Oct 14, 2015 the characters have goals, relationships and obstacles, just like everybody else. Ya books featuring characters with mental illness the seattle. Popular mental illness fiction books showing 150 of 214 turtles all the way down hardcover by. Mental illness is an area frequently misunderstood by authors and readers alike. The temptation to examine the human condition through characters who think or behave in ways we find strange is a common theme in literature, and yet more and more of society is waking up to the fact that frivolous depictions of mental illness can have serious realworld implications. May, 2014 later, books would introduce readers to evil nurses, forced lobotomies, and botched attempts at electroshock therapy. There are many compelling, wellwritten narratives that focus on mental illness or otherwise feature teen characters struggling with and.
Richmond used my novel club meds in the chapter on adhd. Books that feature characters dealing with mental illness. This is the first booklength study on ya fiction and mental illness since the boom in publication of so many such novels that began in the early 2000s. Here are 16 of our favorite books that address mental health topics in their stories. Whether schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, or any other maladies of the mind, you can be sure there has been controversial debate about it. The more of these books that are published, the more understandable and normal i believe mental illness will become. Oct 04, 2016 will i ever be good enough healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers the first book for daughters who have suffered the abuse of selfish, selfinvolved mothers, will i ever be good enough. Ya books featuring characters with mental illness by stepha89 a community created list. Its a mix of memoirs and psychology books, but i kept the list to books that i. Pages in category mental illness in fiction the following 6 pages are in this category, out of 6 total. What to consider when writing mental illness standout books. These new novels face the complicated reality of mental. The last few decades have brought improvement in the way mental illness is treated and the way it is portrayed in literature.
Heres a list of my favorite nonfiction books on mental illness. Mental illness in young adult literature is an excellent overview of common mental health struggles that many readers begin to face in their teen years and a solid introduction to the literature that addresses those same struggles. Maybe they were just borrowing behaviors of a quirky friend, or maybe the writers suffered from the disorder and wrote the characters to mimic their own life. According to the canadian mental health association cmha, mental illness will affect 20% of canadians at least once in their life. There are books about addiction, eating disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and more, as experienced by the teen main characters. Needless to say, mental illness was even less understood in. Mental illness in fiction on abebooks shop for books, art. Many books and novels have been written about mental health issues, with the purpose of talking about it more out in the open. Although common, mental illness is not the norm, so characters with such disorders, especially psychoses, are imbued with otherness. There is a great tradition of mental illness in fiction. Jun 28, 2012 many seemingly innocent cartoon characters should count their lucky stars that they live in an animated, fictional universe.
Sep 18, 2019 i think that these ya books about mental health portray these mental health conditions in a respectful manner. Books with thoughtful portrayals of characters who encounter mental health issues can offer middle grade readers comfort, connection, and inspiration. The victorians loved stashing mad women up in towers or attics, where they could sloly peel the wallpaper from the walls or moan and. There are three main characters, and at least two of them have confirmed mental illnesses. Needless to say, mental illness was even less understood in the past than it. The fictional characters with psychological disorders are listed below. I dont want it to be a self help book, or a factual book on mental illnesses. As a way to help erase stigma related to mental illnesses, the national alliance on mental illness has designated may as mental health month. The following 10 mental health books all tackle heavy subjects with warmth and unbridled honesty.
Mental illness portrayal in english literature patientsengage. I think that these ya books about mental health portray these mental health conditions in a respectful manner. Many of these reads will make you laugh through the tears. Fiction has also had such a long, exhausting history of using mental illnesses as symbols and plot devices that seeing more books like broders is a welcome relief. She was the first character i read that had some type of mental illness. Because fictional characters can help us understand our own stories as well as help us overcome our struggles, w e wanted to know what characters people with depression identify with. According to the nami website, 1 in 5 americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime, and the more we talk about the subjecteven in fantastical contextsthe more we can do to understand and assist those who live. May 04, 2016 if you want to better understand different mental health issues and how psychiatric treatment has evolved, the 16 nonfiction books about mental illness listed below are a great jumping off point.
