Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia

Because I have an identical twin sister, I was drawn to this book because of its reflection of the unique and special relationship that twins share, one that can span the spectrum from flashes of guilt and envy to moments of deep devotion and pride. The alternating voices of Carolyn and Pamela reflect this as they impart their struggle to become individuals and be seen as unique from each other as they develop through adolescence while also staying true to the innate devotion twins share. This is all turned on its head when Pamela, the smart, outgoing achiever, begins to hear voices.... Carolyn struggles with her will to be successful in her own right while feeling guilty that she is somehow betraying her sister. Pamela, battling the demons that keep getting louder, tries desperately to hang on to the achievement that once came so easily but finds it increasingly difficult as she succumbs to the nightmare of her disease. Their relationship as twins changes as they evolve into young women and this role-reversal occurs. The twin bond is extraordinary and I believe that that bond, shared mentally and relationally, often overshadows relationships with other people, even other family members. The exclusivity of this deep bond is illustrated in the twins' siblings' and parents' isolation and denial throughout this ordeal. It is as if Pamela and Carolyn are an entity apart from others. Carolyn's relationship with her own husband and children even takes second priority when Pamela is in crisis. Pamela's first-person account of the manifestations of her illness, the roller-coaster uncertainty of treatments, and the struggles with side effects and compliance issues is heartbreaking, but makes for a fascinating, page-turning read, while the issues that Carolyn is conflicted with are at times shocking but thought-provoking. (This reader was forced to examine the "what ifs?") At times she uses avoidance to cope and seems neglectful and uncaring, but paradoxically, she, true to her 'twin-dom', is also the steady rescuer who comes when Pamela is on the edge of madness. It is an eye-opener not only to the issues of mental illness and the stigma surrounding it, but also to the challenges these diseases present for the families of those affected. I recommend this book because it not only illuminates the world of schizophrenia and mental illness and the real issues regarding mental health and the attitudes these issues invoke, but it is a fascinating account of a relationship with its many facets and many seasons that culminates in a picture of acceptance, love and devotion.

This book was fascinating. This illness has always interested me- to know learn about it. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in psychology, schizophrenia, of course, and/or twins. It was a page turner! BTW, here is Pam's blog if anyone who has read it wants updates. She seems to post pretty regularly. http://www.schizophrenia.com/pam/

A story of life inside a mind that is a living hell. Pamela Spiro Wagner probably has a genius IQ; two-time first-prize winner of the 'Tunxis Poetry Review,' winner of the 2002 BBC International Poetry Award, her work appearing in one magazine and newspaper after another. Pamela also has schizophrenia, and at a very bad level. In this book she is able to describe more clearly, more rationally than I've ever seen what it's like to life in her head. She is able to use her tremendous communications skills to describe what happens inside her head during psychotic episodes better than I've ever seen it described. Carolyn, her twin sister has no such mental illness. She says she isn't as smart as Pamela, but with a M.D. from Harvard she can't be all that dumb. She is able to present a calm and rational side to the story that likewise is so often lacking in straight tales of mental illness. The book is written in two voices, one by each of the two sisters. It's a concept for a book that works exceedingly well in this case. Highly recommended.

It's a facinating story, but it is slow and needs to be read slowly (twice).