Rickie (ISBN 0449903494)

An inspiration for those battling or treating mental illness:
As a psychiatrist I was especially moved by the honesty with which Dr. Flach and his daughter Rickie wrote of their struggle against her psychiatric symptoms. He did not hide any of the worst aspects of psychiatry in his recounting of his daughter's treatment, yet it was with such an understanding of the limitations of his profession that there is no sense of anger or blame placed on his colleagues. He was equally open and revealing about his own inner struggles, frailties and ultimate resilience. I also think that Rickie and Dr. Flach's decision to pursue alternative (I prefer the term complementary) treatments and their dramatic success is a crucial lesson for all of us practicing medicine today. I highly recommend this book, but that leads me to the only negative comment on this title: it is no longer available. I hope the publisher decides to republish this text. It is so very timely at this time, even more so than when it was written in 1991. Thank you Dr. Flach and Rickie for an inspiring book.

The single most moving story I have read in years!:
This book was an excellent insight to how developmental problems may exist or be overlooked even by the specialists! It is very easy to relate to when you work with children struggling to survive.

Read it in two days:
I got this book from MBBA (MN bio brain association) library, and the day I got it, I started reading it and did not stop until I finished it. Cover to cover in two days. It was absolutely amazing. I've dealt with hospitalizations and abuses of power in those hospitalizations, and while my mother is convinced my problems are not mental diseases, I think I do differ from Rickie. However, it was so nice to read that I was not alone. That hospitals are not perfect. That I can do it, no matter what people say. That was the powerful message of the book.