A WREXHAM woman has shared her experiences of living with psychosis through a new book.
Dr Sarah Mackay has had her book, The Family - An Anthology of Psychosis, published by award-winning independent Wrexham publisher Motiv8.me Press.
The book charts her experiences of living with psychosis.
It is described by the publishers as a vivid, first-hand exploration of the experience of psychosis presented through a moving collection of paintings and poetry.
Dr Mackay describes the voices that she hears due to the psychosis as 'the Family'.
Scholarship
Dr Mackay said: "Once upon a time I was a nurse. After earning a first-class nursing degree and graduating top of my class, I went on to receive a scholarship to study autism at doctoral level. I’ve been in and out of hospital my whole adult life, plagued by the Family. The Family is a group of people that live in an alternate universe. In a place full of demons. I hear them talking to me and talking between themselves. This anthology is our story.”
Although current Covid restrictions meant it wasn’t possible to celebrate the release of the book with a traditional launch event, Dr Mackay hopes to invite members of the public to join her for a meet the author event in Wrexham later this year.
The candid book comprises of a moving series of paintings and poems and offers a valuable insight into the experience of psychosis that can help both sufferers and those working with them as professional practitioners or carers. It can also offer a new perspective to help family members and friends better understand the condition.
The book has already caught the attention of Tony Scannell, a PSI Nurse Specialist with the NHS Trust Community Mental Health Team and a facilitator of Wrexham Hearing Voices Group.
He said: “We hope this book will help others who might be struggling with voices, visions or other unusual experiences, find reassurance and hope and find their own window in which to explore their experiences, find some of the meaning linked to those experiences and discover new ways to accept and live with their own equivalent to The Family.”
For J.Allan Longshadow, founder of Motiv8.me Press, based in Wrexham Enterprise Hub, the publication is another significant milestone in the company’s history.
He said: “We are delighted to be able to bring another tremendously powerful, transformative book from a local author into the world at a time when mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever before and so many people feel that they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
"I hope this book will be a valuable resource for all those affected by psychosis and help to foster greater understanding of this condition.”
The Family - An Anthology of Psychosis is available to purchase from the book shop at www.motiv8.me.
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