Eva Lohmann describes the eight weeks she spent in a closed psychiatric ward. It's not an autobiography, but it is based on her own experience.
Mind, a UK mental health charity, is trying to de-stigmatize mental health conditions. According to statistics 1 in 4 people experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. And even though so many are affected, it's still a taboo topic. The book touches on a number of different issues people are faced with - from eating disorders to depression and multiple personality disorder. It explains the difficult and lengthy path to even getting to the point to acknowledge that there is a problem. And to then take the necessary measures to tackle the issue. How hard it is to work on these issues, how difficult it is for those around the people who are affected.Reading the book, I thought how valuable it is/would be to have a therapist, somebody who listens to you 'professionally' and who gives guidance. At the same time, I suppose it can be hard work to find the right therapist for you, somebody you can actually trust. I remember a friend going to a therapist for a while. It turned out that she didn't even mention one of the big issues she was facing at the time. Not sure whether it was out of embarrassment or anxiety. But if you don't talk about it - whether with a therapist or a friend - you won't get any help.
A very interesting read and I would highly recommend it. I don't think it's translated into English (yet) though.
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