Suggested Books

There are many books about hearing voices, their causes and meanings – here are just a few which you might find helpful:

Hearing Voices:

• Overcoming Distressing Voices – A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques
  Mark Hayward, Clara Strass, David Kingdon
• An Introduction to Self-help for Distressing Voices
  A workbook by Cassie Hazell, Mark Hayward, Clara Strass, David Kingdon
• Overcoming Paranoid and Suspicious Thoughts – A Self-help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques
  Daniel Freeman, Jason Freeman, Philippa Garety
• The Voice Inside – A Practical Guide For and About People Who Hear Voices
  Paul Baker with contributions from Marius Romme, Sandra Escher, Ron Coleman
• Accepting Voices
  Marius Romme and Sandra Escher
• Living with Voices – 50 Stories of Recovery
  Marius Romme and Sandra Escher
• Agnes’s Jacket – A Psychologist’s Search for the Meaning of Madness – ISBN 978-1906254452
• Hearing Voices – A common Human Experience
  John Watkins (Possibly out of print, but may be available from eBay or Abebooks.co.uk)
• The Practical Handbook of Hearing Voices – Therapeutic and Creative Approaches
  Isla Parker, Joachim Schnackenberg, Mark Hopfenbeck
• Hearing Voices, Demonic and Divine: Scientific and Theological Perspectives
  Christiopher CH Hook
• Young People Hearing Voices: What You Need to Know and What You Can Do
  Sandra Escher, Marius Romme

Hearing Voices Books: Suitable for Mental Health Professionals

Any of the above books can also be suitable, but more specifically are those in following section:

• The Practical Handbook of Hearing Voices – Therapeutic and Creative Approaches
  Isla Parker, Joachim Schnackenberg, Mark Hopfenbeck – ISBN 978-1910919910 – Published 2021
• Making Sense of Voices – A Guide for Mental Health Professionals Working with Voice Hearers
  Prof Marius Romme & Sandra Escher – (A4 Size) Published by MIND – ISBN 978-1874690863
  Possibly out of print but can sometimes be found on Abebooks.co.uk and eBay (£50 – £65)
  When ordering take care not to confuse with Living with Voices – 50 Stories of Recovery (A5 size)
  the front covers are quite similar at a distance.
• Living with Voices – 50 Stories of Recovery
  Marius Romme and Sandra Escher – ISBN 978-1906254223
• Young People Hearing Voices: What You Need to Know and What You Can Do
  Sandra Escher, Marius Romme – ISBN – 978-1906254575
• Psychosis as a Personal Crisis: An Experience-Based Approach
  Marius Romme – ISBN 978-0415673303

Schizophrenia

• Living with Schizophrenia
  Dr Neel Burton
• Schizophrenia for Dummies
  Jerome Levin
• The Carer’s Guide to Schizophrenia: A Concise, Problem-Solving Resource for Family and Friends
  Terence McCann, Dan Lubman, Gayelene Boardman
• Into The Darkness: A Journey Into Schizophrenia [See article at the bottom of this page]
  Darren Smith

Schizoaffective Disorder

• Schizoaffective Disorder Simplified
  Martine Daniel
• Schizoaffective Disorder: A Patient & Family Guide
  Guenevere MacDonald

Bipolar Disorder

• Living at the Speed of Light – Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder, from Depression to Mania and Everything in Between
  Katie Conibear
• Bipolar Guide: A Guide to Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Managing its Triggers to Regain a Sense of Control and to Live an Emotionally Complete Life With Supportive Relationships
  Nathan Weaver
• The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know
  David J. Miklowitz
• Bipolar II Disorder Workbook: Managing Recurring Depression, Hypomania, and Anxiety
  Stephanie McMurrich Roberts, Louisa Grandin Sylvia, Noreen A. Reilly-Harrington
• Bipolar for Dummies
  Candida Fink and Joe Kraynak
• Life With Bipolar Type Two: a guide to stability
  Miss Eleanor Mary Worsley

PTSD

• The PTSD Workbook, 3rd Edition: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms
  Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula
• A Practical Guide to Complex Ptsd: Compassionate Strategies to Begin Healing from Childhood Trauma
  Arielle Schwartz
• The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Regaining Emotional Control and Becoming Whole
  Arielle Schwartz

Dissociative Identity Disorder

• Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy
  Pat Ogden, Janina Fisher (suitable for PTSD & DID)
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment
  Kekuni Minton, Pat Ogden, Clare Pain (suitable for PTSD & DID)
• Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation
  Janina Fisher (suitable for PTSD & DID)
• Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists
  Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele, Onno van der Hart
• The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization
  Onno Van Der Hart, Ellert R. S. Nijenhuis, Kathy Steel

Darren Smith – Into the Darkness : A Journey Into Schizophrenia

Why I decided to write my story – by Darren Smith

Twenty-eight years ago, I was a high achieving, well respected member of the community, but that soon changed after a drug induced psychosis episode landed me on a psyche ward for 5 months. I was ostracised from society and my friends, cast aside as an example of what happens when you play with drugs. I had suffered some trauma in my childhood but because both of my Parents are still alive and out of respect for them, I did not write about what happened. This in turn lead to depression and an unbridled sense of abandonment by girlfriends and started me on my downward spiral when I least expected it.

I had always felt that my diagnosis was taboo within my Family and indeed the Community. It was hushed up and never talked about ever, and I suffered alone. We had no social media to turn to support groups in the 90’s and I knew no one who suffered from Mental Illness. I always felt the need to talk about what happened to me, but no one wanted to listen and so I decided I would write my story. I hoped that those close to me understood what happened from my point of view and rather hoped that anyone seeking help in the future may turn to my book for insight into what can happen with a diagnosis.

The journey took 18 months from start to finish, with writing taking a year. I decided to self-publish through Amazon because I did not want to sign away my story away for a pittance on the off chance of it becoming popular. The small things like proof reading, photographs, book design etc all slowly added up but finally in June 2021 my book was uploaded as ready to print and in kindle format. There was some elation and worry that it would be received well if at all. I have had some nice reviews, which can I add are the hardest thing in the world to get readers to do, so please review any book you read for the Author, it means more than being paid for it.

I do feel as though I have accomplished something to be proud of now, although in hindsight the ending was rushed and I did miss a couple of silly mistakes. However, I was going through quite a bad episode during the writing and I think I just wanted it finished to be able to move on.

Facebook has been a complete game changer for me and belonging to various mental health or hearing voices groups has helped tremendously. I also find that whilst I can try and help others with my experiences, I get much love and help back.

My main concern with writing my book is that I may be recognised in my community due to the fact my face is on the front cover. I have become a very private person and I think the past stigma has scarred me. I am told to not feel ashamed for having Mental Illness but all my life there was shame and I would love to let it go, I just can’t.

If you decide to read my story, I hope you enjoy it. I am sorry some of it is crass but I was young at the time and felt it important to show the difference before and after my breakdown. I hope you can laugh too. My email is at the end if you would like to contact me, and please I would love you to leave an honest review.

Darren’s Book: Into The Darkness