Awards

• Commended for Benjamin Franklin Award (Psychology) 2014

Overview

"""Losing Dad, Paranoid Schizophrenia: a Family's Search for Hope,"" is the compelling true story of a family grappling with the stranglehold of severe mental illness. When a father develops paranoid schizophrenia at fifty-three, he descends into psychosis and grandoise delusions which lead him to abandon his family and travel to over thirty countries as a self-proclaimed prophet-of-God before returning to the United States of America, penniless and homeless. His colorful descent into psychosis allegedly featured four continents and thirteen wives as he faced down drug dealers and prostitutes, advised the Italian Mafioso and was hailed as a prophet in Africa. Losing Dad not only features Joseph's harrowing -- and still ongoing -- flight from reality amidst anosognosia, but also valuable information about severe mental illness, a list of resources, discussion of mental health laws, and personal perspectives as written by his family members. Included discussion questions are useful for reading groups, classroom case study, or professional education to better understand the societal and psychological impacts of mental illness, both as experienced by family caregivers and the community. The Foreword is written by Dr. Xavier Amador who states, ""I highly recommend 'Losing Dad' both as an educational tool and as a heartfelt tale. Beautifully woven between the facts are the feelings. [Amanda LaPera] shows that behind every severe mental illness there is a human being."" -- Xavier Amador, Ph.D., Founder, LEAP Institute, Author, I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! (Vida Press 2012) A portion of proceeds from sales of Losing Dad will go to NAMI-OC, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit dedicated to improving lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness."

Full Product Details

9780989703734

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Reviews

"""I highly recommend 'Losing Dad' both as an educational tool and as a heartfelt tale. Beautifully woven between the facts are the feelings. [Amanda LaPera] shows that behind every severe mental illness there is a human being."" -- Xavier Amador, Ph.D., Founder, LEAP Institute Author, I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! (Vida Press 2012) Ellen Eldridge from Target Audience Magazine writes,""Reading LaPera's personal family drama feels like sharing a cup of cocoa with a friend you wish you could console."""

I highly recommend 'Losing Dad' both as an educational tool and as a heartfelt tale. Beautifully woven between the facts are the feelings. [Amanda LaPera] shows that behind every severe mental illness there is a human being. -- Xavier Amador, Ph.D., Founder, LEAP Institute Author, I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! (Vida Press 2012) Ellen Eldridge from Target Audience Magazine writes, Reading LaPera's personal family drama feels like sharing a cup of cocoa with a friend you wish you could console.

Author Information

Amanda LaPera is an award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and advocate. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Mental Illness, Orange County Affiliate for ten years where she advocacted for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Her creative works, including short stories and poetry, which often address mental illness, have been published in a variety of anthologies and websites. Visit her website www.amandalapera.com for more information. She teaches English and lives in California where she enjoys spending time with her supportive husband, children and dogs. She continues to write. Amanda LaPera is available for professional speaking engagements, both motivational and informative, on a variety of topics, including mental health and mental illness.

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