The characters have goals, relationships and obstacles, just like everybody else. Why its important to write about mental health in fiction. My experience reading this book was so cathartic and cleansing. Mental illness portrayal in english literature february 14, 2016 although characters portrayed with mental illness have progressed from the victorian era, more novels with believable and real protagonists need to be authored, says writer, poet and activist jhilmil breckenridge. Her mental and physical illnesses impact her life but she still has a lot of fun. The first group, of which i am a member, needs this representation so we dont feel alone. Nonfiction lets pretend this never happened and furiously happy by jenny lawson are two books that talk about her life and experiences with mental illness. Besides the highlighted novels and discussion on the use of each to portray the illness and individual characters, there are additional books listed, both fiction and nonfiction at the end of each chapter. How to treat mentally ill characters when writing a novel. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. May 01, 2020 may is mental health awareness month, and as society grows in its understanding of mental illnesses, their effects, and their treatments, were seeing more and more ya narratives that address these topics. Ya books featuring characters with mental illness by stepha89 a communitycreated list. Few conditions are as often stigmatized, misdiagnosed and misunderstood as mental illnesses. We asked people from our mental health community who live with depression to share one character they relate to.
Books with their main characters fighting mental illness the times. Romance books with characters who have mental disorders. The books that i am mentioning in this post deal with different mental illnesses. What are some good books about mental illness, fiction and. Later, books would introduce readers to evil nurses, forced lobotomies, and botched attempts at electroshock therapy. Here are five popular fictional characters with mental illness. Non fiction lets pretend this never happened and furiously happy by jenny lawson are two books that talk about her life and experiences with mental illness.
Ive seen the gamut of mental illness, all the way from mild anxiety to fullblown psychosis in a bipolar disorder or schizophrenic or depressed patient. Mira, one of the main characters, has depression, and the book shows her having good days and bad days. On sunday, in honor of may being national mental health month, i posted my ten favorite fiction books about mental illness. Im looking for a fiction novel on a psychologist or psychiatrist and patients with a mental illness. From beloved author and national book award finalist, deb caletti. More like interesting cases of people with mental illnesses. May 18, 2016 as a way to help erase stigma related to mental illnesses, the national alliance on mental illness has designated may as mental health month.
Check out these multilayered novels and memoirs that explore this complex psychological terrain. Will i ever be good enough healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers the first book for daughters who have suffered the abuse of selfish, selfinvolved mothers, will i ever be good enough. Add these books to your toberead pile to better understand mental illnesses. The main character is zeno cosini, and the book is the fictional characters memoirs that he keeps at the insistence of his psychiatrist. It starts with an introductory chapter that includes helpful definitions of mental illness and statistics about mental illness and teens.
The statistic of mental illness being a factor in only 4% of violent crimes refers to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, etc. Books have a singular ability to educate, entertain, and elicit empathy, making them the perfect medium through which to understand oftmisunderstood illness like depression. Mcmurphy, some of literatures most memorable characters have suffered from mental illness, and its fascinating to see how their stories changed over the years, as the world continues to learn, decipher and understand mental illness. Its unlikely that the writers who created these characters consciously decided they would give them an undiagnosed mental disorder as one of their traits. This list is comprised of roughly onethird poc characters.
Whats more, empathy is listed along with comfort and decisionmaking as important components of strong leadership teaching skills. I think its important to see these illnesses portrayed in communities. Madness in one form or another has seemingly always been around ancient chinese medical texts discuss mental disorders, as do some of the greek philosophers but the. Movies that feature characters dealing with mental illness. May is mental health awareness month, and as society grows in its understanding of mental illnesses, their effects, and their treatments, were seeing more and more ya narratives that address these topics. According to the nami website, 1 in 5 americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime, and the more we talk about the subjecteven in fantastical contextsthe more we can do. Incorrect book the list contains an incorrect book please specify the title of the book. Willow by julia hoban, one carefree day by whitney amazeen, duly noted by h. Not the taboo subject it once was, mental illness offers rich territory to explore in books for kids and teens. The character does not have to be officially diagnosed as mentally ill or go to therapy in the book to qualify. Movies that feature characters dealing with mental illness talking to kids about depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues can be tough. These fictional characters also give fun, educate, and interesting role to the children that made them more popular around the world.
