The Center Cannot Hold Audiobook By Elyn R. Saks cover art

The Center Cannot Hold

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The Center Cannot Hold

By: Elyn R. Saks
Narrated by: Alma Cuervo
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Professor of psychiatry Elyn R. Saks writes about her struggle with schizophrenia in this unflinching account of her mental illness. In The Center Cannot Hold, Saks draws readers into a nightmare world of medications, a misguided health-care system, and social stigmas. But she would not be defeated. With a strength and force of will that most can only imagine, Saks reclaimed her life and went on to achieve great success.©2007 Elyn R. Saks (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC Mental Health Professionals & Academics Psychology & Mental Health Social Scientists & Psychologists Women Mental Illness Memoirs

Critic reviews

"In this engrossing memoir, Saks...demonstrates a novelist's skill of creating character, dialogue, and suspense." ( Publishers Weekly)
Inspiring Memoir • Educational Insight • Engaging Story • Compelling Narrative • Honest Portrayal • Expressive Tone
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Excellent story of Saks' struggle in dealing with schizophrenia while trying to remain in the world, in a real and respected way. This book is an incredibly important tool for helping society understand how our evolving understanding and treatment of the mentally ill affects people who have various issues. Thanks to books like this one and others such as Suspicious Minds by Joel Gold and Ian Gold, the 'us/them" barrier is slowly coming down.

I am extremely happy to have had the experience of peeking into the life of an academic and professional person continued to search for affective ways to manage her issues. I loved to see how each milestone-- degree, job, relationship, etc -- was reached and what obstacles stood in her way. Such a brave narrative. I am thankful for the people in her life who treated her with dignity and understanding. I am thankful she shared her story. I am thankful to have a deeper understanding of what life is like for people who experience schizophrenic symptoms.

Don't miss out on this one!

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Thank you for sharing your story and struggles. I hope this memoir has only provided positive outcomes for you, people in your life, and other readers/listeners.

Thank you for sharing your story and struggles

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This is normally not something I would listen too, and I'm not quite sure it caught my eye, but I loved the story! Really opened my eyes to people who are struggling with a mental illness.

Very interesting story!

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this book is a must read for anyone who wants to work in the field, or who encounters someone who struggles with this mental Illness.

A great resource for insight

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Really like her explanation of her illness.
Gripping and informative
Should be read by any family with the issue

Great storytelling

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Fascinating in some ways but a toot of the author's own horn most of the time. I still haven't figured out how one institution can give the author two awards that are each classified as the highest honor possible.

okay

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Amazing to hear such an intimate account of Elyn’s struggles and huge accomplishments while ensuring with a SMI and beating the odds.

Insightful!

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great book. I read this first and just recently got the audio book. really good book

read this book

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I heard Dr. Saks speak at a conference. I was in awe of what I heard. Still, this book stayed on my wishlist for years. Now as I embark on a new therapeutic journey to understand my own illnesses relationship to my choice of a clinical profession Dr. Saks provides guidance with kindness. Her gifts, together with her illness, have provided her incredible wisdom. I thank her for the honesty and the window into a life worth living.

Fascinating and inspirational

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I really liked it. it was insightful, interesting, and detailed. the sections are not lined up with the book chapters, which threw me in the beginning, but the story was very much appreciated

Great Story

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