Book Discussion Unshrunk, by Laura Delano
Author Laura Delano will discuss her new book, “Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistant,” on Monday, May 12, at 7 pm in our Program Room, Radcliffe Building, Perrot Memorial Library.
Is it possible that psychiatry’s medication-based standard of care is making some people sick? At age fourteen, Laura Delano saw her first psychiatrist. It wouldn’t be her last. At school, Delano earned straight-As, a national squash ranking, and was elected class president; at home, however, the scene was troubling: full of rage and despair, she would lash out at her family, lock herself in her bedroom, and obsess over death. Delano was struggling but not without diagnosis: bipolar disorder, her psychiatrist said, immediately starting her on a mood stabilizer and antidepressant.
For the next thirteen years, Delano lived in the clutch of psychiatry and prescription drugs, seeking treatment from the best psychiatrists and hospitals in the country, accumulating a long list of diagnoses and a cabinet full of medications. Delano had questions about her diagnosis and treatment but, given her struggles and suicidal tendencies, adhered to the pharmaceutical regimen (nineteen different drugs over time) she’d been told was necessary to manage her “incurable, lifelong disease.” When her symptoms only worsened, doctors declared her condition so severe as to be “treatment resistant.”
Demoralized by her circumstances and inability to get well, Delano went back to her lingering questions about her initial and subsequent diagnosis. What if her life was falling apart not despite her treatment, but because of it? After years of faithful patienthood, Delano realized there was one thing she hadn’t tried—leaving behind their prescription drugs and psychiatric diagnoses. This decision would mean unlearning everything experts had told her about her body, mind, and self. It meant exploring in full the terrifying unknowns of an unmedicated life.
Weaving Delano’s long personal struggles with medical records, doctors’ notes, an investigation of modern psychiatry, and research on the drugs she was prescribed, Unshrunk questions the dominant, rarely critiqued role that the American mental health and the pharmaceutical industries play in shaping in our wellness and what it means to be human.
Laura Delano is a writer, speaker, and consultant, and the founder of Inner Compass Initiative, a charitable organization that helps people make informed choices about psychiatric diagnoses, drugs, and drug withdrawal. She is a leading voice in the international movement to offer patients an alternative to the medicalized, professionalized mental health industry. Delano works with individuals and families around the world who are seeking guidance and support during their withdrawal journeys and in their post-psychiatric lives. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and children.
Registration is required. To register, click here.
To reserve a copy of the book from our catalog, click here. To purchase a copy of the book from Athena Books, click here.
For more information, contact Lisa Thomas at 203-637-1066 x20 or lisat@perrotlibrary.org.
Purls of Wisdom: An Evening Knitting Group
Calling knitters experienced and new to the craft! Join us on the second Tuesday of each month for our evening knitting group, “Purls of Wisdom.” Our next session will be Tuesday, May 13th, at 6 pm in our Rand Room, Waid Building, Perrot Memorial Library.
Knitting is better when we do it together! Knitting in a group can increase your confidence, creativity, and willingness to take risks. Bring your own pattern and supplies and join our friendly group, facilitated by experienced knitter, Miriam Kliewe, who can offer project support and troubleshooting.
Miriam has been knitting for more than 30 years and has a lifetime of mistakes under her belt. She has guided children, teens, and adults on their knitting adventures and will cheerfully unravel any project to get to that one mistake.
Registration is required. Class is limited to the first 12 registrants. Please register here.
For more information, contact Judy Sgammato at 203-637-1066 x15 or at judys@perrotlibrary.org.
Chinese Brush Painting Class, with Artist Sinrong Chen
Discover the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and painting in this engaging class! Artist Sinrong Chen will provide instruction in Chinese Brush Painting on Wednesday, May 14, from 1 to 3 pm in the Program Room, Radcliffe Building, Perrot Memorial Library. She’ll focus on the unique strokes and techniques that form the foundation of these timeless art forms. Through hands-on practice and discussions, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the artistry behind Chinese brushwork and learn to create your own expressive pieces. Perfect for beginners and art enthusiasts alike, this session invites you to explore creativity and tradition in a fun and inspiring way!
Sinrong is an artist specializing in Chinese calligraphy, painting, and watercolor. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Arts from the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan, where she studied extensively to refine her craft. With over 20 years’ of teaching experience, Sinrong has shared her passion for art with students of all ages. She has taught at various institutions in the Westchester area and at The Asian Brush Artists Guild. Also, she has conducted workshops at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, JCC Mid-Westchester, and North Westchester Chinese School. Through her classes and workshops, Sinrong aims to inspire creativity, connect people with traditional art forms, and encourage a deeper appreciation for the beauty of Asian brush art and watercolor painting.
Visit Ms. Chen’s Instagram page to view some of her work.
Registration is required. Click here to register.
For more information, contact Lisa Thomas at 203-637-1066 x20 or lisat@perrotlibrary.org.
