Mistaken Identity
Surviving Tragedy and Misdiagnosis
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FROM THE INTRODUCTION For me there has always been a strong sense of life before John's death, and life after. In pathologising my family and defining normal sibling relations as abusive, psychotherapy has sought to look for answers where they were never going to be found. It is for this reason that I have included photographs and dedicated a chapter to family history in order to show how the lives of decent people can be re-written by analytical psychotherapy. FROM CHAPTER 4 Without my consent, an appointment was made with a psychiatrist who arrived at my bedside and ushered me to what appeared to be a storage room. I am only 5' 3" and he appeared to tower over me in his dark suit. As I hadn't had time to arrange for a dressing gown or slippers to brought from home, I was wearing a hospital gown that gaped at the back and was trying to make myself as presentable as possible before following him. I felt small and inadequate as I followed him in my bare feet. This delay caused him to scrutinise me and the stage was set for an uneven display of power and intent.
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About the Book
In Mistaken Identity, Francine Keane has told of her challenging journey through almost two decades of depression and anxiety which started with the tragic death of her brother when she was 18. With an incorrect diagnosis she was encouraged to persist with analytical psychotherapy while further losses accumulated - the death of her mother from Alzheimer's Disease, her second brother from motor neuron disease and, finally, her father who died in 2003 at the age of 90. In caring for her terminally ill brother and elderly father she explores the importance of being present for those you love during such a precious time. Finally, after 20 long years, a correct diagnosis and treatment has lead to the rediscovery of her own creativity and this book was borne of the desire to show how the lives of decent people can be re-written by psychiatry. In baring her soul she has attempted to de-mystify abstract therapeutic concepts and questioned the validity of psychotherapy. Through the use of letters, poetry and dreams she has presented an experience in which life really does imitate art.
About the Author
Francine Keane lives in Sydney, Australia and has spent two decades working as a PA and office manager in a wide range of sectors including advertising and publishing. She is currently working as a market research interviewer. She has completed Diplomas in Freelance Journalism and in Professional Editing and Proof-reading. This is her first book. She can be contacted by email at francine.keane5@bigpond.com