Divided Minds Book Report

Subsequently after reading Divided Minds, one can be positively sure that schizophrenia is not only a day-to-day battle for its vulnerable victims, but also for the loved ones and their families. This memoir is written by a pair of identical twins, one with an incorrigible mental illness who is also an award-winning poet and the other a doctor of psychiatry. Although the sisters alternate in the telling, it is clearly Pamela's story that captivates you.
As identical twins, Carolyn and Pamela were raised in a nearly identical environment. Pamela, the firstborn was considered the dominant, intelligent, exceedingly creative twin. Carolyn writes about jealousy and resentfulness for her sister and how she sensed that she was frequently living in Pamela's shadow. She also claimed to not living up to her sisters' intellectual level. This book is unique in a sense that it is a dual memoir; transliterated by both sisters trading places contributing their own viewpoints. Up until sixth grade, the girls were classic sisters who lived in constant rivalry. It wasn't until 1963, the first glimpse of Pamela's disorder …show more content…
Even though Carolyn stays in touch she appears to insist on an aloof relationship her and Pam "silently" settled on. Throughout the book, Carolyn stays close enough to be able to see her sister when need be but far enough away to construct a discrete life and successful career. However, given the girl's communication on a regular basis, it is peculiar Carolyn never suspected a psychotic disorder nonetheless schizophrenia. Though Lynnie seems to internally struggle with wanting to be detached from her twin she remained involved in Pamela's treatment as well as a support system. As Carolyn wrote her memories in the book, I would contemplate her own mental health. There were several inclinations of heavy sadness and