Analysis of the book; When madness comes home: help and hope for families of the mentally ill
As the title “When madness comes home: help and hope for families of the mentally ill” suggests, this book targets individuals who have siblings, parents, or partners who are suffering from Mental illness (Secunda, 1997). Victoria Secunda, a journalist, writer, and lecturer wrote this book in the year 1997. The book provides a much-needed look at how mental illness affects friends and families of the mentally ill who the author refers to as “other victims” (Secunda, 1997). Drawing from her experience of living with a sister with mental illness and those of “other victims,” Secunda explores various aspects of mental illness including anxiety disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.
Secunda (1997) in this book reveals that one cannot know or understand fully what it is like to live with a mentally ill person unless you live with an ill person or are mentally ill. The author Secunda goes to great lengths to reveal the difficulties that spouses of mentally ill patients go through in marriages. She explores the kind of childhoods that offspring and siblings of the mentally ill have. The book reveals the helplessness that the “other victims” feel when madness comes home. She reveals the feelings of both loss and alienation that they are confronted with along with stigmatization that leaves them overwhelmed. Secunda (1997), besides drawing attention to patients diagnosed with mental conditions be it genetic or less defined, stresses on addressing the needs of those living with these patients. The author reveals how understanding this illness’s symptoms and sharing of experiences in support groups is helpful for those living with individuals that have mental illnesses. The writer divulges how important it is for family members to accept and acknowledge the existence of the illness.
Secunda (1997) writes in accessible prose which makes her writing easy to read and understand. Her writing is one that people can believe given that she draws from her life example having grown up with a sister who was mentally ill. The experiences of those she interviewed generally validate her feelings about living with a mentally ill person. Her work is commendable given that she went out and collected first-hand data on what it is like to live with a family member that is mentally ill. Reading this book, many will have moments of great revelation. Secunda (1997) quotes many professionals and while these quotes support her ideas, some may find it hard to pull all the information from all the doctors quoted such as Fuller Torrey, Michael Rutter, Robert Plomin, Judith Lewis, Jerome Kagan e.t.c. Aside from these, one cannot help but appreciate the extensive research conducted.
Many researchers have taken on to investigating the mental illness, how it comes about, who can get affected, prevention, and treatment e.t.c. However, as Secunda reveals, there is a lack of professional collaboration between clinicians and researchers concerning the efficacy of the procedures used for intervention. For example, different health practitioners fail to agree on nature or nurture being accountable for the development of mental illnesses in a person. Clinically this implies that professionals need to pool their talents and findings to come up with effective intervention. Secunda reveals how family members of individuals with mental illness are often not consulted on matters related to the patient in their care. She advises therapists consulting with the “other victims” on matters related to the patients’ behavior. Therapists also ought to involve family members in decisions related to effective treatment plans. Researchers also ought to involve these “other victims” in their studies because it is they who fully understand what it is like to live with a mentally ill person.
Secunda (1997) reveals that while the needs of the mentally ill persons are being addressed, the needs of those who live with such persons should also be addressed. Some of the “other victims” live in fear that they might become mentally ill too. Some face stigmatization and others feel helpless. Secunda reminds clinicians that in as much as they focus on mental illness treatment, they should draw attention towards prevention too. Clinically this implies that relatives of the mentally ill need family or individual therapy too. Therapists ought to advocate for and offer individual counseling for those who have to live with the mentally ill. The author extensively discusses a three-tiered approach that therapists and clinicians would find helpful in helping the “other victims” cope with mental illness and live a fulfilling life. Therapists can address the needs and fears children, spouses, or siblings of those with mental illness in support groups
The feelings of helplessness that come with having a family member ill mentally need to be addressed by therapists and solutions established (Secunda, 1997). Ignoring the needs of the “other victims” would be detrimental. The interviews that she conducted provide anecdotal information on the experiences of those living with mentally ill patients. This work is commendable and it is interesting going through her advice on how these victims can gain a sense of entitlement, belief in themselves, and how to deal with situations in which madness comes home. Anyone with a friend or family member that is mentally ill should read this book. It will help them learn to prioritize their lives and embrace their dreams.