[.uk] The Burden of Sympathy: How Families Cope With Mental ...

an amazing book:
This is the first book I've read that describes my experiences of living with mentally ill family members so precisely. It is a must read for anyone living with or caring for a mentally ill loved one. David Karp has tapped into a secret well of pain and love and compassion that needs to be brought to the collective consciousness of our society.

A Helpful Guide:
Sociologist David Karp shares the insights gleaned from over 60 interviews of those who have loved ones suffering from the ravages of mental illness. He pieces together excerpts of these interviews to illustrate the different ways mental illness affects the lives of families and friends. Those interviewed share how they attempt to cope with such issues as personal feelings of guilt, the societal stygma associated with mental illness, and the frustration of dealing with a bureaucracy that is not always responsive. At the core of many of the interviews is a redeeming theme of hope. Karp's thesis is that the moral boundaries of caregiving necessarily shift as the mental illness emerges over time, and that it is imperative to balance the needs of the mentally ill person with the needs of those who provide care and support. Karp reminds readers of the 4 C's: (1) I did not cause it, (2) I cannot cure it, (3) I cannot control it, (4) all I can do is cope with it.

Well Done:
If you're looking to understand how to think about a friend or a loved one with major drug resistant depression or other mental health issues, you should read and refer to this work often. It provides insight on how to help with an appropriate outlook and attitude. Nicely done.

very helpful:
The stories from those caregivers who have lived in the trenches is most helpful and provide information in dealing with it. Very good

Mental Illness Revealed:
The Burden of Sympathy is one of the most useful books I have read on exactly what mental illness is and how we as family members can learn to understand it, and help our loved ones to understand how to cope with the illness. It can be very confusing and frightening to hear a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This book will help take some of the fear away as well as give support to families struggling with how to best live with the loved one who hasn't yet accepted the illness or is actively fightly treatment. I highly recommend it!