http://www.lybrary.com/index.php?cPath=1762 Copyright © 2010 Lybrary.comDescription<p>Suzan Arisoy has had Bi-polar Disorder for twenty years. Over the course of those years, she wrote some poems that she feels describe the essence of her experience from 'the inside out'.<p>They are published here, with some writing about each one. Suzan wanted to explain the poems, and where she was at, at the time of writing them.<p>Suzan hopes her poetry will not only resonate with people who have experienced something similar - but may help other, especially health professionals to understand what it feels like to live with Bi-polar Disorder.<p>She said, 'If what I have written helps just one person in any way - then I have made a difference. These poems mean a lot to me as they represent the blood, sweat and tears of twenty years. If that blood and sweat, and those tears help someone else in their distress then it hasn't all been for nothing. I believe that the mot positive thing to come out of this illness would be to transform the pain into a light that shines the way for someone in need - or that sheds some light on a difficult subject and changes someone's perception.'<p><br> About the Author<p>Suzan Arisoy, was born in Clapton and brought up in Tottenham and later Bethnal Green.<p>She had her first experience of Bi-polar Disorder when she was twenty - although she wasn't diagnosed until she was thirty-two and in a psychiatric unit.<p>Suzan, who is now 40, currently lives in Woodford Green, Essex with Andrew, her partner of sixteen years, her two sons Ashiq and Jordan, aged 19 and 11 respectively - and their two cats Misty and Simba.http://www.lybrary.com/bipolar-recovery-twenty-years-manic-depression-medication-p-77746.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/bipolar-recovery-twenty-years-manic-depression-medication-p-77746.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>The author's inspirational memoir is a no holds barred, vivid account, depicting the victim's experience of abuse and cruelty at the hands of a mother possessed. Nicky Fowler, adopted at birth is the family scapegoat until one day he is forced to stand up to his abuser, but he pays a heavy price. Later in life with the memory of Dolly cast aside for ever, Nicky suddenly becomes seriously ill. Misdiagnosis by RAF Doctors, cast him into a psychiatric ward to be treated for his repressed anger toward his estranged mother. Mind-changing drugs and brainwashing therapy fail to erase his determination to survive. When close to death a brain tumor is found, but whilst in hospital and semi-conscious Dolly visits him out of the blue, and Nicky confronted by his past believes he is about to die again. This moving and compelling story shows that it is possible to survive the system, and eventually find a happy life.<p>About the Author<p>Ross Martin now lives with his wife in Oxford. Adopted as a child, he was subjected to years of cruelty and abuse. At age 28, whilst serving in the RAF abroad, he became ill, unable to walk, and this was originally diagnosed by Royal Navy doctors as a tumour on the brain, but on return to base in UK, Royal Air Force doctors reversed the diagnosis and admitted him into a psychiatric unit where he remained for four months subjected to mind altering drugs and group therapy administered in an attempt at cleansing him of his inner 'hatred''. When close to death, a tumour was located and removed, but Ross now suffers permanent physical disability including related bouts of depression. Invalided from the RAF in 1976 Ross then began a career as a qualified social worker in the probation service working with offenders with mental health issues. Though recently retired, Ross still works as a freelance anger management trainer. The author's son has been in hospital 15 years, diagnosed at 25 years of age as a paranoid schizophrenic. Ross is in regular contact with him and takes him on outings where he can feel safe and free. His role as father and carer gives Ross a wide insight into the sometimes bizarre world of Mental Health.http://www.lybrary.com/mother-kill-p-77696.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/mother-kill-p-77696.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT GLBT issues such as same-sex marriage, Don't Ask Don't Tell, and hate crime legislation are at the forefront of American political discourse. This informative book investigates these topics, as well as many other issues facing the GLBT community. These hot-button topics are presented in an even-handed manner, allowing students to learn without the influence of media distortion and mixed messages.http://www.lybrary.com/glbt-teens-society-p-71920.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/glbt-teens-society-p-71920.