We all want to support the people in our lives who may be struggling. Sometimes, a hug or a kind word can go a long way. But in some cases, a person might be struggling with something so serious—a substance use disorder or a mental health disorder, for example—that it is hard to know how best to help. Arguably, that is particularly true when the difficulty in question is schizophrenia.
That is because schizophrenia can truly upend a person’s life in ways that can be hard to understand. The disorder can be frightening—both for the person who has it and for those who are trying to care for them. And because schizophrenia has been represented in some inaccurate ways in the media over the years, a lot of misconceptions persist.
Books about Understanding Schizophrenia
So, how can you get a better sense of what your loved one is experiencing? One approach might be to read books by individuals who have lived with schizophrenia. Here are some to consider.
The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks
Elyn Saks lives with schizophrenia but has refused to let it hold her back. Committed to achieving her goals, she became a psychiatrist, lawyer, and professor. She earned degrees from the University of Oxford, Vanderbilt University, and Yale Law School. Saks tells her story with honesty, never shying away from the difficulties she has faced—and continues to face. But her story is also one of hope, demonstrating clearly that a schizophrenia diagnosis is not necessarily the end of a person’s aspirations.
Me, Myself, and Them by Kurt Snyder
Subtitled A Firsthand Account of One Young Person’s Experience with Schizophrenia, this book was written when Snyder was an adult looking back at when he first experienced the symptoms of schizophrenia. A promising math student, Snyder’s work and life began to unravel as he became increasingly paranoid. By looking back at the early days of his experience with the disorder, Snyder provides insight into how schizophrenia first manifests and then develops over time.
Henry’s Demons by Henry Cockburn and Patrick Cockburn
Henry Cockburn first experienced the symptoms of schizophrenia when he was 20 years old. He and his father co-wrote this book, and it provides the perspective of the person with the disorder and the experience of the family who loves him. As a result, this book might be particularly appealing to someone whose loved one is diagnosed with schizophrenia because it includes the story of those who must figure out how best to help and support a person facing the disorder.
A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise: A True Story About Schizophrenia by Sandra Allen
When Sandra Allen received her uncle’s memoir, she wasn’t immediately sure how to address his request that she help get it out so that people could read his experience as a person with schizophrenia. The manuscript was more than 60 pages long, and each page was single-spaced. The text—typed in all caps—on those pages was filled with errors and was, at times, wholly incomprehensible. But Allen wanted to honor her uncle’s request, and the book she created is a masterful exploration of family and an inspiring example of empathy.
Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia by Pamela Spiro Wagner and Carolyn S. Spiro M.D.
Imagine your twin sister is diagnosed with schizophrenia. That is what happened to Carolyn Spiro when her sister Pamela began hearing disembodied voices. While Carolyn must have worried the same thing might happen to her, the sisters maintained a strong bond. While Pamela had been considered the more academically promising of the sisters, Carolyn went on to become a psychiatrist, earning her degree from Harvard Medical School. Together, the twins penned this memoir about their experiences with the disorder and with each other—two people with the strongest of bonds, but two very different paths through life.
Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health Treats Schizophrenia
For more information about schizophrenia and how Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health can help those struggling with the disorder, visit this page.
Mental Health Treatment Can Give You a New Start
At Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health—located in Johnstown, Colorado—we provide personalized care for mental health disorders. We are dedicated to helping you improve your mental health and maintain those improvements over time. In addition to schizophrenia, we treat bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, suicidality, and dual diagnoses of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Our work is grounded in evidence-based treatment practices as well as rigorous training, years of experience, and a commitment to empathy for every person we serve.
If you or a loved one needs help with a mental health challenge, we are ready and able to help.
