July 8th 2009
You might like to hear what a couple of people have said in response to the forum contributions from Lady Colin Campbell and Stella Mazzucchelli on the internet.
The responses show how truthful and informed accounts of relationships or families which have been destructive and debilitating, can reach out and help others. The people who have posted their comments here may individually have different backgrounds, but they have all suffered or experienced at some point mental distress. But that is an experience, as Lady Colin Campbell and Stella Mazzucchelli both say, one can share and then learn to use to move forward.
Alyx's response to Lady Colin Campbell's own contribution on www.mental-health-today.com http://www.mental-health-today.com - Narcissism Forum, shows that narcissists often behave in a similar way and so can be identified… as long as one has the information and support one needs. This is a shortened edited version of her perceptive entry.
I would suggest always do what you feel is right in your own heart. You have to believe that narcissists don't care about you. They only care about themselves, even though they profess they care about you. It is their manipulative nature… I heard a lot of the same c…. you where told: "You can't trust anyone in the world." and "There are no real friends in the world."
Deep down I knew it was wrong. Your own subconscious should tell you what to do. I wish I had learned about NPD in my 20's. I am now 49 and I have just found out about it recently and have been devouring as much information I can from the internet.
My best advice is to read what "ACTUAL" sufferer's of parents who have NPD went through. Those circumstances you can believe. I have read so many devastating stories, some folks were so abused they are totally mental, some suffer NPD themselves, some are shallow representations of themselves due what has been stolen from them. But try to stand up for yourself and always quote what is righteous and normal (even though they won't even listen, it will help you establish sanity from insanity). It won't be easy due to the way they mentally train you through their abuse, but it's the only way to resist them.
A response to Stella's first posting on www.schizophrenia.com http://www.schizophrenia.com about the publication of her book and her hope to reduce the stigma of schizophrenia and mental illness, is also encouraging. Nutsnomore (as she/he says, they have recovered their sense of humour through medication and help) wrote:
Thanks for this Stella. You sound like a brave lady and I will certainly buy your book and let my support group know all about it. It sounds as if it will be helpful. Thanks too for wanting our input. I have found that taking my meds regularly has kept me healthy and balanced. It has even ensured that my sense of humor has returned, as you can see from my username! Good luck with what you are doing. It sounds worthwhile and inspiring.
Dynasty Press
Media Team
_____________
June 26 2009
I thought I'd let you know that Lady Colin Campbell and Stella Mazzucchelli have both contributed to forums on websites dealing with mental health issues which relate to their separate books.
Stella's book, Silk Flowers Never Die, confronts the very difficult situation, and the stigma, of discovering your child suffers from schizophrenia. Georgia Campbell's book, Daughter of Narcissus, is about understanding and surviving the devastating effects of a mother who has narcissistic personality disorder.
As Stella says, on www.schizophrenia.com http://www.schizophrenia.com when her son Fedele was diagnosed as schizophrenic,
I felt that the isolation and lack of help was devastating. Since opening up and inviting others to join my experiences, I have realized that most of those inflicted are extremely sensitive and talented human beings. The only reason that the stigma is stubbornly still attached to mental diseases is through people's ignorance.
In relation to her dysfunctional mother, Georgia Campbell wisely notes on www.mentalhealthtoday.com http://www.mentalhealthtoday.com
Just remember none of us can choose our parents but we can choose what sort of people we wish to become. You have far more control over your own identity than you might realise. Use it wisely and gradually you will see that even painful pasts can become enriching aspects for your present and future.
Both websites have a lot of useful information on them on these important subjects and also forums and discussion groups, where people can connect up, exchange information and advice - and also offer support.
Web details:
www.schizophrenia.com http://www.schizophrenia.com - Main Discussion Area - search: Stella Mazzucchelli
www.mentalhealthtoday.com http://www.mentalhealthtoday.com - Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Family Members - General Discussion.
Tessa Forbes
Dynasty Press
June 13th.
They say you never truly appreciate what you have until it is taken away from you.
Well, freedom of speech and fair play have long been seen as a corner stone of
English culture and history. But things are changing. English PEN, the charity working to promote literature and human rights, and the Index on Censorship, are both concerned about how our libel laws are being interpreted in the courts.
PEN is 'startled by the extent' that UK Libel laws are being used to stifle journalists and publishers from releasing material, which might be contentious to - well someone anyway.
The United Nations committee on human rights in August last year warned that the British libel laws have "…served to discourage critical media reporting on matters of serious public interest, adversely affecting the ability of scholars and journalists to publish their work".
Heady stuff.
The point is that in the UK, the onus is on the plaintiff (the one who initiates a law suit) "…to show only that the statement harms his reputation - which is the case with almost any accusation, true or false."
Not our words, but those of the Wall Street Journal writer Salil Tripathi, who also happens to be on the executive board of English PEN. Tellingly, his article of 4th June is entitled "Britain Chills Free Speech". Read it at:
online.wsj.com/article/SB124406714025182743.html
And, for a start, how can one judge how hurt someone is, or to what degree they feel their 'reputation' has been damaged? Are they just a bit hurt, quite hurt, very hurt, or very, very hurt? And how can that be proved? Yep, it's starting to look silly.
