Many of the antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia have dangerous side effects, some actually induce psychosis and cause heart problems. Mentally ill patients often don’t have the capacity to do so and in the past, the stigma may have prevented families from speaking out. Most illnesses and diseases have ambassadors, people who have them that publicize symptoms, treatments, coping mechanisms and support systems. Hidden Valley Road not only shines a light on the Galvin family and all they went through, but it calls attention to schizophrenia and mental illness, which is gravely needed. