PHOENIX, February 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Painting a vivid picture of struggle and survival, author Anne Bergeron introduces her touching and heartfelt fictionalized true story entitled In Whose Eyes? Portrait of a Schizophrenic (now available through 1stBooks Library). The story follows Anne "over the edge" through various jobs, a labor strike and to the two universities she attended.
The story begins when Anne leaves work to return to college, after just under a decade of absence. She allows stress to overcome her, which ultimately results in a mental breakdown and six different involuntary admittances into various mental hospitals. Anne notes that it was "romantic delusions" that caused her to develop schizophrenia. Though married, Anne's delusions star a young professor, who plays with her mind, knowing she has a "misplaced" crush on him.
Throughout her struggle, her husband, Todd, an economist, watches her slip away. Eventually, Anne realizes that with some hard work and therapy, the couple can save their marriage. Looking back, Anne states her flirting and oblivion caused her to be caught up in several inappropriate situations.
Despite her hardships, Anne graduates with a bachelor's degree in 1980. Six months later, she almost dies after more than a month of fasting (imposed by herself). Soon after that she is first admitted into a mental hospital.
Anne grew up in a large Catholic family. She began writing in high school and was awarded a journalism scholarship. However, after three semesters, she dropped out. She married at the age of 22 and went back to college in 1978. Perfectionism and alcoholism were, in part, determining factors as she lost her sanity.
In Whose Eyes? is extremely timely since as of January 2003 HMO's are required to treat schizophrenia as any other chronic illness. This is the first time that they have been required to do so, and it is a giant leap forward for those with the illness. "One percent of the U.S. population has schizophrenia and most of them are gentle souls," she notes.
ABOUT 1STBOOKS LIBRARY: The only profitable print-on-demand and eBook publishing company of its kind, 1stBooks Library was founded in 1997 and has helped more than 7,000 authors publish their works. For more information, visit www.1stbooks.com and click the "Media" image at the top of the page.