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT GLBT teens face some dramatic challenges in their community and at school. Supportive social networks are crucial for long-term health and development. This book offers strategies for coming out to one's friends, interacting with school personnel, and dealing with bullies. Advice is also given on how to organize groups such as gay-straight alliances.http://www.lybrary.com/life-school-community-p-71919.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/life-school-community-p-71919.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT The teenage years can be a confusing time for all youth, including GLBT teens. Challenges and questions can arise that only a family support system can answer. This helpful guide teaches GLBT teens how to maintain healthy familial relationships. Strategies for coming out to parents and siblings, and how to communicate with others, as well as how to understand and react to the emotions of others are also explored.http://www.lybrary.com/home-family-relationships-p-71918.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/home-family-relationships-p-71918.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Girls and women are faced with crucial daily decisions concerning personal wellbeing and self-awareness. Relationships can be challenging, confusing, and destructive if chosen poorly. They can also be rewarding, enriching, and life-altering if chosen well. This helpful guide provides information on how to make friends, maintain intimate relationships, and how to approach challenges in a productive way.http://www.lybrary.com/relationships-21stcentury-roles-p-71900.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/relationships-21stcentury-roles-p-71900.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>With thoughtless parents, two divorces and far from good experiences with the legal services, the author has not found life easy in fact at times felt victimised and even abused.<p>But she has never let go of a sense of a relentless steel rod inside her - the thirst to learn, and belief in herself as a writer, Most of her life experiences she has fictionalised to a greater or lesser degree. Some stories are not autobiographical at all. But where she has just enjoyed following her imaginations, it has taken her down shady paths to at least the sad - sometimes sinister or very dark.<p><br> About the Author<p>Pamela spent most of her working life bringing up four children and doing casual jobs.. she took a degree in English and at a local university and then taught in Adult Education and became a Market Research Interviewer. When her work dwindled in the Recession of the 1990s, she tried for a while to run her own private Adult Education business.<p>She has always wanted to write and began in her twenties. She has broadcast her own talk on the radio, published some short stories and articles, and had prizes in a few writing competitions. Pamela lives in The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.http://www.lybrary.com/place-disconnection-tales-horror-abuse-mystery-longing-p-71789.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/place-disconnection-tales-horror-abuse-mystery-longing-p-71789.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>This is a love story about two heterosexual lovers from different social backgrounds and depicts their struggles to find a love that is more than fulfillment of their physical needs. It ventures into their emotional, poetical and metaphysical dimensions.<p>The story is set in Punjab and depicts the social conventions, cultures and life styles of the land. A clash of values between rich and poor, between conventions and freedom. It is the lovers' quest for a personal meaning to their existence. A love that defies any compromise of their convictions, even unto death.<p>About the Author<p>Durlabh Singh is a writer and an artist based in London, England.<p>He has been published widely in over 300 publications worldwide.<p><br> His other publications include: <br> Chrome Red - Collected Poems.<br> Spaces of Heart - Illustrated Verse. <br> Kama Sutra of Love - Collections of Short Stories<br> Keeper of Reflections & Other Stories.<br> In The Days of Love - Novel.<p>Throughout his life, he had to struggle against the odds. Having lost his father at very early age, he had to take up the role of head of family, being the only male member in the household. Facing all the injustices of Indian social class system where he had to provide big dowries for marrying his sisters and getting into debts.<p>The things took turn for worse when he came to England, as extreme racism was rampant there when he was constantly ridiculed and set upon by gangs of youths. Landlords refused to rent him even a room and shopkeepers refused to serve. He was subject to racial taunts in streets and at work. He suffered number of physical attacks and partially lost sight of an eye as he was beaten in a busy London street. That constant harassment eventually resulted in acute depression and a mental breakdown and as a result he was admitted to a mental hospital.