Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Journey

Dear David,
Thank you so much for your taking the time to read a few chapters and for your comments. I've been doing a lot of revisions to the book in the last few days, and it's possible that you caught the Table of Contents when it was also being revised. When I went back to check your comment about the Alexander Technique chapter, the Alexander Technique is the correct title for Chapter 27 and it is also briefly mentioned in a subsequent chapter. I've fixed the long gap that you noticed, so thank you. I can see now how it would be easy to skip over the first chapter. I've tweaked the first page make it clearerthat Chris is my son. Thanks for pointing this out.
Best regards, and good luck!
Rossa

I highly recommend this book, not only for people who are interested in learning about alternative treatments for mental illness, but for readers who are interested in holistic therapies in general, and in personal growth. I've read all the available chapters, and thank you for your candid sharing. Five stars.
Jilaine Tarisa
A Moment of Time

Jilaine,
Thank you very much for your recommendation. I am honored to be recommended by an Editor's Desk author!
Best regards,
Rossa

I highly recommend this book, not only for people who are interested in learning about alternative treatments for mental illness, but for readers who are interested in holistic therapies in general, and in personal growth. I've read all the available chapters, and thank you for your candid sharing. Five stars.
Jilaine Tarisa
A Moment of Time

Rossa, this is a compelling manuscript, one that deserves to be widely read. As you seek to find answers to your son's strange behaviour, your concern and love for him shines through.

Time has so far prevented me from reading more than several chapters. (This includes the one on Alexander Technique, a particular interest of mine. By the way, it appears that it is wrongly listed in the table of contents, you write about in Chapters 25 and 26, not 27.) But I am happy to give it 5 stars, and hope to read more soon.

Oh, I also nearly missed the first chapter, due to the large gap between it and the table of contents. And I was also struck (unless I missed it) that you appear not to call 'Chris' your son in the opening chapters. Perhaps for the sake of clarity, it would be helpful to do so.

Thanks again for your support of 'Master Act'.

David

I highly recommend this book, not only for people who are interested in learning about alternative treatments for mental illness, but for readers who are interested in holistic therapies in general, and in personal growth. I've read all the available chapters, and thank you for your candid sharing. Five stars.
Jilaine Tarisa
A Moment of Time

This isn't the sort of thing I'd pick up, but I found it really easy to read and quickly became absorbed.
I hope a lot of people read this.

Starred and shelved with best wishes.

Diana
Pascual's Birthday

Hey Rossa,
I read your chapters, I enjoyed your clear narrative in writing, you expressed your own mind and have reflected your own emotional intelligence and limitations beautifully. You are honest about your feelings and show the reader how we all are limited by our conditioning, IMO this humility is the first step in healing our minds...
You have shown modern medicine and science as for now is very limited in understanding the human mind.
Doctor's who have approached psychology and psychiatric problems holistically have achieved better results than just dependence on drugs... wonderful message for mothers/ parents facing your situation.
I want to read chapter 31 to 36. look forward to read when you post them.
Since I am involved in meditation, would love to share some thoughts with you,
Our human mind is psychologically limited by our habitual thinking. All mental disorders, except a few biological and chemical imbalances are present in everyone of us, but most of us manage to stay in balance due to our adaptation to practical reality. I find people who are sensitive and emotionally intelligent loose objectivity sometimes because human life is mentally not very balanced. Simply adapting to stupid mindsets causes conflicts within naturally sensitive minds.
We are naturally gentle compassionate and joyous brains...our conditioning/training has caused us to loose our natural emotional wisdom, our brain is not healthy because we have adapted to live as we learnt.
Our Body( Brain included) heals naturally, it adapts to natural deformities, but in case of our mind, we need to learn how to use our brain naturally, then we heal naturally.
Your book is highly starred by me, and I wish you success since your message is wonderful for parenting in different situations we parents face,

Take care, stay warm and joyous,
love,
Arun.

HOLISTIC RECOVERY
This is a story that needs to be told as so many other people out there must be wondering about the same things as the author: are the subtle changes they see in their child something to worry about or not? Your writing style is flowing and easy to read. I like the way you begin this by recounting the first signs of schizophrenia and then, how this becomes a family condition, not a single person one. I’m adding this to my shelf. Wanttobeawriter: Who Killed the President?

