who have suffered brain damage. At one level, this is a book about the courage, humor, and determination to triumph over illness and disability that many "ordinary people" demonstrate when coping with the extraordinary stress of a brain disorder. On another level, it is a well-referenced and up-to-date textbook that provides a holistic view of the practice of clinical neuropsychology. Included are reader-friendly descriptions and explanations of a wide range of neurological disorders and neuroscientific concepts. Two introductory chapters are followed by 17 chapters that each focus on a specific disorder and include research, clinical assessment, rehabilitation, and a detailed case study. Disorders range across the full spectrum from common ones such as traumatic brain injury and dementia, to rare disorders such as autotopagnosia. Each of the 16 chapters retained from the first edition has been revised to reflect current research and clinical advances. Three new chapters on multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease incorporate discussion of important current topics such as genetically-transmitted diseases, genetic counseling, gene transplantation, functional neurosurgery, and the complex ethical issues that go hand-in-hand with these new techniques. This informative and engaging book will be of interest to students of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and neurology, health professionals who work with neurological patients, neurological patients and their families, and lay readers who are simply fascinated by the mind and brain.
The funniest, most popular kid in school, Charles Aubrey Rogers suffered from depression and later addiction, then ultimately died by suicide. "Diary of a Broken Mind" focuses on the relatable story of what lead to his suicide at age twenty and answers the "why" behind his addiction and this cause of death, revealed through both a mother's story and years of Charles' published and unpublished song lyrics. The closing chapters focus on hope and healing-and how the author found her purpose and forgave herself.
Do you sometimes feel you have to check your intellect at the church door, leaving reason behind to embrace the Christian faith? Do you hunger for a “full gospel” that includes the mind as well as heart and Spirit? Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? challenges charismatic and Pentecostal believers to discover the power of a well-maintained mind—a mind on fire—to match a heart on fire and to create a life that operates within the full counsel of God . Nañez shows how human reason helps us understand and interpret God’s Word as well as defend the gospel. He shows what the Bible teaches about the mind, and explores the backgrounds of nineteenth-century and modern culture, anti-intellectualism, Pentecostal history and beliefs, and popular misconceptions about human intellect in relation to the Christian faith. Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? helps men and women practice a Christian faith that reflects the whole person and the full gospel. “Rick Nañez calls Pentecostals and charismatics to seek a balance between mind and Spirit. This book will stir you to seek all that God has for you.” —From the Foreword by Stanley M. Horton, PhD
"We have come a long way over the past few decades in our understanding of mental illness and its potential treatments. Yet, tragically, many across the country who struggle with serious mental illness are unable to find effective, quality medical treatment. As a federal commission on mental health concluded, the system of care is in shambles. But why? And how do we fix it?" "Timothy A. Kelly, former Commissioner of Virginia's Department of Mental Health, Retardation, and Substance Abuse, brings his three decades of experience as mental health commissioner, psychology professor, and clinician to bear in confronting this crisis in America's mental health care system. In clear and accessible terms, he exposes the weaknesses in the current system, examining how and why one of the world's richest and most advanced countries has allowed its most vulnerable citizens to be victimized by the very system designed to help them." --Book Jacket.
Winner of the 2016 eLit Awards: Silver in Psychology/Mental Health. Fractured Mind: The Healing of a Person with Dissociative Identity Disorder chronicles the healing process of a person suffering from DID. The disorder happened due to a long sustained period of traumatic violence during childhood. The book depicts the working of the subconscious and how it reveals itself layer upon layer from the surface of the subconscious to its depth. With hope and the support of amazing people, and at times the teaching and intervention of God, angels, and the Holy Spirit, a reformation of the psyche takes place. This book is a witness of the living Christ. The story tells of a journey of healing. Warning: this book is for adults only due to explanations of sexual and physical violence causing dissociation at an early age. Helped by intensive psychological therapy, Debra's subconscious peels away layer by layer, revealing horrific trauma caused by her parents at a very young age. Due to the trauma, Debra has been unable to overcome serious fears and beliefs about herself and her world. Her damage was so severe, the foundation of her psyche had to be remade. Because of the nature of DID having been formed during the violence, she has been "stuck in the trauma" and unable to process and change without professional help. But process she did through a great deal of emotional pain and physical discomfort. "Fractured Mind: The Healing of a Person with Dissociative Identity Disorder" also describes an unusually close relationship with God and what Debra calls the "Other Realm." The story witnesses the love and comfort of God, but it also tells of God's wisdom and justice. Debra brings her relationship with her God to life in the book and that relationship seems as real as any relationship with a loving, guiding, parent. Debra writes a narrative throughout the book, but the main writing style is an email dialogue between her, her "parts," and Bruce. Bruce's wisdom and spiritual understanding lend an amazing perspective on the struggles of healing from violence. Bruce's writing is a testimony of unconditional love, kindness, and dedication to the health of a person. He exemplifies a true friend. Dissociative Identity Disorder is not a mental illness, but a disorder. Because her mind fractured, she has been able to live in society very successfully. Many people with DID are successful professionals, and Debra is no exception. But the healing has released her of her trauma. She is no longer bound by trauma. This printed edition is a shorter version than the ebook.
Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life—which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job—Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy. At his new school, Craig realizes that he isn't brilliant compared to the other kids; he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away.
Mental illness is often much more subtle than we imagine . . . and much more prevalent. This book is a deeply personal, yet practical, book for Christians who are clinically depressed or have been diagnosed with a mental illness.
The Australian Defence Force prides itself on a longstanding tradition of Mateship, Courage, and Noble Sacrifice. The unfortunate truth is that when the war fighting stops it's not the enemy that you have to worry about - it's your own people.
I'm not crazy.I'm the product of a schizophrenic mother who seemed more evil than human, and a bipolar father who didn't love me enough to stay. But I'm not crazy. Now I'm struggling with life and question myself and my decisions every single day. Are these signs? Red flags? I won't let myself look too close. I refuse to be crazy. Then four men swoop in just when I need them. They're protective, supportive, and everything I never had even though we're unconventional. I want to be the person they need me to be. I need it. But I'm afraid...that I'm crazy.