<p>He took up painting and writing as a therapy and developed these arts where he could find easier to breath from constant atmosphere of suffocation. It helped him to survive and keep his mental balance, in finding transcendence and wider fields of human creativity. People suffering from mental distress may find some solace in his works.http://www.lybrary.com/days-love-p-71787.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/days-love-p-71787.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>This book is Anne's fourth for Chipmunka Publishing and in many ways one that reaches out to other people. Its aim is to encourage others who have also experienced mental health difficulties to take up new interests. Anne describes how she took to the pen and computer again, inspired by the Write Afresh Writing Group which meets in the Raynes Park area in Merton, especially for people who have had mental health issues.<p>Anne describes how she also goes to the gym and tries to keep fit with aqua classes, and took up art classes for the first time in her life. 'We can all learn new skills.' she says. Read her chapter on being a survivor. Read some of her poetry.<p>Anne hopes you will enjoy reading her book and write to her care of her publisher with your comments. She does intend to write further and would like to hear from her readers. Has this book inspired you or someone you care for to cope with their life? I hope so. It is not always easy when you have mental health issues to deal with, to engage with real life, but remember, it is your life and we need to get on with living.<p>About the Author<p>Anne Brocklesby was born in Epsom on 6th February 1951, and currently lives in the Wimbledon area where her two children Chris and Lizzie went to school. Anne is married to David, a solicitor, and he has been a great support to her during the time she was unwell. Anne currently goes to the gym to aqua classes to try and keep fit, and also earlier this year tried out some art classes, and joined a creative writing group. This creative writing group has inspired her to get her current book 'It's My Life!!' together, and she talks with great fondness of their regular weekly meetings. 'We love to hear each others' writings', she says.<p>Anne is now thinking about the future. What will it hold? In the past she has had an active life working and bringing up her children, and now there is some time to reflect on the past and plan for the future she says with interest.<p>This book is her fourth for Chipmunka Publishing and she has enjoyed every bit of getting the books together ready for publication. She hopes it will inspire others who have experienced mental health difficulties like herself, to reach out to others and to take up new interests.<p>Anne is a keen advocate of mental health promotion and hopes that you can read her book 'Let's Hang On To Mental Health - We Need To Prevent Mental Distress' which discusses this in greater detail. Mental health promotion is informing people about wellbeing, and how they can look after their mental health, with positive policies in place for the mental health of the nation. Every year on October 10th there is a world mental health day. Anne's other two books are about her journey through manic depression and the third one, the sequel, deals with 'Moving On From Depresssion'.http://www.lybrary.com/its-my-life-p-71781.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/its-my-life-p-71781.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>Tom McNeight's book Into the Fantastic explores the vicissitudes of mental illness. He deals with this broad topic from both an academic, philosophical and a personal viewpoint. Tom feels he has been unjustly treated by the mental health authorities ever since he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic at the tender age of nineteen years. Tom subsequently spent most of his adult life being heavily drugged upon what the psychiatrists refer to as anti-psychotic medication. Despite such huge challenges, Tom has risen up to become a successful artist and writer and he has gained deep spiritual insights into his life.<p>About the Author<p>Thomas Edward McNeight is a published author on mental health issues. He draws on his background in philosophical studies with the university. He lives in Wanganui, New Zealand, where he writes and paints. And gathers insights into the plight of the mentally ill, amongst his many acquaintances. Tom is impassioned in his endeavours to highlight the plight of the emotionally affected and he would like to see the status of the psychiatric institutions be raised to a level befitting that of the twenty first century. His experience has been bleak: As with many of his friends, Tom feels that psychoanalysis is a much healthier option available to psychiatrists than is the current ubiquitous use of harmful chemicals to treat mental illness.http://www.lybrary.com/into-fantastic-p-71780.