EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Product Description Condensed from her earlier work, THE SUICIDE OF MY SON, this book was developed by Minnesota author and lecturer Trudy Carlson specifically for readers who used the book and requested a quick reference guide. In this compelling work, based on the first section of THE SUICIDE OF MY SON the author traces the origins of her son Ben's bipolar depression, attention deficit disorder, and the symptoms of anxiety exhibited from infancy to his death by suicide at age fourteen. Included are behavioral manifestations of these condition at various stages of Ben's life, interspersed with teacher evaluation, psychological impression from noted child psychiatrist and researchers, and reflections on Ben's development throughout these stages. Reader become familiar with Ben's life and struggles on a highly personal level, and come away with a clearer understanding of depressive illnesses and their ramifications as they relate to all our lives.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 2 reviews)
YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THIS BOOK Ms. Carlson has done a sterling job of describing life with her son, Ben. Bright and severely depressed, Ben commits suicide. Naturally this act has a very devastating impact on his surviving family members. This book is not just about Ben, per se. It is a book about how suicide affects family members, red flags to watch for and other symptoms of severe depression. She does a good job of describing mental disorders other than depression and it is her loving, yet frank portrayal of Ben that the reader sees behind the Iron Curtain of suicide. It is a very moving book that most likely will bring tears to the eyes of readers. It is one that should be read and taken seriously. September 10, 2000
Honest and moving. Gut-wrenching in parts, but always frank and honest, this account of the life of a young teenaged suicide victim and his struggles is such an important work. "This book brings depression and suicide out of the closet," one other reader wrote, and she's right. There are as many reasons for suicide as there are people on earth, but there are some symptoms worth addressing, and Carlson's book is the guide to them. If you're dealing with a young person with depression, attention deficit disorder, or any type of anxiety disorder, this book is a must-read. Plainly written from the heart of someone who's been there (and who continues to work on these illnesses) "Ben's Story" will stay with you. March 15, 2000