In the US it is quite different. There, plaintiffs have to prove that the defendant's statement is willfully false and defamatory; which seems sound and reasonable.
But at present in the UK anyone with expert lawyers and extensive funds can say that their 'reputation' has been harmed by some article or headline and be taken seriously. As a result, they often receive damages of hundreds or thousands of pounds. Plus legal costs - which again are usually huge. A company has to have a lot of financial clout to risk such a confrontation. Tripathi goes on:
"The mere prospect of possible financial ruin in a process where the cards are stacked in favor of the plaintiff has chilled free speech."
Alarming stuff.
But what has any of this to do with us? you may ask….
Quite a lot.
One of the reasons Dynasty Press was established was to provide a platform for stories and histories which we feel should be heard by a wide public, even though they may confront and challenge the status quo of those with power and influence.
In relation to any individual, both privacy and veracity, as far as it can be known, needs to be respected. But the irony of Dynasty Press's involvement in the libel laws in the UK is that it was the first novel by Lady Colin Campbell, Empress Bianca, which got Lily Safra into such a state that she sued the then publisher, Arcadia, for defamation. And she certainly had the millions to do that. Her claim, unbelievably, was that the main character, Bianca - seductive but a double murderess - was based on her life!
The combination of the history of UK libel law favouring the plaintiff and the sheer financial muscle of Lily Safra, resulted in Arcadia pulping the novel and also agreeing to have no involvement in its future publication.
Game, set and match to Lily Safra and her millions?
Not quite.
Fortunately the gutsy Lady Colin Campbell intervened and in turn threatened to sue Lily Safra. Lady Campbell is very knowledgeable about how the law operates and Mrs Safra knew she was a serious opponent. As a result, good sense prevailed after a pre-trial hearing, when the matter was legally resolved. 'Legally important' changes to the text were made, but these were trivial and minor considering the overall content of the novel - and Bianca was still a double murderess!
Lady Campbell then considered a number of publishing companies to re-publish the novel. She finally settled with Dynasty Press, formed to enable relevant and important memoirs, biographies and histories of those who have been at the heart of power, politics and society, to be heard and read by a wide public: a public eager to be
fully informed so that it can make its own judgements and come to its own conclusions.
So, that's how we are connected with the Wall Street Journal and the current debate over the UK libel laws!
See our Press Release in Articles for more information about the legal case over Empress Bianca, which, incidentally, caused an international furor at the time.
Meanwhile, the book will be released here in the UK in September and there will be interviews and features on Lady Colin Campbell about the legal debacle and how it was resolved.
And this was a novel, not even a memoir, or unauthorized biography! As PEN say - Mightier than the Sword…..
Dynasty Press Team
June 10th.
Hi
There are many ways to communicate, but blogging and contributing to forums is a useful and safe way for people to first express their feelings and share their experiences, as well as finding support for their personal situations.
At present Stella Mazzucchelli is writing on forums at www.schizophrenia.com http://www.schizophrenia.com and Lady Colin Campbell will be contributing to www.mental-health-today http://www.mental-health-today at the narcissistic personality disorder family forum.
Information, knowledge and connecting with people who have undergone similar difficulties really does help one cope with and start to recover from the effects of destructive behaviour. One realises one is not alone and that is a mighty step!
As Stella wrote on www.schizophrenia.com http://www.schizophrenia.com
I could not even spell the word when I was told that my son had schizophrenia! Ten years later I could not rest until I had put my experience on paper and produced my book "Silk Flowers Never Die'. It took me five long years to write, living back the moments of tears, tragedy and loneliness. The reason I wanted to share my story with the world was because I felt very alone during the initial onset of my son's illness.
One of our Dynasty Press team responded to someone at www.mental-health-today.com http://www.mental-health-today.com who had discovered her mother suffered from npd - narcissistic personality disorder.
I am involved in publishing a book about the narcissistic personality disorder of a mother within a family and its devastating effects. The book is called "Daughter of Narcissus" and is by Lady Colin Campbell - who is very accessible, wise and friendly. All I can say from reading the book is that trying to understand the psychological undercurrents that dictate narcissistic behaviour is the first step to being able to cope with the harsh and often cruel consequences of this illness. I hope this helps a little bit.
Articles, interviews and features on the company, the books we are releasing later this year, and our publishing plans for the future will be appearing in the press in the next weeks and months. We should also be connected to Amazon book pages shortly. We will keep you informed.
It's a technical, online world - but one where books and the love of reading of books will never die!
Dynasty Press Team
INTRODUCTION.
23rd May 2009
Welcome to the blog of Dynasty Press which we will be updating each week with news about the company, our authors, the books we are publishing and promoting over the coming weeks and months, and future plans for new titles.
Whenever an interview or feature relating to our publications or authors is about to appear in the press or on radio or TV, we will let you know so you won't miss it. We will also let you know about relevant events and news.
And we hope you will contribute too by letting us know what you think of the company and this new publishing venture.
Dynasty Press.