In the late 1950s the psychiatrist R.D.Laing and psychoanalyst Aaron Esterson spent five years interviewing eleven families of female patients diagnosed as 'schizophrenic'. Sanity, Madness and the Family is the result of their work. Eleven vivid case studies, often dramatic and disturbing, reveal patterns of affection and fear, manipulation and indifference within the family. But it was the conclusions they drew from their research that caused such controversy: they suggest that s...

The first love in our lives is our mother. Recognizing her face, her voice, the meaning of her moods, and her facial expressions is crucial to survival. Dr. Christine Ann Lawson vividly describes how mothers who suffer from borderline personality disorder produce children who may flounder in life even as adults, futilely struggling to reach the safety of a parental harbor, unable to recognize that their borderline parent lacks a pier, or even a discernible shore. Four character profiles de...

From bestselling author and teacher Mary Maccracken comes the engaging and inspiring story of five troubled children who she fought to bring back from the brinkJoey is the class clown, but alone proves to be an intensely dark seven-year old who still can’t read.Eric is a kindergartener, left withdrawn and speechless by the horrors he’s witnessed at home.Alice appears the model fifth year child, but secretly scores zero on every maths test.Charlie, an eight-year...

**THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NBC SERIES BRILLIANT MINDS • In his most extraordinary book, the bestselling author of Awakenings and "poet laureate of medicine” (The New York Times) recounts the case histories of patients inhabiting the compelling world of neurological disorders, from those who are no longer able to recognize common objects to those who gain extraordinary new skills.“Oliver Sacks has become the world's best-known neurologist. His case studies ...

An extraordinary book for anyone eager to understand the hidden motives that shape our lives.We are all storytellers—we create stories to make sense of our lives. A moving collection of short, personal encounters between a psychoanalyst and his patients, The Examined Life reveals how the art of insight can illuminate the most complicated, confounding, and human of experiences. Ultimately, these stories show us not only how we love ourselves but how we migh...

In this classic study of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a distinguished psychiatrist offers hope and help for those suffering from mental illness, suggesting pathways forward through behavioral therapies and mediation.Drawing on the extraordinary experiences of her patients, Dr. Judith Rapoport unravels the mysteries surrounding OCD, an emotionally crippling affliction that affects millions of Americans. The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing follows Dr. ...

**These “moving and often surprising” (The Wall Street Journal) case histories meld science and storytelling to show that caregivers don’t just witness cognitive decline in their loved ones with dementia—they are its invisible victims.“This book will forever change the way we see people with dementia disorders—and the people who care for them.”—Lori Gottlieb, author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone**A BBC BOOK OF THE WEEK • A TELEGRAPH ...

Meet Hannah - a young girl with selective mutism (SM). Hannah invites readers to learn about selective mutism from her perspective, helping them to understand what it is, what it feels like to have SM, and how they can help. This illustrated book is packed with accessible information and will be an ideal introduction to selective mutism. It shows family, friends and teachers how they can support a child with the condition and is also a good place to start when encouraging children with SM ...

In this modern classic, bestselling author and educator Mem Fox explores the power and impact that reading aloud to our children can have—on literacy, development, confidence and connection. She explains the benefits and processes of reading, offers practical guidance and tackles enduring controversies from phonics to television.Mem Fox is a retired Associate Professor of Literacy Studies from Flinders University and the author of over 40 books. Her first book, illustrate...

REASONS AND REMEDIES is a highly readable, ground-breaking approach to children’s difficulties. It is based on the consistent clinical findings and revelations of an experienced Speech and Language Therapist / Pathologist and takes the reader on a journey of discovery.It is a book written to help both parents, and professionals working with children, to understand how and why difficulties develop. It explains whylabels are limiting. Dyslexia, autism, stamm...

A remarkably honest and chilling account of the anxiety and darkness that descends on a family when one of its members becomes a victim of anorexia. A must read for all families ‘Anna was making me eat myself from the inside out’ ‘A true story that will evoke a strong emotional response amongst all members of a family that has a child or sibling tormented by Anorexia Nervosa.’ ‘As real as it gets. No stone is left unturned as Grace Summer exposes the deep feelings of a mother and daughter ...

"Entertaining and thought-provoking…Byrne’s enthusiasm for her esoteric subject is contagious, damn it." —Melissa Dahl, New York Times Book ReviewIn this sparkling debut work of popular science, Emma Byrne examines the latest research to show how swearing can be good for you. She explores every angle of swearing—why we do it, how we do it, and what it tells us about ourselves. Packed with the results of unlikely and often hilarious scientific studies—from ...