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Suicide Junkie is described as an honest account of what it is like to live with body dysmorphic disorder, borderline personality disorder and depression. Author, S Westwood is now a spokesperson for these disorders hoping to break down barriers and the stigma attached to the words 'mental health'. What makes a bright child go from catching newts in the local ponds to slashing his wrists and taking overdoses? What does it mean to have survived taking such steps, living in a world you really dont want any part of? What is it like to live with an overwhelming urge to die? This is the story of one mans life, what should have been a normal working class existence but which turned into a perpetual struggle with depression. Delving deep into his eighties childhood, and adolescence we search for reasons as to why he keeps falling into the dark oubliette that is mental despondency. A survivor of at least seven suicide attempts he tries to find something to cling to, something that will make him want to live. Yet all the time he is fighting with obsessive phobias and a personality disorder that destroys his social and working life. After attempting to kill himself with painkillers he begins a life under the care of the Letchworth mental health team and is diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder, severe depression and Dysmorphophobia, now known as body dysmorphic disorder. BDD is an obsessive belief that you are too ugly to be seen. This leads to extreme self esteem issues and an overwhelming lack of self worth. Stephen was treated with medication and psychotherapy. This autobiographical novel is not only a catharsis for him but no doubt will help others to feel less alone, empathising with the feelings and situations he has been through. Having a young mans take on such an illness is particularly valuable as young men are at particular risk from suicide. This novel follows S.Westwood's own experience which reveals that mental health problems can sometimes be put down to cause and effect, but can often seem to be completely without reason. Depression just happens and when it does it affects everyone in your life. After years of battling he is finally saved by the lady that is now his wife. The story ends with a wedding, and a new beginning where the past is just that- it has passed. Read an excerpt. Listen to an audio excerpt. Buy from Amazon.co.uk 
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