I do have a quibble with the book's portrayal of the treatment of mental illness, which seemed a bit unreal from what I know. The therapist and Kara's mother team up to try to put her in a hospital because she's still having nightmares, she's given drugs without her consent, and her therapist shows strong tendencies to listen to her mother instead of to Kara. I mean, I have no doubt that this happens with sucky therapists, but I kind of wish it weren't perpetuating the whole "people who are basically fine get stuck in hospitals and have drugs shoved down their mouths OMG we are so overmedicated!" thing.
When Don's mom had him committed as a teenager (twice!), it was made clear to him that either he consented, or they would put him in against his will. (Apparently if you're depressed after your father dies from a horrific illness and you have a chronic pain condition, you're no longer allowed to make your own decisions.)
Also, his mom had to throw a fit before they'd agree to NOT use electroshock therapy on him.
Don's only 29. This was a little more than 10 years ago. I keep an eye on news stories about people - especially women - being committed against their will and the treatment they receive.
I think there's a lot of fail in how hospitalization is presented in the media, because you're right - it's often shown as "perfectly healthy person put in against their will!" But the way a lot of folks with mental health conditions are treated in care facilities is awful because it's awful, not because it happens to "well" people.
[All of which I have no doubt you know, this is just one of Those Things.]
no subject
When Don's mom had him committed as a teenager (twice!), it was made clear to him that either he consented, or they would put him in against his will. (Apparently if you're depressed after your father dies from a horrific illness and you have a chronic pain condition, you're no longer allowed to make your own decisions.)
Also, his mom had to throw a fit before they'd agree to NOT use electroshock therapy on him.
Don's only 29. This was a little more than 10 years ago. I keep an eye on news stories about people - especially women - being committed against their will and the treatment they receive.
I think there's a lot of fail in how hospitalization is presented in the media, because you're right - it's often shown as "perfectly healthy person put in against their will!" But the way a lot of folks with mental health conditions are treated in care facilities is awful because it's awful, not because it happens to "well" people.
[All of which I have no doubt you know, this is just one of Those Things.]