h1>NAMI Bookshelf: August 2010
Editors' note: Click the book title to order the book from Amazon.com and NAMI will receive a portion of the proceeds.
Taking Antidepressants: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting, Staying On, and Safely Quitting
Michael D. Banov
This book seeks to provide reliable,
balanced and neutral information. It discusses how
antidepressants work, whether they are safe and effective, how to
distinguish between right and wrong reasons to stop taking them and how
to stay off them and maintain recovery once you stop. Changes in
medication should be made in consultation with your doctor.
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Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children
Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian
(Three Rivers Press 2010)
Updated and expanded
from a 2006 edition, this book is about the journey of two mothers, one
whose child is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, the other’s with
bipolar disorder. “This survival guide is a must-read for families with
emerging and existing mental health conditions,” says Darcy
Gruttadaro, director of NAMI’s Child and Adolescent Action Center.
It provides practical advice along with real-life stories, resources and
a sense of humor.
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After Her Brain Broke
Susan Inman
(Bridgecross Communications 2010)
A mother from British Columbia recounts her family’s experience
following the onset of mental illness. This book emphasizes the importance of
family and individual education and empowerment, with references to NAMI
programs, among others, as sources of support.
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Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
Hillary Smith
(Conari Press 2010)
Written especially for teens and 20-somethings in the language
of a peer, this book is frank, irreverent and funny while providing
solid, comprehensive information. Too many books on bipolar disorder,
the author writes, are “too adult, too clinical, too alarmist” or
“clearly written family and caretakers at wit’s end.” This one is a
“little more bad-ass” and seeks to make a more helpful connection with
young adults encountering the mental health care system for the first
time. One chapter is devoted to college and work, another with family,
friends and relationships. The title is based on a song by the rock
band Guns N’ Roses.
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