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by Jim Jr. Blackwood (Author)
Jim Blackwood, Jr. has lived with mental illness for most of his life. From surviving childhood bullying to the sudden appearance of Panic Disorder as a young adult to learning he had been living with PTSD all along, his search for a cure is a story of persistence and hope.
His memoir chronicles the evolution of effective mental health treatment over four decades. An essential element of Jim's recovery was Zen Buddhism and meditation. Mindfulness practice has now become an important part of effective behavioral treatments for Panic Disorder and PTSD. With professional guidance, he continues to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Somatic Experiencing as the foundation of his recovery.
His memoir, beginning in childhood, reveals the evolution of effective treatment for Anxiety, Panic Disorder and its underlying causes from a time when there was little help to the current day where there are many paths to recovery. This is a tale of lifelong optimism and persistance in the search for a cure to his illnesses.
Baseball has always been a joy for Jim. He experenced a great loss when his illnesses kept him from going to a major league baseball game for over 2 decades. His loss became a great motivator and now he is able to drive and fly to see his favorite teams.
Jim's recovery allowed him to pursue his passions of academics, politics, and public service. Breaking through the mental health roadblocks that once restrained him, he was able to fulfill his dreams and create an entirely new career. In many ways, his is a love story of the faith and commitment of his wife, family and friends during his relentless effort to discover his cure.
Jim concludes his memoir by detailing all of the parts of his ongoing cure in the hope that his discoveries may help others. If you live with mental illness, or love someone who does, Jim's story is a roadmap to find the help needed to create an engaged and joyful life.
