A Mental Note

A Mental Note is a novel based on the life and times of a man who suffers from a mental illness. Will, who has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, tells his story about living with this illness, focusing mainly on specific periods and events relating to this condition, and the reasons for it. He describes life before becoming unwell, the diagnosis and treatment, as well as other incidents. These are all included to show how Will's life developed during his ordeal. Although most of the book is factual, some areas have been dramatised to bring the story to life. Also, many of the fictional passages have been included to give a sense of the nature of the illness and the thought process that goes with it. For example, a schizophrenic can create his or her own deluded perception of reality that, although it isn't real, seems perfectly believable to the sufferer.

The book is comical in places, and some of the fun in the book is designed to show that even when suffering from a mental illness, it is still possible to have a good time, and enjoy oneself. I have tried to focus mainly on the good experiences for this reason, but I have also referred to the darker sides of the illness so that people in similar situations can possibly relate to them. Hopefully this may give others a bit of an insight into living with the disease, and its harrowing effects.

I hope this book will be of considerable interest to anyone who either suffers from, or is involved with someone who suffers from, any similar mental health problems. I also think that it makes for a stimulating, insightful and humorous read for a wide range of other people concerned with such issues. Finally, because of some of the geographical locations in the book (especially references to Shrewsbury), I think people from those areas mentioned would enjoy reading this book too.