Wow, what an incredible and exceptionally well-written story. I have only touched the surface of your book, yet have found it intriguing, compelling, fascinating. Many in today's world would do well to learn from your story, your son's life, and your family's triumphs.

Thank you for sharing,
Justis Call
Snow Bound

Hi, Cool,
I really appreciate your taking the time to read the book, and I hope I can do the same for yours. I am finding that I am swamped with work at the moment and falling down in my authonomy obligations. But, I do keep track of books. For the time being I have put yours on my WL for future reference. My manuscript is not finished, I still have to fix the final chapters and find a compelling ending.
Thanks very much for your support.
...Rossa

Rossa: I finished reading your book as it is quite compelling.
Best of luck,
Rich-Cool1

Rossa,

Your book would be a help to anyone with mental illness. Schizophrenia is such a complex and touchy subject; however your book has put this illness into perspective, offering hope and help to those who deal with the subject. Please keep up the superb writing and know that I have placed you on my shelff....

Rossa: I have read the first six chapters of your book, as well as the last and found it to be an interesting account of your son's struggle with Schizophrenia. I am glad to hear he has something that works for him. I work with people in supported housing that have been released from institutions. We don't see many success stories, but have a couple of people in management level positions that function well with their illness. It seems your son may be among the lucky ones that found what works for him.
Cool1

Hello Rossa , I have been extremely interested in your book about your son and have found it very gripping . i have actually read two chapters when I normally only read one. Extremely well written , the tone cool , but very alert and full of insight - it also raises the problem that , to an extent , all adolescent boys elicit symptoms of schizophrenia with their arrogance , bravado and grandiosity - you obviously know your subject area . I wonder if you would be able to look at the first chapter of my novel 'A Buccaneer' , which is set amongst Pirates in the 17th century . Watchlisted and starred .with best wishes from Strachan Gordon.

loved what I've read so far, looking forward to reading the rest. You take a fresh new approach to an age old condition.

Hi Rossa, these are familiar themes for me, and i am grateful that books like this will show people that holistic medicine has NOT got the final answer. As an expressive arts therapist, I have used a mixture of energy-therapy, art modalities and A Course in Miracles - metaphysics. These are also methods I have used on myself - and for me, the metaphysics was the most helpful way.
I love that we are living in these times, where new ways of thinking are flowering the dry landscapes of "take a pill."
I love that I can read about it books like yours, where one can see that your journey together is a spiritual one.
I so hope this is published!
Best of luck!
Leelah saachi, "When fear comes home to love"

I just signed up to this site today and have skimmed through some other peoples' work, but yours has captivated my attention like no other. I've only read a few chapters, but I will be sure to invest more time once I have the chance. Please keep up the great work! I think the disease is very misunderstood and it's wonderful that you are shedding light on the concept. My mother suffers from borderline personality disorder, and it did not make for an easy childhood, considering my father is a cardiologist and very dedicated to his work. This has inspired me to start writing about my own experiences as a child with a parent with a mental disorder. Thank you!

Rossa,
I read your introduction with great interest as I have a disdain for the pharmaceutical industry and its quest for profit to the detriment of human health. Natural cures exist which they don't want you to know about to quote a bestselling author who has exposed the greed of this industry and the harm it has caused to people due to the harmful side effects of medications they are continually inventing. Your true story of Chris's recovery from schizophrenia without the use of medication is harrowing and inspiring. It has great practical benefit to anyone who is schizophrenic or knows someone with schizophrenia. I applaud your bravery in sharing this private account with the public and know many would stand to benefit from its publication. Many medications which are frequently prescribed to treat mental illness cause more harm than good due to the dreadful side effects. The drug companies who are inventing more medications in a quest for profit are unconcerned about the natural treatments which would make many prescription medications less profitable if the public were educated about the natural ways of treating illnesses and disorders which are commonly treated with medications that provide no real cure, but simply mask the symptoms and often create other health problems due to the side effects. Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Journey is a story which should be shared with the public as any recovery program which doesn't involve the conventional prescription of medications should so the public is aware there are alternatives to how the medical establishment treats these conditions.

