Heather's Rage: A Mother's Chronicle of Daughter's Journey of Mental Illness

Newswise — Imagine as a mother being forced to relinquish custody of your daughter in order for the child to receive the proper treatment for mental illness. That's just what Omahan Leslie Byers did in 1996 when her daughter was 10 years old.

In her newly published book, "Heather's Rage," author Leslie Byers chronicles the years of frustration experienced as she and her husband struggled to find answers to their daughter's manic-induced rages and suicidal depressions brought on by a mental illness called bipolar disorder. At the same time, Byers, an information technology consultant, and her husband had to cope with the challenges of getting help for their daughter, from working through the educational system to dealing with something that they least expected because of their daughter's illness--the juvenile court system. Through it all, the Byers greatest agony came from being forced to give up custody of their little girl because they could not afford the proper treatment.

Byers' daughter finally received the right diagnosis and treatment she needed and today, she is living successfully with the disease. Byers wrote about her family's story to help erase the stigma of mental illness, to create a better understanding of the disease, and to raise awareness that there needs to be better systems in place aimed at children for early detection and intervention.

"As the mother of a daughter who has struggled with mental illness for more than 16 years, I know first-hand the stigma and ignorance of mental illness and the challenges that families face as a result of that stigma," said Byers. "I chose to write a book about how we overcame our challenges through faith and perseverance, recovered and healed as a family. I hope our story will replace ignorance of mental illness with understanding, and offer help, suggestions and inspiration for those in similar situations."

Byers' book was recently published by Brown Books—the timing of it coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 3-9, 2004, sponsored by NAMI (National Advocacy for the Mentally Ill). During this week, millions of Americans will be honoring the challenges encountered by mental illness as well as celebrating the recoveries they or their loved ones have embraced. In addition Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day is Oct. 7, 2004, and its primary role is to raise awareness on what the illness is and how to seek treatment and recovery. Below are facts on mental illness (Source: NAMI): Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's "character" or intelligence. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability (lost years of productive life) in the North America, Europe and, increasingly, in the world. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

Mental illnesses strike individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports;

Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; by getting people the treatment they need early, recovery is accelerated and the brain is protected from further harm related to the course of illness.

To read a sample of Byers' "Heather's Rage," visit Brown Books' Web site at http://www.brownbooks.com/authors/byers. The book is available nationwide. If a local bookstore does not carry it, the book can be ordered online at http://www.amazon.com or http://www.brownbooks.com. The paperback book is $14.95.