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Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood

Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood

by Tanya Frank (Author)

A compassionate, heartrending memoir of a mothers quest to accept her sons journey through psychosis.One night in 2009, Tanya Frank finds her nineteen-year-old son, Zach―gentle and full of promise―in the grip of what the psychiatrists would label a psychotic break. Suddenly and inexplicably, Tanya is thrown into a parallel universe: Zachs world, where the phones are bugged, his friends have joined the Mafia, and helicopters are spying on his family.In the years following Zachs shifting psychiatric diagnoses, Tanya goes to war for her son, desperate to find the right answer, the right drug, the right doctor to bring him back to reality. She struggles to navigate archaic mental healthcare systems, first in California and then in her native London during lockdown. Meanwhile, the boy she raised―the chatty, precocious dog-lover, the teenager who spent summers surfing with his big brother, the UCLA student―suffers the effects of multiple hospitalizations, powerful drugs that blunt his emotions, therapies that dont work, and torturous nights on the streets. Holding on to startling moments of hope and seeking solace in nature and community, Tanya learns how to abandon her fears for the future and accept the mysteries of her sons altered states.With tenderness, lyricism, and generous candor, this compelling story conveys the power of a mothers love. Zig-Zag Boy is both a moving lamentation for things lost and a brave testament to the people we become in difficult circumstances.

In the compelling memoir "Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood,"Tanya Frank delves into the complexities of mental illness, motherhood, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.

Frank's narrative begins with the birth of her son Ezra, who is diagnosed with autism and schizophrenia. As Ezra grows, his behavior becomes increasingly challenging, and Frank struggles to understand and cope with his condition. She grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation, while simultaneously fighting for the resources and support that Ezra desperately needs.

Through her honest and unflinching prose, Frank paints a vivid picture of the daily realities of living with a child who has mental illness. She explores the impact of Ezra's condition on her marriage, her career, and her own mental health. She also delves into the complexities of the mental health system, highlighting the challenges and frustrations of navigating a system that is often ill-equipped to provide adequate care.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Frank's love for Ezra never wavers. She becomes an unwavering advocate for him, fighting tirelessly to ensure that he receives the best possible care and support. She also finds solace and strength in the community of other parents who are facing similar struggles, forming bonds that provide both emotional support and practical guidance.

"Zig-Zag Boy" is a powerful and moving exploration of the complexities of mental illness, motherhood, and the unwavering love between a mother and her child. Frank's memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the extraordinary lengths that parents will go to for their children.

Rating:

Pages:
224
Language:
English