When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness

"It was as if the author had spent the last several years watching our lives and was coaching from the sidelines. A must read for those in the same situation. "
~ Written on 2008-09-02

"The book is good. After seeing 2 other specialist and as time has gone by, we have been fortunate to realize that initial diagnosis was wrong.
Please NEVER stay with one single opinion in cases like this.
I felt like I died for a month after hearing the first diagnose. It was wrong.I will neither get those days back nor erase the pain and stress it caused at the time. It is over and that is a ggod thing. Get a second, third, forth opinion. God Bless."
~ Written on 2007-09-13

"This is probably the best book available for the family members of someone with a mental illness. It includes comprehensive information and practical suggestions for coping with a severe mental illness in a loved one. Highly recommended! "
~ Written on 2007-01-10

"This is a handbook for families, friends, and caregivers of those with mental illness. It provides clear-cut guidelines, with chapter summaries laid out in useful, easy-to-read charts that include specific suggestions. Very practical, very informative. Covers about any topic related to mental illness you can think of. This book should be required reading for anyone dealing with a loved one with mental illness."
~ Written on 2007-01-09

"This book is wonderful. If you are dealing with a family member who has a mental illness (particularly severe schizophrenia), you will find answers and helpful advice throughout this book. The first few chapters provide insight into the illness and it's especially readable because Woolis doesn't get overly medical. She provides enough information for you to understand about the illness and why your relative may have it. The book is chock-full of useful advice, and we have tried many of her suggestions (with success) already. She walks you through ways to talk to your family member during `episodes,` how to get them to perform basic tasks, how to ask them to take meds, and so on. There is advice for almost every situation. And, the best part is that Woolis treats the illness with respect, and encourages us to do the same throughout the entire book. I really felt that her advice is from the heart, and meant to help us. There is a section on how we need to focus on ourselves too, and that was particularly helpful. The book is very user-friendly, and can be read cover to cover or in sections. Many of the sections answer the questions most family members have, and offer concrete and realistic ways in which to handle the bizarre requests and behaviors that accompany mental illness. Everyone in our family has a copy that gets a lot of use. Highly recommended."
~ Written on 2005-12-30