Growing Up with a Schizophrenic Mother

by Margaret J. Brown, Doris Parker Roberts

An estimated two to three million people in the United States today were raised by a schizophrenic parent. Brown and Roberts offer a unique book based on interviews with over forty adult children of mothers diagnosed as schizophrenic. Such topics as the isolation their family felt, their chaotic home environments, their present relationships with their mothers, and the lost potential of mother and child are covered. Their stories are fascinating and provide important information to both the mental health community and the lay public. The offspring have been described as having higher rates of "increased aggressivity" and "sibling conflict," but often their circumstances strengthened these children and contributed to artistic and creative talents, resiliency, and high achievements.

The authors provide an overview of schizophrenia, behaviors of the affected parent, and the marital relationship of the patient and her non-schizophrenic spouse. As adults, the respondents now share their grievances about the psychological community--what they needed and did not get. Brown and Roberts then present suggestions for treatment of affected children aimed at psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and health care providers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not words to express how much I loved this book. My copy is stained with tears that dripped off my chin as I read and related to the anecdotes.

Wouldn't it have been easier had we been told as children what was going on? Easier, but impossible since nobody knew much about schizophrenia back in the day. Since we cannot go back and change what has been, we can at least read this amazing book filled with research, stories, and advice.

If you've ever known anybody with schizophrenia I urge you to read this book. Then, buy a bunch of copies and give it to anybody whose grown up with schizophrenic mothers!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived this life, this book is the best I have ever read that covers the struggles in depth of children living with schizophrenic moms. Survivors jumped out of their comfort zone to bring a public awareness of what a child experiences emotionally and physically in all aspects of their childhood. Hats off to the Margaret Brown for taking the time to understand this illness and crediting the survivors. The survivors walked a long road full of potholes and survived with scars but they will carry what they have learned to all that will listen. Margaret thanks for depicting these survivors with the rainbows they deserved.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who grew up with a mother having schizophrenia. The book offers some helpful advice and stories that remind you you're not alone. I especially appreciate the empathy and compassion the author has for the mothers that fell victim to this terrible disease.

[Penelope Przekop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not yet finished this book but I love it. I'm just reading and crying, reading and crying ... wishing I could call my brother, who died (suicide) in 2012. I'm so proud of all my accomplishments, and feel so blessed now. However, just the idea that other kids felt like us makes me so sad, and yet so understood, all at once. It's overwhelming. Message me if I'm talking to you. Maybe we can start a book group. The past can't be changed but we can learn to be more expressive. I've come soooo far, over many years! I'm scared now because I wrote about this in my new book that's launching in November. I no longer have a sibling. It would be nice to know someone else who read this book and recognized their own childhood ... all those years, trying to make sense out of madness, not knowing how, and feeling less-than, putting on a good face. I could go on and on. Instead, I will go get one of my husband's awesome hugs. Just want to say that I love every single person who felt the need, or had the desire, to read this book. Thank you to the authors for giving me the courage to write this.

[Aisyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with similar experience, I am delighted to have read this book, which gave me tremendous help to understand my own position as a child living with mother who suffered from schizophrenia. This book provided me in a therapeutic way of understanding my own experience as the caregiver, right from living the experiences, growing up, to then being the person who constantly reaching for solutions through therapy. This book also give good number of cases from different areas of perspectives and perceptions of the caregivers, so that we could understand what was the situation like being in the place of "the caregiver".

[Julene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this book twice, the first time I bought it, at great expense, and then let it go. Next, I got it on inter-library loan after it was referred. Not a very compelling read, but has some good information.

[Melissa Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up with a schizophrenic mother, this book is essential reading. I can't believe they didn't study us until the 1990s! And so much work is yet to be done, & still so many resources that should be available for children are (still!) not. How do we change that? We can start by confronting our past. Maybe if we can face it we can join forces & look forward together.

I had to be ready to confront it all when I read this, & it still was not easy. Take your time with it. So much was triggered; I had to take breaks. Yet so much was explained, too. This book is for EVERYONE who has a schizophrenic mother, yet it was extremely productive for me to read it after having many years away from my very difficult home situation. As the book explains, it's difficult to heal & reflect if you are still in the midst of the storm. I'm thankful that I've had years to build my own life, away from the trauma.

But even if you are still in the midst of the trauma, consider reading this book - it will help you to feel less alone.

This book is like fire - it will warm you to feel less alone, but it may also burn you - take breaks & take care of yourself. For me, it triggered a memory of a very specific FEELING.

It's not easy to face the truth, especially when you've lived your life in the shadows/shame of mental illness, but if you are open to growth, this book will change your life.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for anyone who has loved someone suffering from Schizophrenia, particularly in your immediate family. Highly recommend!

Stephanie

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of a kind book on the subject.