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/into-fantastic-p-71780.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>Hypomanic is one person's vivid account of how they became aware of the existence of Hypomania through excessive study & the experimentation of recreational drugs inside a hedonistic orientated work life balance. As with many misery memoirs, the protagonist has to be destroyed before finding redemption and therefore unveiling the insights to successfully overcoming the adversity. In this case, which is pre-diagnosis of bipolar by almost eighteen months, the book will demonstrate the full anatomy of a nervous breakdown from a holistic point of view and across a wide range of issues. It is written in the first person as a diary account of what happened to the author age 22 while at University and why he thinks it happened, looking back at 1995, fifteen years post event and with a diagnosis of bipolar. There are also detailed accounts of what roles close friends and family members played during the downfall and subsequent comeback of the main character. It is not a self help book per se, it belongs among the story section because this book enthrals as much as it educates. It is a message to healthy young people with hedonistic outlooks, their friends and their families. It is a classic clinical scenario of exactly what happens to everyone involved with a stress induced Hypomanic episode and therefore how to avoid the experience before it happens or prepare for coping with it, if a diagnosis of bipolar has already occurred.<p>About the Author<p>Born in Bradford West Yorkshire, a qualified Information Designer he has worked successfully as an Art Director within London Advertising Agencies for over ten years, generating online solutions for many distinguished global brands. He was diagnosed with Bipolar affective disorder in 1996 after returning to University to complete the degree interrupted by the initial nervous breakdown. Between February 1995 and March 2000 he has suffered five hospitalisations in Cumbrian psychiatric wards, one of which was a twenty eight day section under the mental health act. After losing half a decade and causing immeasurable pain to his family, he took the decision not to be defeated by the illness or the stigma he felt was causing his life to stall. He decided return to anonymity in London where he could focus on his mental well-being, kick-start his career in Advertising and most of all to write Hypomanic. Since March 2000 he has not been hospitalised a single time, although he has coped with numerous relapses and further Hypomanic episodes by using NHS crisis teams and Haloperidol PRN to get through the tougher times. He has been an active member of Islington MDF group since 2001 and has studied his illness to develop coping mechanisms which do not involve medication. However, he is an advocate of Lithium and continues with the mood stabiliser under the proverb, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." This strategy above all has given him half a decade of quality life, which he may not have had without psychiatrists finding a therapeutic level suitable to his biological makeup.<p>"This is a memoir I've wanted to write since 1997 and now I feel there is enough distance between me, the event and the high emotions to do it justice. It is my account of living with a controlled, but ultimately incurable mental illness, which if read, may help someone else that is seeking to better understand and cope with the frustrating road to wellness. I've found in my personal journey that it's really nice to read something that makes you feel less alone. "http://www.lybrary.com/hypomanic-england-p-71609.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/hypomanic-england-p-71609.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>This is the true story of Ben, who has an undiagnosed disorder, which manifests itself in unpredictable behaviour. It is told by Freda Malian, a practising psychotherapist for over 30 years, with the help of her husband, various relatives and friends. The book illustrates in chronological order their mammoth struggle from Ben's birth to the present, 35 years on. In it, Freda shares how she and her husband survived many years of turmoil and suffering, learning so much about their dark sides and how they discovered their untapped strength and stamina. On their journey with their son they often sought professional help. They never abandoned Ben because they loved him and he was their son forever. In some strange way he became the glue that bound them and they are grateful to him for all he has taught them.<p>Freda Malian's intention in chronicling Ben's story is to provide insight and hope to both parents and professionals by offering a unique, reflective account of her struggle to understand her son who does not fit the norm but who nonetheless has deserved her loving attention.