October 13, 2004

Curious George: Book name I have been trying to find a book I read a while back for years. It's about this woman who is schizophrenic and it's written in her point of view. She goes through the stages of the illness (from childhood) and she even becomes a doctor. I vaguely remember that her symptoms were finally lessened through the use of kindey dialysis. I also remember that one of her recurring symptoms was hallucinating about helicopters. I don't remember if it was a true story, but it was very convincing.
posted by mimsie 20 years ago
  • It's not Sybil, is it?
  • It's not "When Rabbit Howls," is it? Regardless, you can probably find the book by searching for some key words -- names, "helicopter," "dialysis," etc. -- with the Amazon keyword "search inside" function.
  • Hmm I don't think it's either of those after reading their synopses (synopsises?), but I will try that "Search inside" function, which is news to me! Thanks!!
  • Just go to Amazon.com and use the main search thingy on the left. Drop down to Books instead of All Products and type in your string of words. Typing in helicopter dialysis will give you 800+ books that include both words.
  • The book you're looking for is Welcome, Silence: My Triumph Over Schizophrenia by Carol North. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0788099272
  • Wow. That sounds like a great book. Did you enjoy it? (Another really good book about mental illness is I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, about a 16 year old girl in the 1950's who ends up in the violent ward of a mental institution. I think it's out of print though, but I got a first edition for $9 through an out of print book website.)
  • It's not "My Pet Goat" is it? Did the schizophrenic lady have a pet goat?
  • Slightly OT... if you are trying to get a young'un to understand people with mental illness without being prejudiced, or just plain mean. You can't do much better than "Welcome Home, Jellybean"(amazon link). I remember bawling when my teacher read this to us at school. Stop looking at me like that, I'm a sensitive guy.
  • It'd be nice if this thread fills up with recomendations of good books about mental illness.
  • Mimsie, a suggestion: if we fail you, you can always do the equivalent of the old "hum the tune to the clerk at a good music store" by going to a good ol' bricks and mortar bookstore or a public library. or even one of the several "Ask A Librarian" services. I once worked at a small bookstore and we got questions like this all the time and loved answering them, or at least trying!
  • Best novel about schizophrenia I've read: Martian Time-Slip, by Philip K. Dick. One of the scariest books I've ever read, and one of Dick's best.
  • A Pebble In Newcomb's Pond -- read when I was perhaps 13 or 12 -- has stayed with me many years.
  • For bipolar illness, Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir shines. She lives with bipolar disorder, is an established researcher in the field, and writes well. Her memoir is called An Unquiet Mind. It melds psychiatry, literature, and her life story.
  • Another one for Mr. Knickerbocker: Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Leetham. It comes highly recommended, though I've yet to read it. A detective story and character study of someone with Tourette's syndrome.
  • ...incidentally, if anyone knows of an interesting book on dysthymia, I will love them forever. Nobody bothers with it, because it's not as dramatic as depression - but, being the only person I know like this, I am eternally curious.
  • This is rather late, but I just wanted to say thanks to Sundown, that's exactly the book I was looking for. And yes, Kimberly, it was really really good. :)
  • I picked up Martian Time-Slip, and am in the middle of it right now. I'm gonna check out some of these others, I just off with that one because I haven't read anything from Philip K. Dick, and I've been meaning to pick up something of his. Thanks everyone!
  • Wurwilf - searching Amazon.com turns up a number of books which relate to dysthemia. But, you may have tried that already. Anyway, here's a big hug, and a kiss on the forehead, and cup of really good hot chocolate, with some cookies for dipping. Oh, and some really soft flannel pjs and a fluffy, warm down comforter, now that the weather is getting colder. A little luxury, even if in a dream, is a great comfort.