WHEN QUIETNESS CAME
A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey with Schizophrenia
By Erin L. Hawkes, MSc
With an introduction by Dr. Richard O’Reilly
2012, Bridgeross Communications
This book touched me deeply as it depicts all the aspects of living with a severe mental illness, schizophrenia, in the case of the author. Erin describes her discovery of schizophrenia, her lack of success with different treatments, how the sickness kept on progressing, the rich inner life created by her auditory hallucinations, delusions and paranoia, and the roughness of the mental health system.
Before reading this book, schizophrenia was a condition that I learned about through the medical lens of the possible symptoms and medication. But Erin made the experience human and real. I am living with bipolar disorder, and despite the significant difference in her experience, I was able to connect to her story. I was particularly touched by her belief that everyone was living with auditory hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. It reminds me of my own false beliefs that are likely to be related to bipolar disorder.
Erin also shares her experience with the mental health system: A lack of empathy for the unknown, except for a few mental health professionals, the accumulation of diagnoses occurs until the illness has progressed enough to show full-intensity symptoms, and the difficulty in discussing with professionals despite being the real expert of her illness.
Erin shows that schizophrenia does not prevent one from being successful academically and in life. She has learnt about schizophrenia, worked towards acceptance, and built resilience from all her hospitalizations.
I recommend Erin’s book for everyone. It is an invaluable testimony for everyone living with schizophrenia or other mental illnesses. It represents a chance for families to discover what the depth of schizophrenia could look like, and to better understand the needs of their loved ones at different moments of the illness. Finally, it is also a message of hope and acceptance.
Learn more or purchase the book from the author’s site: https://erinhawkesemiru.ca/Quietness.html
Review submitted by Celine Ruscher, Pathways Volunteer
April 2025
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