What happens when a loved one lives for decades with untreated schizophrenia, hidden in plain sight within their own home?

At Home with Schizophrenia is Margaret Hawkins’ moving account of her sister Barb’s 30-year struggle with undiagnosed severe mental illness, and the extraordinary recovery that began only after their parents’ death.

Hawkins writes with honesty, empathy, and flashes of humor as she explores the secrecy and stigma that silenced her family, the deep love that carried them through, and the dedicated professionals who helped Barb reclaim her life. Her story sheds light on the realities of mental illness while affirming the hope made possible by diagnosis, treatment, and care.

Ideal for students and professionals in social work, psychology, counseling, disability studies, and family studies, as well as families and advocates seeking greater understanding of schizophrenia and recovery.

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Copyright Page
• Acknowledgments
• Abstract
• Learning objectives
• Table of Contents
• List of Photos
• Part I 1943–2006
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Chapter 18
  • Chapter 19
  • Chapter 20
  • Chapter 21
    • March 19, 1998
    • March 22, 1998
    • April 7, 1998
    • December 15, 1998
    • June 1, 1999
    • June 29, 1999
    • July 24, 1999
  • Chapter 22
  • Chapter 23
  • Chapter 24
  • Chapter 25
  • Chapter 26
  • Chapter 27
  • Chapter 28
• Part II 2007
  • January
  • February
  • March 1
  • March 2–31
    • March 6: Day 6
    • March 9: Day 9
    • March 11: Day 11
    • March 12: Day 12
    • March 25: Day 25
    • March 28: Day 28
    • March 30: Day 30
  • April
    • People Who Died
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
    • October 19
    • Ways in Which Barb Is Like Newman, My Cat
  • November
  • December
• Epilog 2025
• Discussions Questions
• Index

Margaret Hawkins is a writer, arts journalist, and teacher whose work spans fiction, memoir, and essays, with publications in leading outlets and a focus on art, ideas, and mental health.

Praise for At Home with Schizophrenia: A Family's Journey

My advice: Read this book. If your light isn’t blown into flame after reading it the first time, read it again. Then buy it for a friend. As a thank you gift.

–Carolyn S. Spiro, MD, coauthor of Divided Minds

In writing this compelling and beautiful book, Margaret Hawkins joins pioneers in truth like John Nash of A Beautiful Mind, opening another door on this strangely dark place and allowing the light of experience to shed understanding and compassion.

–Judy Collins, singer/songwriter, social activist

This is a heartwarming story of a family’s struggle to come to terms with severe mental illness and find hope and love on the other side.  What it shows us, once again, is that most of what we think we know about mental illness is just plain wrong.

―Mark Vonnegut, author of The Eden Express and Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So

A beautifully crafted story of immense compassion and subtle humor that held me in thrall from the first page to the last.

―Margaret Moorman, author of My Sister’s Keeper

What we see so vividly through these pages is that mental illness is treatable, the biggest obstacle being fear and ignorance. 

―Richard K Baer, MD, author of Switching Time

This rare story should inspire America's 3 million affected families to keep the faith. 

―Patrick Tracey, author of Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family's Schizophrenia

Ed. Note: Reviews are based on an earlier version of this book published in 2010, How We Got Barb Back: The Story of My Sister’s Reawakening After 30 Years of Schizophrenia (and the paperback reissue, After Schizophrenia).