<p>About the Author<p>Freda Malian is a wife, mother, grandmother and practising psychotherapist. In her spare time she enjoys playing with her grandchildren, walking either alone or with friends, singing, reading and hanging upside down in a Pilates studio.http://www.lybrary.com/survived-difficult-child-learned-thrive-p-71607.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/survived-difficult-child-learned-thrive-p-71607.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>The life of Hillary Clinton, as seen by Rosaleen O'Brien, and conveyed through the medium of poetry.<p>About the Author<p>I have been in receipt of trauma counselling since 1999 on a daily basis,at times speaking till the early hours of the morning. Support from my trauma Counsellor helps me to come to terms with accepting that what has happened to me cannot now be changed. I cannot ever forgive those who had a vicarious liability to look after me and failed. As a result of being locked away for some years all because we were poor has brought certain limitations to my day to day life. Writing is a form of therapy and allows me to be free to be the person that I want to be, and should have been my birthright. Through writing I can reach out to others who may have had such an unfortunate experience as myself . Daily flashbacks can be upsetting and I fill my life with things to do so as to block them out. Day to day life can be exhausting and coping mechanisms that I learnt in order to survive have not helped me in the outside world. God help all fellow survivors and perhaps one day Ireland will accept the terrible price we paid. Shame on all you right thinking residents in Ireland to allow the government and Catholic Church to ignore harm done to me and many others who are either dead or too ill to tell their story. Thanks to Chipmunkapublishing I have been able to confront my demons and a Big Thank you to Reatha my trauma counsellor without her I would not be here today writing about my stolen life.http://www.lybrary.com/hillary-clinton-p-71598.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/hillary-clinton-p-71598.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>'Girl Power' by Lee Seymour is the follow up to 2008`s debut "Hemiplegic Utopia." This is no sordid, kiss and tell collection, not by any means, nor a fight for female rights, but a very short, honest diary with a slight twist, recording a young man`s quest in wanting to give one`s heart away to somebody who`ll accept him with all his traits, both good and bad, physical or otherwise.<p>Afterall beauty is only skin deep.<p>About the Author<p>Lee Seymour, born in Manchester on the 21st of April 1980, was diagnosed with Hemiplegia around eight months old, a case of minor left sided cerebral palsy, whose symptoms are often likened to someone having had a stroke. Knowing the dream to play professional football for Aberdeen could never be realised Lee quickly decided at an early age to turn his hand towards writing about the beautiful game not to mention his difficult childhood, in the hope it might give him the same satisfaction as fulfilling a career in soccer, and now has over 250 freelance junior/senior match reports printed by five different newspapers.http://www.lybrary.com/girl-power-p-71590.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/girl-power-p-71590.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>Albert Camus wrote that the only real question a human being has to ask of themselves is; should I live, or should I die? Before this question is answered, we are unable to progress with life, to seize the grass and the smiles and the sunlight, because we are still pondering.<p>'Gardening in the Dark' follows the path of Alex, as she stumbles towards making this decision. Interspersed with her story we meet Ally, a young girl whose childhood is entirely affected by the impact of her Mother's Bipolar.<p>Through Alex and Ally's stories, we come to realise that the cyclical nature of the condition affects not just a single person, but entire generations. Despite this, 'Gardening in the Dark' is ultimately a poignant and evocative novel about love, embracing life, and personal triumph over tragedy<p>About the Author<p>Jennifer Syrkiewicz has been writing all her life, drawing from a mixture of personal experience and imagination to inform her fiction.<p>Diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder, Jennifer wrote her first novel, 'Gardening in the Dark', to raise awareness of the condition and express how Bipolar affects the lives of both the person diagnosed, and those around them. Since writing the novel, Jennifer has set up a support group for the condition in her area.<p>Jennifer was born in 1976, in Yorkshire. Following a meandering trail across the UK to attend various universities, she is now happily settled in North Yorkshire with her husband Paul and two dogs. She runs a small Communications business and spends most of her time blogging, writing articles and producing fiction and poetry.http://www.lybrary.com/gardening-dark-p-71588.