The Fragility of Light: A Young Woman’s Descent into Madness and Fight for Recovery follows a young woman who, after a series of personal losses, suffers a psychotic break and searches for a path of recovery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My primary inspiration was to entertain and inform readers in a way that conveys empathy and compassion for those who suffer from serious mental illness. I also wanted to shed light on an underrepresented psychiatric disorder while illustrating a realistic clinical presentation and treatment process. In doing so, my hope was to illustrate that, with the right psychosocial treatment and medication, individuals who suffer from serious psychiatric disorders can still live meaningful, productive lives. Sunny struggles with feelings of shame because of her illness and because the people around her don’t fully understand the impacts of her condition.

What is a common misconception you feel people have about mental illness?

I believe there is a tendency to perceive mental and “physical” illness as somehow distinct and disconnected. In doing so, physical/medical illnesses are more generally regarded as beyond a person’s control—such as a diagnosis of cancer or diabetes. Mental illnesses, in contrast, are often seen more as a sign of weakness, rather than diseases with interacting environmental and biochemical causes. Viewing mental disorders in this way provides individuals with a sense of invulnerability (i.e., the “It can’t happen to me” mentality), while also imposing blame on those who suffer. This conceptualization, along with the belief that mentally ill people are dangerous (another misconception), intensifies associated stigma and deters treatment-seeking. For Sunny, accepting and not blaming herself for her disorder were formidable challenges in her recovery.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Stigma is a prevalent theme in the book, as Sunny initially associates schizophrenia with the severely destitute. She is deeply despondent about being branded with such a diagnosis, believing it signifies the end of her career and marriage. We also see how stigma affects Joshua in the workplace, Debbie’s beliefs about mental illness, and some of Elizabeth’s concerns for her best friend.

Intergenerational trauma takes two forms in the story: that which is experienced by descendants of Holocaust victims and that which is experienced by families with a lineage of mental illness. Grappling with both sources of trauma leaves Sunny vulnerable to various psychological difficulties. Peter also experiences intergenerational trauma as he conveys the embarrassment, confusion, and anxiety associated with being raised by two Holocaust survivors.

Consistent with the title, there is an overarching theme regarding the fragility of that which we often take for granted. Light is a metaphor for psychological well-being, contentment, and serenity. It also symbolizes peace and goodness. Those struggling with serious mental disorders, or those who have been robbed of their freedom, understand the pervasiveness of darkness. They understand the fragility of those things held most dear.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

A writer doesn’t always divulge such details 🙂 But, in keeping with my interests and expertise, I believe it will entail another realistic depiction of serious mental illness (not a psychotic disorder this time), delving into the complicated interaction of genes, personality, and environmental/family factors and their impact on adult symptomatology and functioning.

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