Walden Carrington
Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story

I was fascinated by author Rossa Forbes book, Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Journey. I have a family member who works with people who have mental problems and the really scary part is that over the past ten years, the number of people brought into the institution has tripled. There are more patients there now than at any time in history, and those numbers are growing. From a ground level view like that, its easy to tell that something is wrong. Nobody is being cured, and the number of mentally ill people keeps growing almost exponentially.

Author Rossa Forbes also has a ground level view, within her own family. And instead of accepting that lifetime drug treatment is the answer for her son, she goes on a journey to find a way to actually cure his schizophrenia, not merely treat it.

Although the book could be considered a self-help manual, it’s a lot more personal than that. I feel like I know both Rossa and Chris from reading their story, and I wish them the best.

A book like this needs to be published. The system today is all about containment of the problem, but that is not working. Something is wrong with the current treatment, and I hope books like this one open up the minds of doctors working in the field, and provide comfort and advice for those affected by mental illness.

John Breeden II
Old Number Seven

Rossa, Many thanks for your reply it is heartening to read of Chris' progress.

Good luck with the book

Heavensent, my goodness, you must be a first. Thanks for getting through all the chapters to date. I have a couple of more interesting chapters that I haven't uploaded yet that are about the sound therapy, and then I got stuck because I wanted to make all kinds of links with schizphrenia, God, quantum physics, which is probably overly ambitious on my part. You have given me some ideas that I should discuss the impact on Chris's brothers, but they seem to understand the situation and are supportive. On the other hand, they are urging Chris to do something with his life now that he seems to be more resilient. Chris is doing very well, is 27 years old, sings Handel and Haydn solos in church and is involved in the local amateur operatic society. He also spends two days a week out of town working for an artist. We are all waiting for him to one day announce to us that is is ready to leave the nest and here is what he plans to do that involves further training or university. So far, that has not happened. The point of all those therapies that I dragged us through was to make him (and me!) more reslient, so that life's inevitable slings and arrows don't cripple him as they once did. He is definitely a new person. He has grown a new skin and is not the ghost person that he was as an infant and child. He actually has opinions now about things. I actually don't think that being the centre of attention is something that the person is deliberately demanding. It's more that psychosis is so shocking, so out of the ordinary, that everything else stops around it. But, you may be referring to the chapter on acting, and there is some truth to that. It is interesting that Chris is a soloist, because this means he has to be the center of attention, and he is finding that he is enjoying this. Performing was the last thing I ever imagined him doing when he was a child, since he was trying to fade away into the background. This is a long way of saying that schizophrenia, properly handled, is an opportunity to grow. Again, many thanks for your support and your comments!
...Rossa

Hi Rossa
I finshed reading all the pages you have uploaded, it was quite an investment of time. Well spent I might add. The book gives lots of information on alternative therapies, medications etc. I was left wondering about the two other chilren and how they felt about Chris demanding so much of your time and energy? Do you cover this later in the book? I also wondered if a need to be the centre of attention is synonymous with schizophrenia? Of course the last and most important question is, how is Chris now, or do I have to wait for the book to be published to find out? I've shelved your book and starring it too. Thank you for sharing it.

Thank you, Heavensent. If you have further comments or questions, I'd be happy to respond.
All the best,
Rossa

Dear Rossa

How wonderful that you have been able to document this journey. This book will be a source of of help and inspiration to so many people. I have read some of the pages today and hope to be back later to continue reading your story.

Very best wishes
HS

Hi Rossa
This is an exceptionally important work. Thank you for sharing your experiences with schizophrenia and the medical remedies vs. the faith healing.
This is valuable for those who never encountered schizophrenia: they could understand what the suffering is. The rest who have encountered schizophrenia may learn how to wrestle with such a challenge. In context of your son, I salute your efforts. Being a doctor I am aware that parents of the patient suffer more than the patient.
Furthermore, schizophrenia is still the darkest field of modern medicine.
I wish your book get published: I will certainly buy one.
With best wishes.
Ajay

