Mental Illness And Addiction In The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls

Mental Illness and Addiction In The Glass Castle, written by Jeannette Walls, there are many different themes that relate to issues faced in today’s society. The book is a memoir, written about Jeannette’s family life and experiences. Throughout her life, Jeannette and her siblings faced many hardships, living in poverty with their border line abusive parents. The Walls children endured many struggles due to their parents’ battles with mental illness and addiction. Despite the neglect from their parents, the children were able to overcome their hardships and work their way out of the life that was handed to them. They found their way out of the dirty streets of Welch, Virginia and discovered a world of opportunity in bustling New York City.

Along with bipolar disorder, there are many other diseases that can affect the brain. Schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, and borderline personality disorder are just some of the illnesses that affect millions of Americans every day (Mental Illness Facts). According to a study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four American families has a family member with one of these diseases (Mental Illness Facts). If the right help is not received, it can be very devastating to families, as seen in The Glass Castle. Lack of treatment for mental illness often results in problems like homelessness, substance abuse, and unemployment (Mental Illness Facts). Mental illness is usually very difficult to treat, which means that many people are suffering from the issues listed above. Contrary to popular belief, people cannot control their mental issues. These disorders are biological deficits, and cannot simply be treated with willpower. Most illnesses are not curable, but there are means for improvement. Treatments for psychological disorders include different methods of therapy and the taking of certain medications (Mental Illness

In the book, both of Jeannette’s parents struggled with some type of brain disorder. Her mother suffered from a mental illness that affected her ability to function as a normal mother. Her father faced an alcohol addiction that played a part in the neglect of his children. The lives of the people affected by these illnesses today are very similar to the life of the Walls family in the book. Many people in today’s society are faced with the struggles of a mental disorder, and their families often feel the worst effects. Along with mental illness, there is also an epidemic of addiction and substance abuse in our world today. These diseases take control of people’s lives, and they are usually very difficult to treat. Treatment for mental illness and addiction usually involves countless hours of therapy, and even the use of medication in some cases. Even though mental disorders and substance abuse are still pressing issues today, it is never too late for those affected to seek help and change their lives for the