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People with mental illness are far too often subjected to discrimination and unfair treatment. It is particularly unfortunate that much of this stigmatization comes from the very people they depend upon for help--those in the mental health professions. Too many practitioners and scientists maintain "us-versus-them" attitudes and are extremely reluctant to admit any personal or family experiences of mental illness. This culture of concealment must change, and this book will change it. A groundbreaking collection of moving and inspiring stories of serious mental disorder from trainees, clinicians, and scientists in the mental-health professionals, Breaking the Silence is the first book to reveal the deep commonalities between patients and professionals. With an unprecedented level of honesty and disclosure, the contributors tell their own and their families' stories of mental disorder. Renowned psychologist Steve Hinshaw--who previously disclosed his own family's struggles with misdiagnosed bipolar disorder and who has synthesized the world literature on the stigma of mental illness--integrates, synthesizes, and provides perspective on these revealing stories. As they relate their personal and family histories, the contributors also describe the serious impairments that can accrue, the strength and courage that can be derived, and the influence these experiences have had on their own decisions to enter the mental health field. Moving in its honesty, frank in its disclosures, and sensitive in its portrayals, Breaking the Silence will be a beacon for those in the mental health professions, trainees across the many related fields, family members, and anyone who is dealing with mental illness. Its stark stories of pain, denial, and impairment, along with its clear messages of hope, courage, and resilience, will inspire for years to come.
E-Book Content
Breaking the Silence
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Breaking the Silence Mental Health Professionals Disclose Their Personal and Family Experiences of Mental Illness
Edited by Stephen P. Hinshaw
2008
Oxford University Press, Inc., publishes works that further Oxford University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education. Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dares Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto With offices in Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen P. Hinshaw Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 www.oup.com Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Breaking the silence : mental health professionals disclose their personal and family experiences of mental illness / edited by Stephen P. Hinshaw. p. ; cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-19-532026-8 1. Mental health personnel—Mental health. 2. Mental health personnel—Family relationships. 3. Mental health personnel—Biography. 4. Mentally ill—Family relationships. [DNLM: 1. Mental Disorders—Personal Narratives. 2. Family Relations—Personal Narratives. WM 40 B828 2008] I. Hinshaw, Stephen P. RC451.4.P79B74 2008 616.890092—dc22 2007012827
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
Contents
Contributors Introduction, Stephen P. Hinshaw
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