Welcome, Silence: My Triumph over Schizophrenia [Hardcover]

Carol S., M.D. North (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0671528343 | ISBN-13: 978-0671528348 | Publication Date: June 1987 | Edition: First Edition

This is the amazing true story of one woman's journey deep into mental illness and her return to sanity -- and to a successful life and career. Carol North was diagnosed with schizophrenia in college. The story of her life is traced from her early life in a middle class small-town family in the Midwest. For many years, Carol struggled against overwhelming odds to achieve in school in spite of her illness and was finally admitted to medical school to pursue her hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor. In medical school, however, she slid further into psychosis and finally succumbed the inexorable incapacitation so often characteristic of the illness. Carol was fortunate enough, however, to find a skilled psychiatrist who understood her dedication to becoming a physician and who worked with her to stay well enough to remain in school. When all hope seemed lost, her doctor enrolled her in an experimental dialysis program, similar to the treatment given to patients with kidney failure. With this treatment, her illness went away and she no longer required medication for it. This engrossing and ultimately triumphant story of courageous struggle against mental illness will inspire anyone who has ever had to battle for achievement against overwhelming odds. After recovering from her illness, Carol returned to school and received her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri in 1983. She then completed her internship and residency at Barnes Hospital/Washington University, and subsequently obtained a masters degree in psychiatric epidemiology (the study of psychiatric disorders in populations) while simultaneously pursuing a NIMH fellowship in psychiatric epidemiology at Washington University. Dr. Carol North is currently a board-certified psychiatrist and full Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine. She treats patients with schizophrenia and a range of psychiatric illness, trains young physicians and psychiatrists, and pursues federally funded research in psychiatric epidemiology. She is the recipient of numerous national awards and has appeared on many national television and radio programs.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"A perfectly normal child," unusually intelligent, North was six years old in 1950 when her psychotic symptoms were noticed and subsequently misunderstood. Born in an unidentified "hick hometown," she was raised by watchful parents who blieved she was unduly fearful, not mentally ill, as she progressed through high school and into college while suffering the agonies of schizophrenia. Visions assailed her while "Other World" voices ranged from nonsense questions"Do you want a cigar?"to orders to kill herself. Hospitalized after a breakdown, she was diagnosed as incurable. Under the care of a psychiatrist, North was able to function and, in time, recovered. The effective treatment, dialysis, should interest readers with family members deemed hopelessly split from reality. Now a psychiatrist herself, North practices in Missouri. (June
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671528343
• ISBN-13: 978-0671528348
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Breathtaking, May 6, 2001

By 

Elly Winstead (Franklin, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome, Silence: My Triumph over Schizophrenia (Paperback)

I've always been torn over what I want to do with my education, but after reading this book I'm positve. Med school. On to psychiatry I go, and I have this book to thank for helping me make up my mind. The story of Carol North is gripping, you feel for her, and you don't really think of her as 'insane' as you read. I recommend this book. Don't just check it out from the library, buy it.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dr. North gives words to symptoms of mental illness, February 4, 2005

By 

Psycho "Lindita" (Prairie du Rocher,IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome, Silence: My Triumph over Schizophrenia (Hardcover)

I found this to be a very helpful book,as I also suffer from severe mental illnesses. Dr. North is a very talented doctor,and I have had the pleasure of meeting her. She doesn't just name symptoms,she elaborates and gives life to the symptoms;she gives them names. The only problem I have with this book is that I do not believe Schizophrenia can be cured by dialysis. I'm not sure if this means Dr. North still suffers from it,or whether she really had it at all. There are other causes for some of the symptoms,like toxins in the blood for example.Nevertheless,I had my family read this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There are so many things we should be thankful for, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Welcome, Silence: My Triumph over Schizophrenia (Paperback)

I translated this book into Turkish and I assume it will go into print sometime around October 1998. It took me a month to translate it and I enjoyed every minute of it. It is one of those books that help you understand the mental picture of a person much better and gets you acquainted with a phenomenon like schizophrenia about which many of us know nothing. It is an autobiography written in utmost sincerity and precision. After reading this book you will understand how simplicity can be the most beautiful thing in the world.