Breakdown Lane, Traveled: An Anthology of Writings on Madness - Softcover

Greene, Julie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1403307784 ISBN 13: 9781403307781

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2002

Synopsis

Imagine: You are twenty-two, a promising music student, when you begin to notice strange, disturbing phenomena, such as a sudden obsession with body weight and the presence of 'Martians' who periodically interrupt your work. After a few months, the Martians have taken over, and keeping up with assignments becomes increasingly difficult.This is the story of Julie Greene, who finally sought help in the mental health system to rid her symptoms. After dropping out of school one semester before graduation, her condition worsened as she got more and more immersed in her illness and the mental health system that was supposed to help her.Through personal essays, fiction, and memoir excerpts, Julie shares her unusual life with its joys and sorrows, her eighteen-year battle with severe mental illness, and her sudden recovery at age forty. 'I can't take my recovery for granted,' Julie says. 'I am happy. I am strong. Every day is a miracle. But I will never forget where I'm coming from.'Read Breakdown Lane, Traveled and you will gain a new view of mental illness, a greater understanding of those who suffer, and a lasting impression of the human condition as seen through one woman's amazing life.

About this title

About the Author

Julie Greene seemed like a bright, happy child to her parents and teachers, but into adulthood, she entered into a horrific, long-term battle with serious mental illness. During this time, she struggled within the walls illness imposed on her, and believed she would never recover.But after eighteen years of suffering, Greene emerged whole, in 1998 at the age of forty. 'Here,' she says, 'life began.'With this book, Greene hopes to illustrate to those who are unfamiliar with mental illness what really happens in the mini-world of madness. For those who've had experiences with mental illness, or has a family member who is ill, Greene hopes to provide comfort and hope - and laughter.Greene was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. She attended the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Bennington College, and Emerson College. Greene is an experienced writer and also an accomplished composer of music. She currently lives in Watertown, Massachusetts, with her dog, Tiger.

About this edition

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1403307784
• ISBN 13: 9781403307781
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 276