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Books
From both patient and carer a rare insight into mental illness ‘The Naked Bird Watcher’ by Suzy Johnston from the back cover ‘This is a personal, poignant and poetic story of Recovery. Suzy teaches us about determination, patience and perseverance. She inspires people to continue living their lives while learning to manage a mental illness.’ ‘Reading Suzy Johnston’s book I was left feeling moved by the openness and warmth of her account – Inspiring stuff!’ ‘Since Ms Johnston’s primary goal was to help others gain an insight into mental illness and combat stigma, and at the same time help those who might have felt alone and unique in their distress, for that very good reason alone the book is worth its weight in gold’.
I play guitar in a band, enjoy reading and smoking an occasional cigarette. I like hanging out with my friends and have a tendency to fall off bikes. I also happen to have manic depression. Bollocks! My life is made up of many facets and whilst manic depression is a major influence, it is still only a part of me. True, there are times when life feels bleak and hopeless, but I have learned over the years, with the help of those around me – professionals, family and friends – that even when I doubt it most, there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Hope is a valuable word and hey – this is MY life and I intend to live it! That’s all any of us can do. So I will continue to play my guitar, see my friends and deal with a condition that has shaped my personality; teaching me how important it is to value the good in life.
Foreword It was in 2003 whilst he was Policy and Information Manager of the Scottish Association for Mental Health and editor of its magazine, ‘The Point’ that Simon Bradstreet wrote: Accomplished athlete, recording artist, published author and manic depressive – Suzy Johnston isn’t ashamed of any of her labels. In this candid and honest description of one person’s experience of living a full and varied life at the same time as coping with a serious mental health, what continuously shines through is the author’s consistently positive outlook and her refusal to be ashamed of losing what she described as ‘the battle of percentages’ in developing manic depression. In an engaging, informative and often amusing biography the author details the early onset of depression as a teenager but concentrates primarily on her university days, spent in St Andrews and lived in typical ‘work hard – play harder’ student mode, interspersed with periods of disrupted study, relationship problems and psychiatric assessment Coping variously with paranoia, hallucinations, suicidal feelings, debilitating side-effects and the pressure of maintaining social contacts as her inner turmoil increased, she describes the experience of depression as ‘a dark thread winding itself tighter and tighter’. After seeing a psychiatrist for three years with no diagnosis, the need to know won over the fear of the psychiatric label and, after a few visits to the library, it started to seem likely that manic depression was the problem. Confused and scared she secretly turned to self-harming, describing the pain of that first cut as a ‘revelation….smashing its ways through the thick wall of Perspex which had built up around her.’ Clearly a sociable and outgoing person the author’s spirit is always apparent. Whenever the story reaches a low point, following the ups and downs of the bipolar experience, there is often a funny anecdote around the corner. It is the author’s ability to keep laughing in the face of adversity that marks this book out. Having graduated and started a teacher-training course she is stunned when a new GP suggests spending a few days in hospital on a voluntary basis, the first of a number of admissions to the then newly opened Christie Ward at the Vale of Leven Hospital –a caring environment that she goes out of her way to praise. This was clearly a difficult decision to make at a time when she says it would be taxing to choose between two types of ice cream.
