Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey [Hardcover]

Susan Frances Dunham (Author), Larry Hayes (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2010

What would you do if your child suffered with something so severe it affected every aspect of his life?

Susie Dunham, Midwestern mom and former nurse, never suspected her son Michael was anything but a typical college student with big dreams until he developed schizophrenia shortly after his 21st birthday. The Dunham family quickly becomes immersed in the nightmare world of mental illness in America: psychiatric wards, a seemingly indifferent nursing staff, and the trial-and-error world of psychotropic meds. Michael's ultimate recovery and remission comes with plenty of traumatic incidents involving both ignorance and stigma, but his courage and quest for dignity will inspire all readers.

"Susie Dunham's heroic, heart-rending story is a beacon of light in the darkness of insanity. It shows that recovery is hard-won but possible for people who develop schizophrenia, despite a media that sensationalizes them, a society that shuns them, and a dysfunctional mental healthcare system that fails them miserably."
--Patrick Tracey, author of Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family's Schizophrenia

"Every person in a leadership position needs to take the time to read this moving story of triumph over adversity."
--State Representative John Adams, Ohio House Minority Whip

"The fact that Michael bravely fought this disease, picked up the pieces and moved beyond it, should give others hope that one day schizophrenia will be seen as a treatable disease with no stigma attached."
--Sharon Goldberg, News & Reviews Editor,"NYC Voices": A Journal for Mental Health Advocacy

"Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey is a book that I couldn't put down. The story of Michael's parents Susie and Mark who support their son both in good times and bad really touched me. I really like the way the symptoms of schizophrenia are explained clearly."
--Bill MacPhee, Founder/CEO of SZ Magazine

Also available in trade paperback and eBook editions
Learn more at www.SusieDunham.org

From the Reflections of America Series at Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

PSY022050 Psychology : Psychopathology - Schizophrenia
BIO026000 Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
MED105000 Medical / Psychiatry / General

Product Details

• Hardcover: 198 pages
• Publisher: Modern History Press (December 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615990585
• ISBN-13: 978-1615990580
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,714,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Schizoprenia: Michael's Story, January 10, 2011

By 

A. Winstead - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey (Reflections of America) (Kindle Edition)

Having known Susie and the entire Ralph family as well as having had the opportunity to meet Michael during his unbelievable recovery, this book had a very special meaning. As close as I was to many of the events described here (from afar) I was totally uninformed about this disease that the struggles that the Dunham's had to deal with for so long. Without the unconditional love of Michael by Susie and Mark along with the grandparents, uncles and aunts plus the thousands of people that had Michael included in their prayers, the good outcome in this wonderful young man's life may not have come about. Susie may be the youngest of the Ralph clan, but to me, she is the toughest of them all and that is saying something! She brings to light not only the story of schizophrenia but the stigma associated with all mental illnesses which are mostly caused my chemical imbalances. This story is an excellent education for all people and should be on everyone's required reading list. Susie is a prime example that as parents, we are the only true advocates for our children.

Richard Winstead

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Insightful, December 23, 2010

By 

Todd Jeffrey (Bend, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey (Reflections of America) (Paperback)

Mrs. Dunham's book is a very powerful and insightful look into how the schizophrenia journey begins and progresses how the heartache effects the family when dealing with their loved one. Thank you Susie Dunham for sharing Michael's story with us and may God Bless your family.

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is hard to put down, November 13, 2011

By 

Christine Fenton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey (Hardcover)

Susie Dunham is very brave for sharing her family's story with the world in this non-fiction book, "Beyond Schizophrenia: Michael's Journey." I found this book hard to put down once I began reading it - it was very engrossing and personal. Prior to reading this book, I did have some knowledge about Schizophrenia, which is part of the reason I chose to read the book. Reading the book did give me more information about it, but also gave me more insight into what it is lilke to have a family member who has this terrible disease.

I gave this book four stars, not five, because I felt it could have been improved by sharing more about what Michael's father was feeling and going through during the journey. I found myself wondering about him while I was reading the book, and it was distracting to me.

Over all, this was a very good book, which I read in one day. I felt bad for Michael and his family, and was hoping the best for them throughout the book, and even after I finished reading it. This book is appropriate for teenagers and adults, and would be a good read for anyone who works with or near those with mental illnesses.

Christine Fenton