Escaping The Asylum

A creative journey towards liberation

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Pub Date 17 Jun 2019 | Archive Date 24 Oct 2019

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Description

“This isn't the first psychiatric hospital I've been treated at. I've been transferred a few times before ending up here. However, I don't quite remember how it all started – it's a bit of a mental fog now, really. It is for this reason that I recently decided to start writing down my thoughts and elaborate on the situation here.“

“I think the patients, the psychiatrists, the Money Men and the Asylum Manager may have more in common than some of them would like to think. We all have a mental diagnose.”

Escaping the Asylum is a short novel about a psychiatric patient's view of the treatment within the Asylum and the attempts to escape it once and for all. It gives pointers to issues relevant beyond those of psychiatric institutions. The written form resembles a written diary but also the patient as the narrator through present observations and thoughts on various subject.

“This isn't the first psychiatric hospital I've been treated at. I've been transferred a few times before ending up here. However, I don't quite remember how it all started – it's a bit of a mental...


Available Editions

ISBN 9788269160703
PRICE US$2.99 (USD)

Average rating from 17 members


Featured Reviews

I found this short fictional story to be a compelling look at how life within a psychiatric institution would be perceived from the patient’s perspective throughout the journey from admission to discharge. I’ve spent some of my career in healthcare working on the opposite side, as a healthcare professional within similar systems, not as a psychiatrist though, and found this to be a very unique and creative way to experience the process.
There were some areas in the story that were a bit confusing to the reader. This maybe because I’ve worked within these facilities and know the terminology and way many work so I was trying to superimpose my own experience onto this story although I don’t think they are even in the same medical systems.
I found many of the insights to be spot on. Especially in the final few pages. Fantastic conclusions. This may have been my favorite part. I do think when dealing with mental health issues we can perceive them too simplistically and assume that the patient’s should have more control over their own outcome by taking on their own healing. Unfortunately, I think, from my experience, truly mentally ill patients often lack the judgment and insight to even begin to do the things this patient did towards healing. So, I agree with the premise that institutionalization isn’t the one-size-fits-all solution, it also shouldn’t be discarded for all patients. Some truly need this level of care. Incorporating many of the healing ideas the patient in this story came up with would still be useful and many facilities do this.
Overall, a worthwhile and interesting read for anyone who has an interest in mental health.

#EscapingTheAsylum #NetGalley #BooksGoSocial

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As a way to get structure into their life (and perhaps other reasons), this person voluntarily enters an Asylum. However, it has been for a few years and at a few different Asylums. The main focus at these places seems to be a Joint Assignment. Yes, to socialize and to work both independently and as a group are important skills to have. However, if you become aware that this Joint Project is not doing well... Actually, it may just get trashed.

The person in this book has thought about their current reality and took a step back. This, to THINK about what is happening and root out solutions to concerns that are within their power. Surely consuming more fatty, salty calories than one would burn off in a week, eaten daily, can't be healthy. But it does taste good! TV movies and personal gaming devices are fun, but...

A look into a hypothetical person's years at an Asylum. Sharing both the good and not so good aspects. This story is a mind-bending look into a reality that isn't all that obscure.

Interesting read by Siggy Galaen - a totally different look into Asylum "culture". Especially provocative for those in the field and students of psychology.

Many Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an abstract look into an important field.

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I give "Escaping the Asylum" 4.5 stars!
I admit that the first half is fairly boring, and the writing is not polished - it sounds like a journal entry rather than a polished book. I even debated quitting. The descriptions of the asylum seem nothing like the asylums I've heard about. But I'm glad I stuck with it! This short but powerful book is definitely worth reading until the end!
Now that I've finished it, I want to read it again. I want to pick up on some of the nuances I missed before but would understand now. In fact, I can't stop thinking about this book. It's an important book for everyone who feels trapped in the mundane and the grind of daily life. Thank you for writing it Siggy Galaen!

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A short story featuring a patient in a mental health facility, we go with the patient and hear his thoughts and impressions as he relates to everything going on around him. A very interesting take on a patient who comes to realize and believe that there is More to life than the activities he is expected to take part in. He starts to keep his thoughts and impressions in a notebook that no one sees, as he longs for time in nature, quiet, even different food than the carbohydrate filled,sweetened choices offered.
Some parts of the book are hard to read, seeming to jump around, but overall a great story of a mental patient who sees things an a different way after years in asylums, just going along.
I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story, and offer my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.

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Well written, interesting, well developed storyline.
Not the best book I've read this year but quite interesting and different in a good way.

ARC received through NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Escaping the Asylum is a good short novella, that takes a bit to get used to the writing. Stick with the writing, the story is interesting.

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A great book, I enjoyed the diary style story and it was interesting to see the personal view of a patient. It had me engaged throughout.
Thank you

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This book was not lacking in action. The plot was well thought out and I would recommend this most of my friends.

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