One of Suzy’s aims in writing this book is to help challenge the mindless and enduring stigma associated with mental health problems, pointing out that people who battle with mental health problems are worthy of applause rather than be discussed in embarrassed tones – as she puts it: ‘bollocks to that!’ With a determined spirit and a forthright attitude Suzy Johnston is an example to everyone struggling to live with, or understand, serious mental health problems. One warning – don’t cross her. Just ask former Scotland goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson! Simon Bradstreet, Network Director, Scottish Recovery Network Sample reviews Celebvilles’ debauched tales of depression and pill popping are as much a contemporary fashion attaché as the latest Louis Vuitton accessory. The Elizabeth Wurtzel era is over and General Joe Public’s woeful tales of angst are demoted to the bottom of the pop culture pile. Suzy Johnston’s autobiography succeeds in redressing the balance. ‘The Naked Bird Watcher’ is a touchingly effective portrait of one woman’s journey through the purgatory of manic depression. The confessional first person narrative positively sidesteps the formulaic maxims inherent in the genre. And unlike her peers compositions (see Wurtzel’s ‘Prozac Nation’) Johnston doesn’t rely on the seductiveness of her environs to tell her story. Rather, she focuses simply on the strength and socio-political aspect of the story itself. Refreshingly, her emphasis is on the hope, ‘the light’ that she aspires to rather than the self-destruction caused by her illness. A provocative read. Having now completed ‘The Naked Bird Watcher’ I feel even more moved to putting my thoughts on paper than I did after the first few chapters. Full of vivid imagery, amazing scene-setting and an excellent flow of words, the book compels the reader to follow you, Suzy, on an extraordinary journey through a life which, so far, has placed you in many heart-rendering, exciting, dangerous, terrifying, amusing and, to me the lay person, quite impossible situations. Yet, with the help and support of your family and, of course, the experts you have triumphed. The fact that you have written this amazing book speaks volumes for your determination to overcome problems, to help others with their problems and to offer to the professional bodies, your personal insight and the way forward in diagnosing and alleviating the pain and suffering of mental illness. I feel sure that the many persons represented in the book will react in different ways, but I fervently hope that the majority of them will see it as a masterpiece, written from the heart. I bought your book some time ago, but it has taken me some time to read it all. Partly, I found that I could not read your book non-stop because it was too painful to take in and to absorb. It’s a fantastic record, written so clearly and with such honesty that it does not make for easy reading, at least not for to me as I have been very involved with the Samaritans and was responsible for establishing the correspondence branch which tried to offer support through letters. And I think that the latter was to me so close to what you have been through. Being an old codger of the old school – would you expect anything from an old ‘headie’ your language was so right and so appropriate. It certainly gave colour to your story. I found your story very moving, at times almost too moving and it was, I think, an extraordinary account of your journey through depression. At the same time it was also very encouraging that you were able to get help, not just with medication, but in the very personal support that you got from doctors, nurses and the Christie Ward. There is so much in the NHS that gets abuse, it is good to hear of something positive. I do hope that you will continue with your writing and working with young people as well as on behalf of all those who suffer with depression. It is so important for everyone to understand that mental illness is no different from any other illness and deserves the same sympathy and understanding. It is also important that they understand that there is help available and that it can be treated and that the outcome is hopeful. Again thank you for what you have written: it was a very brave but a very important contribution to the understanding of a very serious condition. I have just finished reading your book. It had quite an effect on me and I felt I had to write to you to say how much I appreciated it. I too have suffered from mental illness and although my experiences are different from yours I can sympathise with all your different range of emotions. I loved the humour in it. It is about time that mental illness was given more airing and encouraging people to feel less scared in talking about it. Thank you for doing that. Too often writers approach mental illness from the outside, this is one of the rare books which puts you in the shoes of the person experiencing mental distress. Suzy literally takes you along in the terrifying descent into the dark, murky world of mental illness in which she found herself, unaware ad unprepared for what was happening to her. With vivid descriptions, you join her as she realizes ‘that something, somehow was horribly wrong’. You are there as she suffers the apathy ad dullness her life is becoming, too paralyzed to care. In what otherwise would be a typical collegiate experience: meeting new friends, partying late into the night, competing with the Hockey Club, learning guitar and joining a local band…..Suzy faced the added confusion of dealing with an insidious illness which was slowly turning her life inside out, yet elusively escaped being pinned down and understood. She writes of experiences with doctors unsure or unable to give a diagnosis and hospitalisation. You experience her initial