This memoir offers an insider's viewpoint on the author's insanity and details the striking incompetence of a system of psychiatric care which leads to her incarceration. For years, Stephanie is not allowed to stay in hospitals long enough to reach recovery, as her insurance will not pay, and her psychosis is allowed to continue. As she is released from hospitals again and again, still unwell, her psychosis worsens. Finally, as her psychosis comes to its climax, she believes she must set her apartment on fire to benefit those around her by killing "witches."
Following her arson, she spends a month in a hospital, psychotic and not improving. She is then transferred to jail where she lingers in solitary confinement for months, too psychotic to even know where she is, unaware that she is even incarcerated. She is then transferred to another hospital. It takes over a year in that psychiatric hospital, but Stephanie finally receives the care she needs, and finds a medication regimen that works for her. Her sanity is restored, and she resumes a normal life. The book ends with hope.
This book is eye-opening to the failure of the system of psychiatric care in America. There is need for change in the system of care where people like Stephanie fall through the cracks. Had she been hospitalized long enough at the beginning, and received the care that she so badly needed-- and deserved-- at the onset, she would never have committed a crime, or ended up behind bars."
Following her arson, she spends a month in a hospital, psychotic and not improving. She is then transferred to jail where she lingers in solitary confinement for months, too psychotic to even know where she is, unaware that she is even incarcerated. She is then transferred to another hospital. It takes over a year in that psychiatric hospital, but Stephanie finally receives the care she needs, and finds a medication regimen that works for her. Her sanity is restored, and she resumes a normal life. The book ends with hope.
This book is eye-opening to the failure of the system of psychiatric care in America. There is need for change in the system of care where people like Stephanie fall through the cracks. Had she been hospitalized long enough at the beginning, and received the care that she so badly needed-- and deserved-- at the onset, she would never have committed a crime, or ended up behind bars."
Like what you have read?
Read MY MENTAL MADNESS MEMOIR now!
