Description

The Seen But Forgotten has been written based on nearly twenty years of personal experience of mental illness, 'schizoaffective disorder', as well as on many of my observations and other ideas, and related research on mental illness. It is based also on my observations of many of my friends and associates with mental illness, over the years, and their stories and experiences relayed to me. It describes some insights into some of the thoughts and feelings one can experience in certain states of mental illness. It also offers an overview of both known and other hypothetical considerations of some of the possible causes of mental illness; and includes some consideration of the medical model of the more current psychiatric practice of 'chemical drug therapy'. The dangers and error of this practice is emphasized, and exposed are some of the serious and early death-inducing side-effects of most anti-psychotic medications, the dangers associated with the misuse of benzodiazepines, and why there is a need for more research in new directions in order for psychiatrists, researchers and drug companies to come up with safer treatments.

Also discussed within my book are some suggestions for mental health consumers, carers and mental health workers about ways for one who is suffering from mental distress or illness to try to help oneself and relieve some of their suffering, apart from relying solely on medication. It also includes a section about recovery, entitled: 'The Hope for Recovery'; as well as the topic of recovery being discussed throughout other sections of the book; including suggestions made in the section entitled: 'Conclusion'. Particular references are made here to some ideas related to recovery and schizophrenia, and which have helped me tremendously in my journey of getting well and more highly functioning again, as I was prior to the onset of my condition.

The topic of 'Spirituality' as the missing link in psychiatry is introduced briefly in a summary way in an Appendix; and makes reference to some of the work of other people, including Jeremy Griffith and the Dalai Lama. The topic introduced in this section is considered as a whole part in itself of too broad a scope to be discussed in too much detail, given our differing ideas and spiritual beliefs or leanings; and is not the main argument or purpose of my book. Thus, it has been introduced in this way, as well as by suggestions in the sections: 'The Hope for Recovery' and 'Conclusion'; in the hope of encouraging further thought and consideration by the reader.