First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery

by Craig Winston Lecroy (Editor), Jane Holschuh

In First Person Accounts of Mental Illness , case studies of individuals experiencing schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental ailments will be provided for students studying the classification and treatment of psychopathology. All of the cases are written from the perspective of the mentally ill individual, providing readers with a unique perspective of the experience of living with a mental disorder. "In their book First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery, LeCroy and Holschuh offer the student, researcher, or layperson the intimate voice of mental illness from the inside. First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery is a wonderful book, and it is an ideal, even indispensable, companion to traditional mental health texts. I am grateful that they have given the majority of this book to the voices that are too often unheard."
―John S. Brekke, PhD , Frances G. Larson Professor of Social Work Research, School of Social Work, University of Southern California; Fellow, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare "This is absolutely a must-read for anyone who has been touched by someone with a mental illness, whether it be personal or professional. It is imperative that this book be required reading in any course dealing with psychopathology and the DSM, whether it be in psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, or counseling."
―Phyllis Solomon, PhD , Professor in the School of Social Policy & Practice and Professor of Social Work in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania A unique volume of first person narratives written from the perspective of individuals with a mental illness Drawing from a broad range of sources, including narratives written expressly for this book, self-published accounts, and excerpts from previously published memoirs, this distinctive set of personal stories covers and illustrates a wide spectrum of mental disorder categories, including: Reflecting a recovery orientation and strengths-based approach, the authentic and relevant stories in First Person Accounts of Mental Illness and Recovery promote a greater appreciation for the individual's role in treatment and an expansion of hope and recovery.

Genres: Social Work, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Emaan Amir · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about first person accounts that no amount of research data can compare to.
The way the emotions are relayed, the raw exposure is something i often feel as lacking as a student of psychology.
The book covers various accounts of mental illnesses, from the patient's first realization that something is wrong to the struggle they often face in validating its existence and impact, to the inefficient ways in our society of reaching help and to finally getting the help they need, whether that be in the form of medication, therapy, or simply acceptance of their reality.
It reminds us practitioners of how unique each person is, how captivating it is to understand how they've developed their perspectives and habits from the journey they've gone through.

In many of the accounts, I'm reminded of one of the simple yet crucial aspect of therapy: validating the person's struggle and reality. As a society, we've made it so hard to accept mental illnesses and the pain they bring that people no longer take the symptoms seriously unless its severe, often even then they themselves or the people around them continue to deny the existence of their symptoms.

This book does however focus only on stories from the US, hence there's a lack of diversity in cultures and religions in these stories.

Great, insightful read overall.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first 100 pages and then a number of the later stories. I very much like the premise of the book. But the stories were dated (many are older than the 2011 publication date, all the way back to 1945) and the approaches were all over the place. I read all the schizophrenia stories, and the writers seemed like good people, but I didn't get any idea how they got to the much-improved states they reached. I'm unsure about whether autism spectrum (the Asperger's name was still in use) belongs in this book, but those stories were pretty good (except the disturbing and unedited one by a minimally literate young man who could have also been a sociopath). While the stories by transgender people were good, and "gender dysphoria" ("gender identity disorder" when the book was published) is apparently still in the DSM today, I don't think they belong here. A couple of older stories by public figures used flowery language that I didn't enjoy reading and showed quite a sense of, hmm, rich white male privilege? And the story of a guy who became a bank robber because he liked BDSM was just weird.

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great companion to the DSM! However, I felt some of the sections were weaker, particularly the personality disorder section. I found this to be disappointing as I've read other first person accounts from individuals diagnosed with personality disorders that were much more compelling so they are out there! If healthcare providers in training could benefit from any first person accounts I would say it is in personality disorders as they are so often stigmatized, even by therapists, and too often misunderstood and mistreated.

[Tess Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for my psychopathology course in counseling school. Also need to add this to my shelf for when I am a big girl therapist. The accounts changed the way that I think about and understand many mental disorders. I think this could be helpful for clients to read, especially because many accounts have proven recovery is possible even from the most dire situations.

[Aaronmac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for case study practice for students in doing diagnostic work and treatment considerations in a way that also helps them to step into the shoes of their potential clients and develop a sort of empathy and awareness of some cultural or social factors that might affect conceptualization and treatment planning.

[Amyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

All mental health professionals should be required to read this. A rare personal perspective from severe mental illnesses and recovery. Enjoyable, enlightening and worthwhile.