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/gardening-dark-p-71588.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>Depression Can Be Fun is an initiative of Helen McNallen who has suffered from Clinical and Bipolar Depression and wants to help others and spread the word. The book's name originated from the 'black comedy' of her experiences of manic depression and is certainly not meant to offend or belittle Depression. Humour is a powerful antidote to Depression as she found out and you will find out in the book. It is also an acceptable medium to explain Depression and take away the misunderstandings and stigma still sometimes attached to depression. The book is concise, accurate, humorous, sympathetic and informative all at once and gives a relaxed approach to dealing with depression and reminds us that although life is hard, if you look closely and long enough, you will find something to make you smile. Whether you are depressed or not, we will all encounter depressed people, and understanding depression and mental illness can make us more helpful to them.<p>About the Author<p><br> Helen McNallen lives in Nottinghamshire. Helen was diagnosed with physical and mental exhaustion in 1998, with clinical depression in 1999 and then bi-polar depression in 2003. Having suffered a breakdown as a trader in the city of London and subsequent depression for many years, she is keen to help others avoid the terrible grips of Depression and its side effects by raising awareness of depression and supporting people in any way she can. Helen has set up a website to support and inform depression sufferers and their carers, www.depressioncanbefun.com and has written Depression Can Be Fun to help others capture that glimmer of hope that she lost sight of for a long time. Helen also works with the NHS and is involved in the Time to Change nationwide anti-stigma campaign.http://www.lybrary.com/depression-can-be-fun-p-71549.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/depression-can-be-fun-p-71549.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description <br> A collection of poems and prose poems, an exploration of a life, of suffering and of recovery.<p>About the Author <br> I'd Once Heard it Said <br> "You're no good", followed by violence and more words. He grew up hearing he was no good, he even believed it, right through his working life <br> But one day de decided to go back to school, over 40, no qualifications, and people were laughing behind his back - but they weren't laughing when he got 9 Distinctions and 9 Merits H.N.D <br> 2001 graduated, degree from Southbank University, but all the time memories of what he was called as a child dogged him, followed him like a bad smell. No one ever said he'd done something good, never encouragement, only pain. He was the only person I'd heard of who graduated with Narcolepsy - slept throughout his course and still passed. Lost eight stone and still never thought he had done anything special. <br> 2004 found him at Poetry Group where he started to write what he felt like. Death and Suicide. After many attempts he found himself seeing a Psychiatrist, who said, "You display a lot of signs of Aspersers Syndrome", and he thought - just another whip for his back. <br> However he came to understand just what had caused his troubled life, no friends, isolated, always on his own. Only death was his friend. <br> His mother who had always said the most terrible things to him, made him feel like committing suicide. If he had Aspersers, could other family members have it? <br> His brother said to him, out of the blue, he'd lost two kids; one would be 9 now and the other 4. He replied, "That's sad, that's something you never get over". <br> His brother said "He had." Later that night he told his mother who replied "That's his problem". He said in a soft voice "That's insensitive" - a short silence, and his mother replied "Yes, but I already knew". He replied, "Don't worry, but don't say it to him" <br> Then it struck him, it was not said with malice or to cause pain it was just said like you might say "Good morning Aspersers". <br> If you feel like jumping off, it's said by the time you hit the bottom you have forgotten why you jumped. Don't. <br> If you want people to know, then don't. How will you know? You're dead. <br> If you are alone, not loved, rejected. Don't <br> He wrote with a smile as they said "Where's Jason gone - to join the one million?" <br> It is written that one million people a year commit suicide. <br> DON'T. 17/03/08http://www.lybrary.com/death-suicide-despair-poetry-p-71544.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/death-suicide-despair-poetry-p-71544.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Can Dannie make the right decisions with your help?<p>'Dannie's Dilemas' is a series of books designed to show the difficulties that children with Aspergers Syndrome face on a daily basis.