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I Never Promised You A Rose Garden

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, written by Joanne Greenberg, has by far been the most difficult book to read and understand.   With its difficulty aside, I couldn't set the book down.   I found it so interesting to read what goes on inside a person's head who suffers from schizophrenia.   It made me understand and appreciate why people with a mental illness behave the way they do.   We can't see what goes on in their thoughts, or what they are feeling.   So why are we so quick to judge?   This book has taught me not to judge, or laugh at a person's behavior while suffering from an illness.   It has made me have a greater sympathy and respect for the sufferers of mental illnesses.   I can't imagine living in the mentality world as Deborah Blau.   Her world was so real to her, the world of Yri.   She couldn't escape.   She couldn't betray her god Anterrabae.   Imagine walking one day in her shoes.   It's a scary thought.
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden has made me realize so many things.   I learned that a mental illness affects everyone, not just the patient.   A mental illness, especially one as severe as schizophrenia, will have a huge impact on the lives of parents, family, friends, and even the team of medical authorities and doctors.   It has also made me recognize the differences in the approach doctors take when attempting to treat a mental illness.   Throughout the story, Deborah developed such a strong relationship and friendship with Dr. Clara Fried, her therapist.   This took time, but was an important factor in order to overcome Deborah's illness.   Dr. Fried took a more laid back approach as compared to Dr. Royson, the therapist who temporarily filled in for Dr. Fried while she was away one summer.   He focused on trying to logically prove that Yri is Deborah's own creation, not a real kingdom.   He bombarded her with questions, trying to find answers.   Dr. Fried empathized with Deborah.   She allowed Deborah to know that she...