Hi Rossa
This is an exceptionally important work. Thank you for sharing your experiences with schizophrenia and the medical remedies vs. the faith healing.
This is valuable for those who never encountered schizophrenia: they could understand what the suffering is. The rest who have encountered schizophrenia may learn how to wrestle with such a challenge. In context of your son, I salute your efforts. Being a doctor I am aware that parents of the patient suffer more than the patient.
Furthermore, schizophrenia is still the darkest field of modern medicine.
I wish your book get published: I will certainly buy one.
With best wishes.
Ajay

Thank you, Moe for your support. The difference between me and the other mother's who have written so far about schizophrenia, is largely in the attitude to medication and their belief that schizophrenia is a brain disease. Once you remove yourself from a medical attachment to the illness, I find that real healing is possible.

Have only read two chapters so far and intend to continue. I'm interested in the theme of hindsight-insight that is displayed, where meaning comes to you at a later point in time. That has a significance for me, one that I can relate too. Congratulations for making this journey, it feels very relevant now that we look at people as unique human beings rather than pigeon hole them and make them fit into what is easiest for the medical profession.

Have only read two chapters so far and intend to continue. I'm interested in the theme of hindsight-insight that is displayed, where meaning comes to you at a later point in time. That has a significance for me, one that I can relate too. Congratulations for making this journey, it feels very relevant now that we look at people as unique human beings rather than pigeon hole them and make them fit into what is easiest for the medical profession.

Dear Roberta,
Thank you very much for your comments, your backing and your rating. I am humbled. I hope my book informs people about the over-reliance on medications and pharma when it comes to mental health.
Best regards,
Rossa
Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Journey

Wow, this is a break-through book and excerpts should be published in The New Yorker or some such magazine. I also think this is a must read, possibly even for academia. First of all, it is extremely well written and exposes the miss-application of psychotropic drugs for mental health issues, which is especially rampant in the USA. As someone whom has worked with the homeless community I can attest to the unreliable efficacy of some of the medications. Medication is only effective with other treatment like behavioral modification (coping), environmental adaptation, and monitoring. As someone who knew there was something wrong with my son by age 3 (ADHD, ODD) I can attest to the tendency for institutional thinking and applying blame. I am definitely backing this book and rating a 6. Thanks for sharing your journey to the benefit of us all.
Roberta

Wow, this is a break-through book and excerpts should be published in The New Yorker or some such magazine. I also think this is a must read, possibly even for academia. First of all, it is extremely well written and exposes the miss-application of psychotropic drugs for mental health issues, which is especially rampant in the USA. As someone whom has worked with the homeless community I can attest to the unreliable efficacy of some of the medications. Medication is only effective with other treatment like behavioral modification (coping), environmental adaptation, and monitoring. As someone who knew there was something wrong with my son by age 3 (ADHD, ODD) I can attest to the tendency for institutional thinking and applying blame. I am definitely backing this book and rating a 6. Thanks for sharing your journey to the benefit of us all.
Roberta

I read chapter 1 today, and thought it was very interesting, the little signs that you were picking up about the things that you felt weren't quite right about Chris's behaviour. The tapping of his head, the grandiose attitude, and his stand-offish attitude towards people. I haven't watched that film you mentioned, and didn't realise Nash was schizophrenic. I knew he had mental health issues, but it was interesting to hear about Nash's room-mate being in his imagination. But to a schizophrenic person, whether they are imaginary or not, they are very real to them.

I only noticed one thing that jumped out at me. You have a typo in regards to how late you were with Chris's pregnancy. It says you were 26 days overdue.

That's all for now. I'll have a read of chapter 2 when I get some more time. Off to write. Best wishes, Marita.

Marita - Thank you for your comments. I noticed your book on the top 5 list, but have not had much time to read other authors books of late. So I'm intrigrued to see that the hood is actually a neighbourhood and not a car hood, as I originally surmised. If it is easier, I can send you any chapters you want. I find it frustrating to read books on authonomy. There is only so much staring at a computer screen one can take.
Congratulations of your medal!
...Rossa

I saw your book recommended on the forum, and decided to read it because I've written about a schizophrenic character in my book. The person in chapter 2 and 4 is based on someone that I know, someone that is very important and dear. I'm not reading your book to get anything out of you as I have already got a medal on my book so you don't need to reciprocate. This review is purely because your topic is of interest.