<p>The books are an interactive way for readers to get involved with Dannie's Dilemas. The reader has the ability to choose the way the stories end. This makes them unique in their own way.<p>Dannie is an eleven year old Aspergers child, she is smart, friendly and very helpful, but due to the Aspergers she finds it difficult to assess situations, work out what people think and really mean, make daily choices and understand emotions and sayings.<p>Like most Aspergers children Dannie does find herself in trouble quite a few times for taking people literally, especially with idioms, 'Dannie's Dilemas' tries to explain as many idioms as possible.<p>Seeing life through Dannie's eyes shows us all how emotionally difficult it is for Aspergers children to understand the world that we take for granted every day.<p>In 'The Spelling Saga' Dannie has a secret about her spellings which she does not want to tell anybody. Dannie believes that a secret should be kept at all times.<p>Dannie finds herself in trouble in the morning as she is avoiding learning her spellings with her mother. Her avoidance makes her run late and she misses her TV time before going to school. This creates arguments and tantrums.<p>While Dannie is at school, she notices that the date is wrong on the class white board and Dannie creates a disturbance once more. As she cannot let the matter drop and insists that the date has to be fixed.<p>During lunch time Dannie meets up with her friends, during a conversation one of Dannie's friends mentions about Dannie's recent spelling tests. How Dannie was very good at spellings and has been top of the class. Dannie begins to feel unwell and cannot work out why she is feeling sick, Dannie ignores the feeling and leaves her friends.<p>Later in the day Dannie completes her spelling test but cannot shake the sick feeling. Dannie is sent to the school nurse who tries to inform Dannie that the reason she is feeling ill is due to the fact that she is hiding something. Dannie gets very upset and runs out of the nurse's office and heads back to her classroom, wondering if the nurse could be right and if she really was feeling ill because of her secret.<p>When Dannie returns to class, Dannie's teacher Miss Phillips calls Dannie to inform her that once again Dannie has top marks in her spelling test. Dannie receives lots of praise for her work and merits for doing so well. Miss Phillips also tells Dannie that because she is doing so well with the spellings, she feels that Dannie should try some harder spellings. This makes Dannie feel even worse than before and the sick feeling is getting stronger.<p>After school, Dannie's mother asks Dannie how she got on with her spelling test and Dannie avoids answering her as much as possible. Dannie's mother finally insists that she sees Dannie's spellings for the coming week and Dannie has no choice but to show her mother the difficult spellings that Miss Phillips gave Dannie earlier.<p>Dannie's mother reacted angrily at the spellings set out for Dannie and assumes that Dannie's teacher is bullying Dannie as her mother knows that Dannie cannot spell and doesn't understand why a teacher would give a child who cannot spell words which would be impossible for her to learn.<p>The sick feeling that Dannie had been suffering with all day finally erupts, Dannie ends up being sick in Dannie's mother's friend's house and this is where Dannie's Dilemma begins.<p>Should Dannie tell someone her secret? Or should Dannie keep quiet, and tell no one?<p>Only the reader can decide the outcome.http://www.lybrary.com/dannies-dilemma-book-spelling-saga-p-71533.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/dannies-dilemma-book-spelling-saga-p-71533.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description <br> 1. THE ORDER OF DISORDER <br> Through the use of dialogue, soliloquy, physical theatre, imagery, and some moments of stark humour, the 'Order of Disorder' presents a woman's attempts to examine her eating difficulties and explore the possible reasons behind her illness, making extensive use of stylised theatre with a poetical thread running through. <br> "This is a sensitive and moving account of a young woman's problems with anorexia. I can see it being used to great effect in drama therapy work. It rang very true, particularly the 'lunch' monologue. In fact, I'd imagine that that would stand alone very effectively. The rest of the play is also convincing and I'm sure that it could be staged so that it made its point. You have a fascinating story to tell - full of drama and conflict." <br> Stagecoach Report Form, The Rep, Birmingham developed and performed as part of the author's final project during her HND in Community Theatre, the piece has since been commissioned for several other performances, both as a performance of the complete play, and 'Lunch' as a stand alone