The Naked Bird Watcher [Paperback]

 

 

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Naked Bird Watcher Reviews

I have recently, in fact less than a fortnight ago bought a copy of "The Naked Bird Watcher" and have subsequently bought a copy of "To Walk On Eggshells".

The books are wonderful. I have no doubt that you have had plenty of praise heaped upon you; but I felt the need to add another stone to the Cairn (sorry, had to make the joke as well)

"The Naked Bird Watcher" was concise and eloquent; it covered all the bases and managed to do so without sensationalising the condition. The other more difficult thing to describe is the level of normalcy you bring to the disorder and mental health in general.

"To Walk On Eggshells" was equally insightful and it was fascinating to see the situation from the other perspective.

I received a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder earlier this year, it took me more than a few weeks to get around to telling my family and it is still a tentative area, however unlike any of the other pieces of literature or books I have read on the subject I have passed onto these two books for them to read.

I can't really find the words to say (type) but in essence thank you for the work you do and the books you have written, they are a huge help.

Thank you

Scott Gladstone

18th June 2007

Making mental illness acceptable.

By almost any standards, Suzy Johnston had a comfortable life, Brought up in an apparently loving home in a middle-class town, educted at St Andrews - perhaps Scotland's most prestigious university, she played hockey for her country, taught American kids to play soccer and played guitar for with the Scottish band Alkahounds.

She was also beset with physical and mental health problems from 13 years of age which lead to a diagnosis of manic depressive disorder. And it is clear she is on a mission - a mission to make mental illness 'acceptable' Much of her life has been normal - she enjoyed a drink with friends, had a laugh, studied, went home for the holidays and all the other things that everybody else does. The other part of her life: the depression, self loathing, social phobia and self-harming behaviour is described with such authenticity that the reader cannot but empathise. However, these are the twin strengths of this book. For the 'lay-reader Ms Johnston makes it abundantly clear that mental illness happens to 'nice people' too - not just those we turn away from. It happens to ordinary people (and even the midly privileged) too. For those readers who are themselves experiencing some form of mental health problem she makes it equally clear that help is generally available and that with help there can be 'light at the end of the tunnel' Speaking from her own experience she describes in detail her fight against manic depression, her hospitalisation, and her recovery, making it clear along the way that her recovery has meant she has had to make a number of significant lifestyle changes in order to accommodate the condition with which she lives. As professionals or lay people we benefit from the giving of her testimony - For that reason I recommend it.

Mental Health Nursing Journal,

Psychiatric lecturer/practioner,

This is an important and valuable book - it will help so many people and in so many different ways. It will change our views and opinions of mental illness.

I liked this book. I learnt a lot and it helped me understand my son's problems. It is the first book that has given me the hope that things will improve.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Damn good
A damn good read! It had me laughing and it had me in tears. It is certainly not a service-user's normal account of depression. Read more

Published on Jan 16 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Bird Watcher
I am a psychiatric nurse and have read many books written by service-users about depression but I've never read one that was not depressing. This one is't - what a super book!

Published on July 15 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Bird Watcher
I don't read much. This was good and said what I feel like sometimes and it made me feel better about it.

Published on July 12 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Bird Watcher
Mind-Blowing! and humbling! - an amazing but very readable book

Published on July 11 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Bird Watcher
I will never again say to anyone 'pull yourself together'. The writer explains so clearly what mental illness is like that you can almost feel it. Read more

Published on July 9 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars The Naked Bird Watcher
An articulate and powerful account, this book gives a vivid account of the pain that is mental illness - she hits the nail on the head in the way she describes it. Read more

Published on Jun 22 2003

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