I've just finished the introduction but will definitely be reading on. The mention of weight gain was something that jumped out at me. The person who has schizophrenia, as well as someone else I know who is classed as "Psychotic" (a horrible term), also complained about pills causing weight gain. I don't quite know everything about what the psychotic person experiences, but your mention of visions and voices fitted in with the schizophrenic person (I'd rather not name names). She has spirit guides, people who only she sees and speaks to.

Anyway, your intro was nicely written and I didn't notice anything that I could suggest to change. I'll let you know what I think of the first chapter when I get some more time. Kind regards, Marita.

Hi, Ben,
Thank you for taking the time to read a bit of my book and to send your comments. (Thanks for backing it!) No, I'm not an academic, just a mother who got pushed into something that she never imagined would happen. Interesting comment about the repetition. I am self-conscious about it, not sure if it works or not, so thanks for your feedback. I felt that my added value in writing the book was that I was a mother and most mothers are reluctant to write about their child's so called mental illness. I am also a mother who doesn't buy into the current love affair with pharma. I feel pharma lets parents off the hook of doing the really hard job of understanding and empathy, which leads to healing. Enough about me. I checked you out and see that your wine book will be published soon. Congratulationsl You also have a nice blog musing about the things that make live worth living - food, wine, music. You sound like the kind of person who I would love to have live next door.
Best regards,
Rossa

I have read the introduction and chapter 17. You write extremely well. The introduction is scholarly,

and makes me wonder whether you are an academic. Chapter 17, of course, moves into the memoir - because that is what this book is about. You use repetition effectively (rather than clunkily - a difficult trick to pull off). Even though I have only read two chapters, the book as a whole looks like it will be a convincing argument against the pharma industry and for alternative methods of healing. I am slightly dubious about amazing claims made (not in your book - just in general) on behalf of Alternative Medicine, having read 'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre, but I suspect that for mental health issues the alternative model is valid in many cases.

I saw your book recommended on the forum, and decided to read it because I've written about a schizophrenic character in my book. The person in chapter 2 and 4 is based on someone that I know, someone that is very important and dear. I'm not reading your book to get anything out of you as I have already got a medal on my book so you don't need to reciprocate. This review is purely because your topic is of interest.

I've just finished the introduction but will definitely be reading on. The mention of weight gain was something that jumped out at me. The person who has schizophrenia, as well as someone else I know who is classed as "Psychotic" (a horrible term), also complained about pills causing weight gain. I don't quite know everything about what the psychotic person experiences, but your mention of visions and voices fitted in with the schizophrenic person (I'd rather not name names). She has spirit guides, people who only she sees and speaks to.

Anyway, your intro was nicely written and I didn't notice anything that I could suggest to change. I'll let you know what I think of the first chapter when I get some more time. Kind regards, Marita.

I have read the introduction and chapter 17. You write extremely well. The introduction is scholarly, and makes me wonder whether you are an academic. Chapter 17, of course, moves into the memoir - because that is what this book is about. You use repetition effectively (rather than clunkily - a difficult trick to pull off). Even though I have only read two chapters, the book as a whole looks like it will be a convincing argument against the pharma industry and for alternative methods of healing. I am slightly dubious about amazing claims made (not in your book - just in general) on behalf of Alternative Medicine, having read 'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre, but I suspect that for mental health issues the alternative model is valid in many cases.

Thank you, Judy, for these really nice words. I've looked at your book, it looks promising, and will put it on my WL for the time being for a better read later. I'm not as active on this site right now as I would hope.
Best regards,
Rossa

It has already been said - this is an important work. Thank you for sharing your and Chris's experiences with schizophrenia and the accepted medical practice vs. the myriad alternatives one can explore. I wish you both well, I hope you will let me know if or when you post the rest of your book, and I hope you find a publisher. Books like this are too important to fall by the wayside. This needs to be out where people who seek alternatives can find it and benefit from your insights.
All the best,
Judy

Balepy - Much appreciated.
Rossa (Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Mother and Son Journey)

Rossa - your book on schizophrenia and various methods of seeking recovery is invaluable. Backed with stars and I shall read more of it. Balepy (Freckles the Fawn)

Rossa - your book on schizophrenia and various methods of seeking recovery is invaluable. Backed with stars and I shall read more of it. Balepy (Freckles the Fawn)

That's very interesting aboubt Kraepelin and the Rockefeller Foundation. I did a quick google check and his Institute in Munich received the Rockefeller money two years after Kraepelin died. If you have further information on why Rockefeller was interested in psychiatric research, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks for supporting my book. I revised my profile about an hour ago to reflect what I think is really unique about my memoir.