monologue. <br> MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COVERED: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Dysmorphia <br> 2. BODYBUILDING <br> AN OUTLINE FOR A DIFFERENT IDEA FOR THEATRE <br> This play aims to challenge societal perceptions, attitudes and expectations of what women today are supposed to yearn for or feel they should attempt to attain. Using caricatured, larger-than-life characters whose behaviours at times verge on 'theatre of the absurd', this darkly humorous piece incorporates satire, fantasy, music and song, along with strong visuals to accompany dialogue which makes social comment on themes prevalent in Western culture today. The ludicrous and bizarre nature of the piece is juxtaposed with a serious look at how many women in modern society believe that success and happiness lie in the moulding of ourselves into a perceived acceptable or even perfect physical form...a form which we can pay for, if we have the means. For this reason, the surreal theatrical style of the piece is intended to reflect the ridiculous assumptions we make about how we can attain happiness in this way; a dogged, superficial, plastic, insincere cheeriness about getting what we want by whatever methods we can...whilst not far beneath the surface lurks the dark despair that arrives once we find that money and plastic surgery and the perfect body do not in themselves necessarily bring the happiness and perfection that myriad members of today's society seem to crave ...for others as much for themselves. The use of comedy, both zany, and at times dark, is used in this piece as a vehicle to quickly engage an audience and draw them into the content of the play. Thus one hopes that they will be given the opportunity to ask themselves some questions about serious issues whilst remaining entertained and inspired by means of a refreshing approach to an innovative piece of theatre. <br> MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COVERED: Body Image, low self-esteem and poor sense of self <br> 3. SEPARATIONS <br> A mother and her grown up daughter, having experienced bonding difficulties at birth, now continue to have communication difficulties and an uncomfortable relationship. The daughter's own childhood experiences of parenting have left her feeling unprepared and reluctant about having a baby of her own. This play explores some of the immediate and consequent longer-term effects of mother and baby bonding difficulties through the conversations between mother and daughter and the monologues they, and the nurse present at the birth, address directly to the audience. <br> MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES COVERED: Mother/child bonding issues, dysfunctional family relationships, post-natal depressionhttp://www.lybrary.com/community-chaos-collection-plays-exploring-mental-health-issues-todays-society-p-71522.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/community-chaos-collection-plays-exploring-mental-health-issues-todays-society-p-71522.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT Description<p>'Clare Our Story' is a very intimate account of Clare's fight against breast cancer through the eyes of her husband John. Unbeknown to Clare, John kept a very personal diary of events as they both came to terms with the enormity of Clare's illness and the unwelcome intrusion into family life. In the early days, writing the diary gave John an outlet to air his emotions, but as the weeks and months passed the diary served as a useful record of the treatments and side effects as Clare went through surgery, chemotherapy and finally radiotherapy. As well as conventional treatments offered by the clinicians, John details those alternative therapies and natural remedies that Clare insisted on using to help her through.<p>'Clare Our Story' provides a very touching insight into how John and Clare each dealt with Clare's diagnosis and how family and friends rallied round and offered support.<p>'Clare Our Story' is a frank, honest and true story and will be especially poignant to those affected my a member of the family going through cancer.<p><br> About the Author<p>John Vincent , married to Clare and has a son Nicholas and a daughter Katharine .<br> "I would have said that I was a pretty ordinary kind of guy, but lately I've been breaking the mould. After Clare had cancer we re-visited what we wanted to achieve in our lives. Working 9-6 Monday - Friday didn't figure in mine, so, with our children studying away from home, I left my job in the city and we moved to the New Forest. A mid-life crisis perhaps, but I'm trying out those things that Clare got me to write down as important to me." <br>In the last few years he has developed a property, been an estate agent and has now become a published author. All quite exciting really; certainly not ordinary.http://www.lybrary.com/clare-story-p-71518.htmlhttp://www.lybrary.com/clare-story-p-71518.htmlSun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT