Brain Gone Wild: A Tale of Electrodes, Schizophrenia, and John

by Polly Debutts, E. Fuller Torrey (Foreword)

Brain Gone Wild follows the story of the youthful 19 year old John struck down 30 years ago with the tragic illness schizophrenia, a scary name for a brain disease. The slow insidious arrival of the illness is described in detail until it blasts forth in unbelievable events. John's frantic efforts to understand what has gone so terribly wrong in his thinking are documented in this well-written and sometimes humorous account. The reader will be able to learn the nature and symptoms of this devastating brain illness and how the electrodes (or voices) are constantly torturing John. Will paranoia reign supreme for John's life or will his human spirit fight back? This cruel disease has no known cure. It can be contained but not cured. And, why won't John take his medicine? Anosognosia, better known as a refusal to take medicine, is the result of the very brain dysfunction that underlies the illness! So without medicine, we read of the many frightening psychotic episodes occurring in our neighborhoods with tragic regularity. "A history of mental illness" is the only explanation we are given about the person committing a violent crime. Can violence be predicted? Yes: if there is no medication, there can be violence. Other factors include a history of violence and current drug abuse. During John's second year of college he celebrates his 20th birthday in the hospital with the first diagnosis of schizophrenia. His 30th birthday is celebrated with a small remission of 4 to 5 years. His 40th birthday is celebrated in jail for trying to buy street drugs. He explains why he was buying the drugs: "For years thousands of electrodes have been put into my body which cause extreme pain and lumps as well as computer voices in my head. I needed relief." However, on John's 50th birthday there will be cause for a true celebration! Although he is still lonely and unable to work, his human spirit is fighting the electrodes, the computer voices and the paranoia and there

108 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2014

Reviews

[Hina]

My neighbor, the author, recently gave this book to me. Polly is a sweet woman who I've come to know who lives a few doors down in my apartment building, and we often chat. She gave me this book about her son so I can get an idea of the work she does. Some years ago, I had seen this son in the hallway and entering her apartment, but I had never talked to him other than maybe a passing "hello".

This book is short, yet packed with a full story. It is captivating, moreso because I'm learning more about my neighbor with every page and it is truly astounding what a strong person she has been through all this. I have not yet talked with her about the contents of the book, but this puts her in a different light, now that I have a small understanding of her struggles and her work.

But, more importantly, Polly has given some insight and humanity to this disease called schizophrenia and how it affects the mind, how the sufferer may start to show improvement, but then regress in a moment. How it is a never-ending battle for everyone involved. How there is so much heartache. Polly's hope is that this book helps other families who have a loved one suffering from schizophrenia, to show that they are not alone. I, too, hope people find this as a good resource. It makes me sad that this illness can rob a person of a fulfilling life, but maybe there is hope with more education.

[Linda]

A journey of a young man’s life with mental illness, and his mother’s loving and caring support. I could not put the book down.