My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward

"❤️"

"Wow. Words can't describe my feelings towards this book. All I can say is that I couldn't put it down. This memoir was beautifully written and absolutely tore me apart. This novel provides a perfect example that life isn't as perfect as it may seem. <br/><br/>Mark and Giulia had the perfect romance stemming from the young age of 18. Unexpectedly, life turns upside down when Giulia enters into a serious period of psychosis and depression. This novel perfectly depicts the role of the caregiver for someone who is struggling with mental illness. <br/><br/>"One night as I approached Giulia's room, she saw me and collapsed on her bed chanting, 'Volglio morire, volglio morire, volglio morire'. I want to die, I want to die, I want to die. [...] I'm not sure what scared me more: listening to my wife scream her death wish or whisper it." <br/><br/>As a mental health worker, this is a great example of showing the public that illness isn't always physical. It opens the minds of those less informed and slaps negative stigma in its face. This is a MUST read. I am in awe. If I could give this novel 10 stars, I would give it 15."

"It was so raw and moving. I can't believe how much these two love each other. An eye opener to true love till death do they part. A glimpse at mental health and its boundaries. I couldn't put this book down."

"This book is a little challenging for me to review. Every family's experience of struggling with mental illness is unique. I read this book, struggling with myself not to judge the writer, and to keep an open mind to learning about what his experiences were and what insights they brought to him and his family. In the best moments, I was able to see his frustrations and reflect on ways the law and mental health care still have ways to go. But, then there was much of the rest of the book. I don't want to diminish his pain, fear, and loss; however, there were so many strengths present that just seemed glossed over or taken for granted. Unfortunately, without acknowledging the privileges, resources, and strengths he had at hand, sometimes he comes across whiney. So many with mental illness have little family supports, financial resources, or insurance. Many end up homeless and alone. So many families lack support. He was able to have a therapist, had family flying out to help, friends offering assistance, the ability to take four months off to travel and reflect, days of surfing. While I'm not sure the family was happy to have her in the hospital so long, his wife had month-long stays in the hospital at a time when many on Medi-Cal or Medicaid were and are afforded brief inpatient stays of 5-7 days (and that's considered long), and are discharged symptomatic and often needing further stabilization. I appreciate the honesty of the author, but I feel like there are definitely better books on mental illness and Bipolar Disorder. I recommend The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn Saks or An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison."

"Have Kleenex ready. It’s an emotional rollercoaster "

"An absolutely beautiful love story, contemporary and warm; even in it's darkest chapters. ❤️ "