ISBN #978-1787190702
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9th January 2017
“Identity Crisis” by M. K. Dalglish & Sally E. Dalglish is published
A portrait of a family profoundly affected by the extreme highs and lows of four siblings with bipolar symptoms
About the Book:
No mother has endured four children with the manic-depressive gene for 36 years, and, in league with one of her offspring, written about the lack of inhibition, horror and vigilance accompanying extreme moods.
This is a candid study from insiders of the communication breakdowns, medication, red tape, misunderstandings and suicide of one family member. Sally and Simon are survivors, and Charles, though suffering highs and lows is too quick-witted by far to get entangled with the medical world.
Mum’s mother, Dandan, “never approached anything directly. She was feline in her inconsequential tangent-like approach to something upon which her mind was set like a vice.”
Alex was often mistaken for a doctor at the nurses’ parties where he worked and was much admired as an artist. Deranged, he was unable to admit himself to a mental hospital and wrought havoc in his dream house. “Mum awoke to a thunderous racket. All the doors in the house were forcibly banged and torn open and banged again. There was a noise of shattering glass and china and heavy footfalls pounding on the stairs. Mum’s heart beat loudly. She breathed heavily. She knew Alex would not hurt her when he was himself. He was a gentle being. Now he was certainly not himself. She cowered under the bedclothes.”
Mum, who had to contend with her indomitable mother and innumerable harrowing experiences could still, aged 98, say, “I’ve had many happy days in my life.”
Amazon reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling rollercoaster of a read
By Gill Zukovskis on 6 Nov. 2016
Format: Hardcover
I found this personal testimony gripping and moving. It is a portrait of a family profoundly affected by the extreme highs and lows of four siblings with bipolar symptoms, suffered to varying degrees. The descriptions, written by Sally, one of the four children, in conjunction with her mother, give a vivid and poignant account of ongoing crises and interludes in between. What shines through most powerfully for me, along with the pain, fear and sadness of the family members and those close to them, is their tremendous capacity for endurance and resilience, and the touches of sometimes black humour. As well as offering a compelling family biography for general readers, I think this ‘insider’s guide’ would serve as a valuable teaching resource for health professionals, to raise awareness of the tremendous stresses and strains encountered by both patients and carers, and to help understand the potential effects of both supportive and unhelpful official interventions.
5.0 out of 5 stars A book to change perceptions of mental health
By Norma Gunn on 9 Dec. 2016
Format: Hardcover
The book is written both from the heart and from the point of a personal life-time experience of mental health issues. Having read the prequel, Screaming Dove, I was once again so impressed with the courage of the author’s mother in dealing with crisis after crisis for her children. I think this is a book which will bring an understanding to humankind, outwith the mental health field, of the difficulties which face people who are faced with the constant challenges and crisis which their condition puts them in. Understanding brings about change in attitude. I am sure it is a book which will bring comfort and relief to other families who suffer in the same way and could change our perception of mental health and its ensuing problems.
“Identity Crisis” is now available in hardback from Amazon UK at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Identity-Crisis-familys-experience-depression/dp/1787190714
This moving & gripping book is also available in paperback from Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Identity-Crisis-familys-experience-depression/dp/1787190706
The book can also be downloaded in e-book format from Amazon UK at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Identity-Crisis-familys-experience-depression-ebook/dp/B01N3LXNTU
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