John green goodreads author shelved 4 times as mentalillnessfiction avg rating 3. I decided to keep my characters the way they were, and now im really glad i did. Instead, i see these books as a tool for learning how to empathize with people suffering from mental illness, or at times, finding solidarity in the characters struggles. Unless youve been living under a rock for the last ten or so years, youve probably noticed an emerging trend on the internet as well as on tv. Theyre really funny and you can check out her website the bloggess to see if you like her style. I wouldnt have thought science fiction novels were connected to mental illnesses but now i see it.
May 09, 2019 since 1949, may has been designated as mental health awareness month. Symptoms involve constant seeking for approval, inappropriate seductive dressing or behaviour, and being overly dramatic and emotional, traits ohara has. Many other characters are also suffering from mental illnesses including bipolar, anxiety, ptsd, and also depression. During mental health month, try one of these kidrecommended books that tackle mental health in a way that is relatable to young people. All in the mind, 2008 novel by alastair campbell which draws on the authors experiences of depression and alcoholism. Mental health fiction shouldnt be a source for research, especially if the author doesnt have the discussed mental illness. Fictional books with characters with chronic illness. The following list of books about mental illness contains fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, memoirs, biographies, and more, all books that broaden our understanding of mental illness from. A np evaluates patients, diagnoses, orders medication if needed and does education around mental health issues.
Stories chronicling the struggles of young people and their friends, siblings, or parents who suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder ocd, agoraphobia, an eating disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hypochondria, and other illnesses make for engrossing. If they lived among us and were judged the way you and i are, they would be in major trouble. What were once quirky personality traits are in actuality, mental illnesses. The word histrionic refers to theatrical or acting. This wickedly humorous book takes an insightful look at hollywoods vacuousness and the horrors of addiction. These new novels face the complicated reality of mental illness. Mental illness in fiction on abebooks shop for books. Crosscultural stories in america still seem rare in fiction, but its true, mental illnesses do not discriminate. Apr 21, 2016 unless youve been living under a rock for the last ten or so years, youve probably noticed an emerging trend on the internet as well as on tv.
These movies feature characters living and often struggling with mental illness and can help kids understand more about this often sensitive subject. Fictional characters with neurological or psychological disorders. May is mental health awareness month and a great time to explore the many writers who write on diverse topics related to mental health and mental illness. There are two types of people who need to see characters with mental illness in the books they read and the tv shows and films they watch. I typically enjoy reading young adult novels, so all of these books are appropriate for teenagers and older. Turtles all the way down by john green, challenger deep by neal shusterman, the bell jar by sylvia plath, its k. May 23, 2016 may is mental health awareness month and a great time to explore the many writers who write on diverse topics related to mental health and mental illness. If you want to better understand different mental health issues and how psychiatric treatment has evolved, the 16 nonfiction books about mental illness listed below are a. Using literature to confront the stigma of mental illness. Ya books about mental illness and mental health book riot. The clear structure of the book makes it easy to reference for any specific needs an information professional might have. If you need information and practical advice on mental health, you can call the rethink advice and information service on 0300 5000 927 10am2pm, if youre in the uk.
These characters have such glaring and longenduring mental disorders that theres no way they could escape years of therapy, and possible institutionalization. Other fiction and nonfiction books some of them true classics can help fight prejudice against mental illnesses and disorders. And you might also want to take a look at our list of books with. Jan 14, 2015 the statistic of mental illness being a factor in only 4% of violent crimes refers to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, etc. Writing fictional characters with disorders, disabilities. These authors create wellrounded characters that go through mental health challenges because it makes them relatable to the millions of people who live with mental health conditions everyday. This study is thoughtful, thorough, and well organized. Spam or selfpromotional the list is spam or selfpromotional. The more of these books that are published, the more understandable and normal i. Psychiatrists diagnose gothams villains with mental illnesses.
Scarlett ohara gone with the wind the archetypal character with histrionic personality disorder. Fictional characters with psychological disorders flow. Many seemingly innocent cartoon characters should count their lucky stars that they live in an animated, fictional universe. The writer must provide a way for the reader to relate to the character despite the illness and because of it. Charlie brown charlie brown is the character that has been very popular for most families. What better way to immerse yourself in such important cultural conversations than with literature.
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