I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help!: Amazon.ca: Xavier Amador, Anna-Lica, Ph.D. Johanson: Books

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I strongly recommend this to families and therapists of seriously mentally ill patients. -- AARON T. BECK, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry

The focus throughout is on building mutual understanding and trust, so involuntary treatment can be avoided,if possible. -- LAURIE FLYNN, Executive Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

This book fills a tremendous void in the literature on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. -- E. FULLER TORREY, M.D., Director of the Stanley Foundation Research Programs on Schizophrenia and Manic-Depression;Author of Surviving Schizophrenia.

Book Description

About 50% of all people with schizophrenia and manic-depression do not understand that they are ill and refuse treatment.

Whether you are a family member or a therapist, in this book you will find hope in what the new research is revealing about the problem of poor insight into illness.

Prepare to be surprised and to have new hope. There is much you can do to conquer denial.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
This book is divided into four sections. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars the target audience, May 26 2003

By

Lilith (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! (Paperback)

Not all people will know how to use the humanistic approach when helping ill family members; this book introduces it as a more effective way of handling a situation. Amador's book is written in a way that is comprehensive to any person going through such an event. The author's personal experience with his brother and as a therapist create an empathetic tone that makes the book relatable.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all, April 6 2003

By

Carla Jacobs (Orange, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! (Paperback)

The title says it all. As an advocate for people with mental illness, daily I get calls from family members asking, "Why won't my loved one accept--seek--help." Amador's book answers that question: Because the person is suffering from a brain disorder, they think, "I'm not sick; I don't need help."

Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are brain disorders. As such, they may impact the person's ability to make viable judgement about treatment and, in many cases, even preclude the victim of the illness from recognizing they have a treatable medical condition. And, if you do not think you are ill, why would anyone accept treatment?

Amador's book explains in layman's terms the aspects of mental illness known as "lack of insight". At one time, lack of insight was considered to be the results of stigma, and indeed there is stigma surrounding mental illness. Today, science recognizes in some people lack of insight is the result of brain dysfunction itself. Simply put, the brain can recognize when the leg is broken, but the leg cannot take over for the computer of the body and recognize when the brain is not functioning correctly.

Amador does not stop with the explainations. Instead, he gives easy to follow advice on how to help someone you love with amental illness who does not recognize his/her own need for treatment. This book is a bible and a tutorial for people trying to help their very ill relative.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Where has this book been hiding?, Mar 18 2003

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"bobwain" - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help! (Paperback)

Be sure to read all the reviews posted here. Take all the 5 star reviews, add them together, and you will begin to have a feel for what I thought of this book. I learned a lot of things I needed to know but hadn't (leaving me to wonder why aren't all mental health professionals knowledgable about the new research and trained in the type of therapies written about in this book?), and the advice Dr. Amador gives worked. Thank you!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For Early Intervention
Dr. Amador's book is a must for any family who is experiencing their first encounter with schizophrenia. Read more

Published on May 30 2004 by Lucille

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Little Information Actually Offered
This is really a poor book and I'm sorry I wasted the money on it, for this main reason: there is really very little information to be gleaned from it. Read more

Published on Jan 15 2004