I am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! (Paperback)

by Xavier Amador (Author), Anna-Lica Johanson (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Review
I strongly recommend this to families and therapists of seriously mentally ill patients. -- AARON T. BECK, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry

The focus throughout is on building mutual understanding and trust, so involuntary treatment can be avoided,if possible. -- LAURIE FLYNN, Executive Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

This book fills a tremendous void in the literature on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. -- E. FULLER TORREY, M.D., Director of the Stanley Foundation Research Programs on Schizophrenia and Manic-Depression;Author of Surviving Schizophrenia.

Product Description
About 50% of all people with schizophrenia and manic-depression do not understand that they are ill and refuse treatment.

Whether you are a family member or a therapist, in this book you will find hope in what the new research is revealing about the problem of poor insight into illness.

Prepare to be surprised and to have new hope. There is much you can do to conquer denial.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Vida Publishers (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967718902
• ISBN-13: 978-0967718903
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #376,420 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for families of the mentally ill, March 1, 2001

By	Carol Evans (Virginia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Xavier Amador has performed a tremendous service for families and therapists by translating the research on insight into mental illness into a highly readable and very practical book. Family members and therapists who read this will find their frustration with a "non-compliant" consumer melting away to be replaced with empathy and compassion, qualities that will enable them to begin laying the groundwork for a cooperative relationship with their loved one/client. Step-by-step methods for developing that relationship are clearly laid out, making this one of the most helpful, hopeful books to come along in a long time for those who treat or live with a mentally ill person.

I Am Not Sick...adds to the number of excellent books written for families of the mentally ill, and, in my opinion, tops the list. I just wish it had been available 20 years ago when my sister became ill. I am convinced that she would be much better off today if we had had access to this information.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful , February 1, 2006

By	A. Farrington (Clinton, Montana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is helpful in many ways but I think it's especially helpful if you're having trouble communicating with a mentally ill person or find yourself fighting with them about issues related to (or resulting from) their illness. This book teaches you about a person's "insight" into their illness and now that I understand that concept, I communicate differently with and have a better relationship with my loved one. This was the first mental health book I read from cover to cover; it is easy to read without overcomplicating anything. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for help communicating with or dealing with a mentally ill person.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all, April 6, 2003

By	Carla Jacobs (Orange, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

The title says it all. As an advocate for people with mental illness, daily I get calls from family members asking, "Why won't my loved one accept--seek--help." Amador's book answers that question: Because the person is suffering from a brain disorder, they think, "I'm not sick; I don't need help."

Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are brain disorders. As such, they may impact the person's ability to make viable judgement about treatment and, in many cases, even preclude the victim of the illness from recognizing they have a treatable medical condition. And, if you do not think you are ill, why would anyone accept treatment?

Amador's book explains in layman's terms the aspects of mental illness known as "lack of insight". At one time, lack of insight was considered to be the results of stigma, and indeed there is stigma surrounding mental illness. Today, science recognizes in some people lack of insight is the result of brain dysfunction itself. Simply put, the brain can recognize when the leg is broken, but the leg cannot take over for the computer of the body and recognize when the brain is not functioning correctly.

Amador does not stop with the explainations. Instead, he gives easy to follow advice on how to help someone you love with amental illness who does not recognize his/her own need for treatment. This book is a bible and a tutorial for people trying to help their very ill relative.