My book was released a couple of weeks ago and the feedback so far has been very positive. The book has not yet hit the New York Times Bestseller list yet, although Christmas is still a few weeks away. I want people to realize the book is available just before the season of giving, and the gift to me is a purchase of my book. Go to Authorhouse.com or Amazon.com to purchase.
My hope is that the book is successful for many reasons, although mostly for one. To help people that are entitled to it. People with mental health problems. As I have mentioned before, these are the finest people in our society. They are not to be ignored, segregated or stigmatized. Consider mental health questions and answers by myself at 'Ask the Psychiatrist"along with a further discussion of this issue at obad.ca (the self help group devoted to bipolar patients).
90% of people with mental health problems are hard working, conscientious and performance oriented (see their value in what they can achieve). My publisher is AuthorHouse.com and they were quite helpful in getting my book to market. I primarily owe the completion of the book to my wife, my literary agent Ariela Wilcox and my marketing agent David Davis at MCD.com. I should also mention the people with mental health concerns that have helped me understand life better and the inspiration to write the book in the first place. I cannot neglect mentioning people out there who have no understanding of mental health problems also. My book is designed to invite them into a life of less prejudice and better understanding, which will provide testimony to education being a key to freedom and less fear.
For all the people that don't realize we are more than apes and that there is more to mental health problems than abnormal chemistry, strange parenting and not trying hard enough in life. All of these issues are important, and there are more. Yet, because of the complexity of life, everything adds to everything else. People with problems don't need chastising, they need understanding and compassion.
Oprah, America's biggest advocate for talking about issues deserves mention. Even she has struggled with assuming things that are not true. On a recent show, according to one of my patients, Oprah interviewed Dr. Kay Jamison. Dr. Jamison is a world authority of Bipolar disorder and someone I have had the pleasure of meeting. Apparently Oprah told her that she at one time thought that Bipolar disorder was an excuse. This is from a sophisticated, intelligent person that has done more for the mental health of Americans than anyone else has in the last twenty years.
Thankfully, Oprah now feels that Bipolar disorder is real and not an excuse. Oprah's interview of Dr. Jamison highlights how far we have to go, to inform people of the reality of mental health issues and their importance in terms of health care. Check out Oprah at Oprah.com
If you want to be better informed regarding mental heath issues and also to see that people with these problems are our best citizens, read my book. It costs $12.95 online and it might change your life. It will certainly help mine. Peace and happy holidays.
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2 comments:
Hi Chris,
Once again I am refreshed to see someone writing about people with mental health challenges and demonstrating such understanding and empathy.
I have Bipolar Disorder and have lived with the symptoms for over 20 years. I have my owne stressful and successful business, three children and a husband. I am a fully responsible person, active and aware and provide advice for so many seemingly "normal" people in my area of expertise. My reputation for sound advice is such that I am sought out.
Only some of my clients no about my diagnosis and none of them know about my challenges.
Removing the stigma and the prejudice is so important. People with mental helath challenges are Mothers, Fathers, teachers, bankers, advisors, doctors, counsellors, friends and lovers. We are not twisted examples of humanity but courageous people, with amazing gifts to offer, who mostly show no real sign of our challenges outwardly.
You are right when you say that Bipolar Disorder is not an excuse.... I truly wonder what anyone beleiving that it is thinking that it is an excuse for? An excuse for working twice as hard sometimes just to accomplish what others can do an instant? An excuse for the incredible courage that is demonstrated over and over? An excuse for really micromanaging each thought as it enters our minds and we dissect it, performing amazing acts of CBT on ourselves in an instant? An excuse to become more aware? To question our every motivation or lack of motivation?
An excuse to live in fear? Well maybe, but the "normal" population certainly has their lists of excuses for that.
Not only do we wrestle with our mental challenge but with stigma and prejudice and the very real fear that we will be judged for this label if we reveal ourselves. I have spent countless hours working on THAT fear.
To tell or not to tell. A difficult question as it may be necessary to tell to get help. These challenges are not always obvious to others. There are no crutches or wheelchairs to give us away only fear from those who do not understand. This can be a lonely place.
Dr. Jamieson is amazing and her story not so different from mine.
Truly, many of the people I have met with this diagnosis are really, really what one may label as bright. Most of them are very self aware and very responsible people. They take responsibility for their feelings, thoughts and emotions and do not play the victim as many would suppose.
Oprah has done a lot for raising the awareness of the public with regard to these challenges and specifically Bipolar Disorder. I thank her and I thank you for your continuing efforts.
Thanks again
Liz
I think too much is spent on elevating mentally ill people on an extraordinary plane.
They are just like everyone else - smart, stupid, greedy, helpful, spiteful, resourceful etc etc etc.
People with Bipolar Disorder have one thing which is good and bad - they can attract what they really want without inhibitions while the rest of us want the same but do it by going to Las Vegas without our spouses.
In traditional cultures the reality is that those with Bipolar Disorder did things without fear and revered - but they also died earlier than most - modern psychiatry has still not elevated the average lifespan of a male with Bipolar Disorder which is seven years less than the norm.
Okay maybe BIG PHARMA is good at convincing doctors what to prescribe even though there are no long term studies on modern mood stabilizers and atypicals.
Maybe all of us in psychiatry should really tell patients to start their plans for the earlier exit. I thought 65 or so was the start of retirement but for Bipolar Males its about time to get ready for another life.
With cynicism should come action.
Then again pharma doesnt necessarily offer the great getaways but presentations to other doctors makes up for not getting a good lunch
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