Hidden Side to the Story eBook

This is a gripping and thought-provoking account about living with someone who has a serious mental illness. Jane makes it real for those of us who don’t know much about these things, and even more so for those who do. This is what really happens; for her partner with the illness; for her children, and for herself, trying to hold it together through endless trials that sometimes almost extinguish hope. There are few easy answers here; this is a book for grown-ups who accept that your best efforts can often come to nought; but that there is no useful choice but to keep trying and to keep learning. Her struggles to find accurate information, principles and priorities that work for herself, and essential personal support, are both familiar and unique. The barriers are so often the same, but no two individuals find exactly the same way through.
Statistics about mental illness are trotted out endlessly and never quite agree. Suffice to say hundreds of thousands of families are dealing with serious mental illness right now. This is not some rare exotic set of diseases that we can safely rule out of our life plans. All too many of us will find themselves in circumstances similar to Jane’s. This highly personal book is one that we all need to read.
(Posted on 25/11/11)

Hidden Side to the Story is a personal story of caring, which presents the very real impacts on a carer of caring for a family member with a mental illness. These impacts cannot be underestimated as they transcend into relationships, work, employment, social connectedness and general well-being. The value in this story is for others to identify with it and learn, and to hopefully seek support for themselves in their role as a family carer. (Posted on 25/11/11)

I would recommend this book to all family members and spouses who endure the consequences of one of their loved ones suffering a mental illness.
Mental health professionals will gain immensely by reading this book as it tells us the emotional journey that families endure when some on has a mental illness.
Jane generates hope, compassion and empathy in the reader as she narrates a very emotional and personal story of her spouse who suffered a suspected personality disorder and depression.
This book tells us how we can come to accept and become compassionate, retain hope and positivity in spite of suffering the consequences of living with a spouse with suspected personality disorder and depression.
In the last sentence of the book, Jane writes, “finally I hope that the sharing of my story can provide you with the confidence to seek help in your times of need and to support or provide care to others in need”. A very good reason why every family member of a person with mental illness/personality disorder/depression need to read this book.
The pressure we put ourselves under is often not necessary and at the end of the time we receive no thanks and no badges for being a martyr.
Jane writes “If my story touches a nerve with sufferers of a mental illness or a personality disorder, or those sharing a life with a sufferer and gives you courage to seek help for your situation, then I consider I have contributed in some minor way to breaking down barriers, so sufferers, carers and partners get the support they need”. I think this book fulfils her objectives.
“Imagine if we had a society where individuals cared for each other during the difficult times of one’s life, no matter what their age or health, that people could be provided with support in a non‐judgemental way and imagine the potential to create a life changing experience for them if they were provided this support”- Jane writes. What powerful words from someone who has endured the emotional roller coaster of living with a spouse with suspected personality disorder and depression. This book goes a long way in destigmatising mental illness. A must read.
(Posted on 25/11/11)