Excactely that's misspelled but who cares. Prozac and other drugs is an invention of the parmaceutical companies to fill their pockets. It also keeps the psychiatrists aflood, who otherwise will be out of work and in the ditch. I learned during my research that Kraeplin received $ 575,000 for research in Europe from Rockefeller. They owned the petroleum industry and they recently had discovered that by poducts of petroleum could be used to produce medicine.

This is a well-written and an absorbing book, but more importantly, it is a valuable book that points out the failures of pyschiatry - failures that ruin lives.
This is one that I would buy, and study. This is an exceptional book.
Marj.

What an interesting and well written book. I am sure it would be of great help to others close to someone with schizophrenia. I am finding it fascinating and have WL'd for backing as soon as possible. In the meantime, high starred.
Vall (Midwyf)

Vali - Thanks very much. I'll swing by your book on midwifery as soon as possible for a read.

Thanks, Liz. Your book looks promising and I will take a look at it when I come up for air. Will put it on my watch list to remind me that I promised you a read. I would appreciate any comments you have in your capacity as a psych nurse.

Best regards,
Rossa Forbes
Holistic Recovery from Schizophrenia

What an interesting and well written book. I am sure it would be of great help to others close to someone with schizophrenia. I am finding it fascinating and have WL'd for backing as soon as possible. In the meantime, high starred.
Vall (Midwyf)

As a psych nurse I am enthralled with this so far. So very candid and certainly hopeful! Shelved with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

On my shelf!
i.e.
The Impeccable Editor's Guide to Writing (and Rewriting)

I have read several chapters of your book - the intensity of work and time spent exploring different types of healing therapies is remarkable, your journey deserves recognition, respect and acceptance for what you have found out. You are an expert in all of this, you have found answers and healing. The power of thoughts, suggestions, comments and our own energy is the bigger picture and that is what you looked at with determination. Good for you, well done. I hope you listen to yourself - you have found the answers to much more than schizophrenia (not everyone will listen, that's life!)
Best Wishes.
Bradley Haynes (Tricia)

David, thanks for taking the time to do a follow-up comment. The point of my book, in any case, it to look past theories and get down to actually healing schizophrenia. Everybody is so tied up in research that they lose sight of what actually counts, which is becoming healed. -thanks again!

Rossa

I by no means want to diminish your argument, because I think is a very good one, nor do I want to engage in a scientific discussion here, - for this is not the place - so forgive me if you found what I said, disputable.

There many diseases that have a genetic origin, that doesn't mean you can trace it to one particular gene. In most diseases you have a multitude of genes interacting with each other. We know schizophrenia patients suffer from dopamine deficiency, that dopamine controls the pre-frontal cortex where thoughts are organized into an orderly flow, and that dopamine production like all neurotransmitters of the brain is guided by genetics, We know the onset of schizophrenia starts mostly in teen agers, and the predictability of the progression is pretty high, all further demonstrating it's genetic origin. That we have known for more than half a century.

That was not the point I was trying to make.

I think you make a very good point in your book that most respected scientists would agree. And that is, with structured therapy the symptoms of schizohrenia can be managed quite well. There is even the case of a woman in the US diagnosed with schizophrenia, who is one of the leading brain researchers in the field.

Add to that the fact that schizophrenia is one of the most miss-diagnosed brain diseases we know, and you have all the elements to be suspicious of the inevitability of it's symptoms.

So the point of your book is by no means diminished by that, because like I said before, genetics is not destiny.

Finally, most of the funding (i.e. 70% last time I checked) comes from NIMH and not the private sector.

David