The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness Paperback – 12 Aug. 2008

Elyn Saks has written a beautiful , moving and astonishing account of living with a mental illness. I was blown away by her immense courage, versatility and spirit. At times, I felt so angry on her behalf about the way she was treated by mental health professionals, especially with regard to the cruel and repressive treatment that was employed during her two admissions to American psychiatric hospitals. I was absolutely appalled by her description. I wasn't very impressed by the treatment she received in the UK system either, but at least it was not brutal. And yet, despite all this, and also three life threatening physical illnesses, Elyn has not just survived, but thrived. Her achievements are phenomenal and I was impressed by the way she has used her intelligence and legal abilities to improve the American mental health system for others. Elyn also describes some of the many friends she has made, and she is clearly a wonderful person who inspires others. I was so glad the book ended with an account of happiness and fulfilment on all levels. I would recommend this book to anyone, and particularly to psychiatrists and therapists. The act of writing this inspiring book was one of enormous courage. Towards the end a psychiatrist asks: Elyn, do you want to become known as the schizophrenic with a job? I would say this is the wrong question. To me, Elyn Saks is an amazing person and law professor who also happens to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, who has still achieved a phenomenal amount and made the world a better place through her work and through her presence.

Having no knowledge of schizophrenia beyond what is depicted in the media, this was enlightening. And just in general, a very enjoyable read.

From my experience, books written on the subject of Schizophrenia are well worth reading. I have suffered for ten years with the illness and so was on the search for a book that could be helpful to me. Elyn R. Saks manages to cover the beginnings and ongoing suffering in such a professional manner that this book crosses into the arena of the best seller. It is insightful, simply told and at times totally shocking. I consider this to be the best and most useful books on the subject and would recommend it to anyone who would be interested in a seriously good read.

Cracking book, really amazing. Taught me a lot about schizophrenia that I wasn’t finding in accounts from third parties.Only reservation would be the absence of any serious meditation on the family and childhood context. It seems like she had a particularly frightening encounter with authority apparatuses and it isn’t really addressed as a potential animus in the struggle.Apart from that, I really did get a lot out of this book, and I am very grateful to the author for it. Brave and fascinating, consistently sensitive and open. Would absolutely recommend to anyone

A powerful and insightful autobiography. Provides the reader with an honest, candid insight into the emotional trauma of living with mental health issues and the daily battle to hide it from the world. Holds no punches describing the writer's decline into psychosis and the shocking treatment she receives in response to her earlier 'episodes', whilst also addressing her refusal to accept the severity of her condition/total dependency on medication to function in society. Powerful stuff - left me with a desire to find out more about mental health issues!

I found this book really readable, and had the utmost admiration for the writer who, although clearly affected by the symptoms of her illness, didn't allow it to define her or stop her from doing what she wanted to do with her life.

As a psychiatrist I found this book fantastic. It's very well written and has allowed me a deeper and fresh understanding of what it is like to have this illness. It's given me a new sense of hope that this illness can be survived and the sufferer can live a for filling academically challenging life. I really never thought this was possible, let alone on 600mg of clozapine. I am so impressed and mightily inspired. I hope that I will be able to convey more hope to other sufferers and not the bleak message that gets often unwittingly transmitted that 'all is lost'

Excellent, thorough contribution to those who have had, or would like an insight to, experiences of mental illness. As someone who has battled depression and read numerous accounts of fellow sufferers, i've found Saks' the most enjoyable and comforting.

I chose this book as an example for my tesi (not sure of what the translation might be), but i could not even imagine how important it might have become for me. It was an incredibile journey, i cried and i was filled with joy for every beautiful and well deserved happiness she encontuer. I will love to write about her book, i will encourage my friend and collegues to read it, and i m sure i will think about a lot about it in my life. I am gratefull for the decision to write down the details about her journey because i think is the most effective way to, at least, start to understand how hard it might be and how much stigma there is to overcome. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

By far the best book. I‘ve ever read. A very touching and relatable story about living with an mental illness. A must read for any schizophrenic out there.

Modifica a visão do senso comum de doenças mentais.

One of the best books i have read on the subjet. Elyn is an exceptional writer and storyteller. I highly reccomemd this book to anyone wanting to better understand mental illness.

Insightful look into the mind of a schizophrenic