fear of hospital admission yet you also experience the first steps on the road to her recovery. Overall, the care she received was excellent and really established the fundamental steps for her on-going recovery and provided her with the tools to cope and manage the symptoms of her condition. She learned to recognise the signs that she needs help and how to get it. This positive aspect of her account is one of the true strengths of the book. There is a model for success here which many can learn from, yet there is still valuable constructive suggestions which come from her own experience. The book is an easy read and one you will not forget. It will give you a new degree of compassion, respect and understanding for the brave souls who deal with mental illness. Her honest and moving account of her struggles and progress serves as an inspiration to the rest of us and will undoubtedly help many who suffer from the devastating symptoms of mental illness as well as those who love and help them when they need it. Suzy Johnston writes in an easy style with good humour and an incredible ability to both convey her innermost feelings in these experiences and an impartial view of what happened to her – it is that unique ability that sets her and her writing apart. Knowledge and understanding are essential in the destigmatization of people suffering from mental illness. The Naked Bird Watcher is a valuable contribution towards this goal. With admirable honesty Suzy Johnston brings the reader knowledge of a severe mental illness and its costs. At the same time she manages to pass on the seldom heard voice that is both sense and optimism. I strongly recommend this book to patients, their relatives and not least to the professionals who work with mental illness. ‘The Naked Bird Watcher’ ISBN 0954809203 is available from book shops, internet book sites or from The Cairn www.thecairn.com price £12 (includes packaging and postage)
by Jean Johnston From the back cover Being straightforward and upfront, Jean Johnston was by her own admission ‘something of a psychiatric virgin’ when her daughter started developing manic depression/bipolar disorder. She gives a revealing insight into her role as the carer and how she felt as they embarked on the remarkable and extraordinary journey that would lead to her daughter’s eventual recovery. Jean Johnston’s reassuring words provide comfort and guidance to all carers. Her simple words of wisdom in dealing with mental illness and the situations we might find ourselves in will be an indispensable ally. She writes of the uniqueness of every patient, of the complexities of treatment, medications, of the fundamental keys to recovery and of carers’ sensitivity and communication skills to help while they are walking on eggshells. Doug Huskey, care giver, California, USA. This is a priceless account of the agony, shock, love and stamina of a mother facing her child’s mental illness. Easy to read and clearly sincere it is uncontrived and altogether memorable. A refreshingly sensible and emotionally riveting story from an intelligent lady who is blessed with the unusual combination of modesty, insight and an energetic desire to ease mental suffering. ‘To Walk on Eggshells’ ISBN o 9548092 1 1 is available from , bookshops, internet book sites or from The Cairn - (price £10.00 includes postage and packaging) - is to care for a mental illness Foreword I first came across Jean when, in a previous job, I started getting phone calls from someone in Helensburgh who appeared to be running an effective campaign to maintain psychiatric services in her area. She seemed to have access to national and local press, high profile supporters, good sources of information and the ear of decision makers and policy bods. When she asked me what she should do I was, not surprisingly, a bit stumped. Jean’s determination, drive and energy are matched only by her incredible modesty – she’s often described herself as ‘just little me’ or ‘no expert’. Well the truth is that she is an expert and someone who should be (and is) taken very seriously. She is someone who understands the reality of caring for a person who is experiencing serious mental health difficulties, an able campaigner passionately committed to the importance of high quality treatment services but still recognising the importance of improving awareness of mental health across the whole of society. Simon Bradstreet, This is a priceless account of the agony, shock, love and stamina of a mother faced with a child who has been dealt the unkind hand of severe mental illness. Easy to read, clearly sincere and uncontrived it is altogether memorable. Her feelings are described with endearing honesty and simplicity, over the space of several years and through the various stages of her daughter’s illness and recovery. Her early feelings of utter uselessness are so real and understandable, the only solace coming from basic mothering activities such as ironing her daughter’s pyjamas on the eve of being admitted to a psychiatric unit. Hopefully when my husband has finished reading your book, Jean, he too will have a better understanding as to what he has dealt with for a long time now. You both have definitely taught me a lot more about my depression that any doctor has done so in the past. Thank you again, you have brought the smile back to my face.
‘To Walk on Eggshells’ by Jean Johnston, The Cairn,  |
news... Suzy Johnston Nobody could describe or write about mental illness any better – she is spot on when it comes to telling what it is like. But people must listen to her – she is so wise about what is needed – and how it should be. Tricia Bignall, Service user, Argyll and Bute.
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New - The Naked Bird Watcher’s introduction 
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