The Insanity Machine

The Insanity machine is a 2003 autobiography and advocacy material by Canadian authors Kenna McKinnon and Austin Mardon, published by Golden Meteorite Press. It offers a general survey on paranoid schizophrenia, which is a mental illness characterized by heavy delusions, auditory hallucinations and withdrawal from reality. It is a sub-type of schizophrenia as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V). In addition to general information on statistics, available treatments, issues and possible causes of the illness, the book incorporates introspective experiences and suggestions on living with schizophrenia.
Authors
In Kenna’s last undergraduate year at the University of Alberta,1975, her psychotic symptoms began to seize her life. Her symptoms mainly surrounded obsession over gods, demons mostly religiously relevant. In the mist of struggling between medications, personal meaning and suicidal thoughts, Kenna successfully established a medical transcript business of her own. She now devotes herself in helping others with schizophrenia to self-actualize and realize their own personal meaning. Kenna is a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta, Children’s Book Insider.
Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1992, Austin had to withdraw from an expedition research trip to the Antarctica. Coming from a highly educated and academically devoted family, the diagnosis was devastating to his purpose and career. Despite battling with the psychotic symptoms and struggling with interpersonal issues, Austin received The Order of Canada in 2006 and numerous awards for his efforts in advocacy for persons with mental illness. He is currently an adjacent professor at the University of Alberta and holds several scholar titles, including a PhD in Geography from the Greenwich University, Australia.
Background
The book was originally an idea Kenna and another inmate had during her confinement in a psychiatric ward 30 years ago. She then encountered Austin, also diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who has a passion in mental illness advocacy, whom she interviewed and worked closely together in compilation of the text. In Kenna’s own words, the book ‘is to offer hope to those who read this book, and elucidation to those ignorant of the wonders and ravages of mental illness; to those employers, friends and family who misunderstood and our fellow travelers.’
Each chapter introduces a new topic paired with a relevant quote. A wide variety of issues are covered in the book such as the definition of and treatment of schizophrenia, homelessness, stigma, roles of stress to the illness, seniors with schizophrenia and mentoring. Written from real-life experience, the topics are addressed with genuine concerns and personal dealings.
Furthermore, the later chapters focus on proactive ways that allies can help and suggestions that persons with schizophrenia can try in order to live meaningfully within the limitations of schizophrenia.

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