Regina's Record

I just discovered a wonderful book by James van Amber called "Regina's Record". It's about his mother who was ... I hardly know what to say ... who was brutalized by the Veteran's Administration psychiatric system. Even the word "brutalized" seems mild compared to what she went through ... endless shock treatments, cold hydrotherapy sessions, abuse by other patients (and no doubt by staff as well), hours upon hours spent in restraints, and an illegal lobotomy (he can prove it was illegal). All this the VA concluded was "superior treatment, even by today's standards". Dear God ... what does that say about today's standards?

James's description of "hydrotherapy" is stunning. This 'treatment' is usually considered innocuous when compared to other 'therapies' that patients have endured - it is not. The horror, the hours she spent packed in cold sheets able only to move her head, the impotent screams of hopelessness that her jailers dutifully noted - it's unbelievable.

"Regina's Record" is well written and heartbreaking. I can't recommend it enough. This is a "must read" book on this topic.

You can order it here in the US. You can order it here in the UK.

This book is well worth your while.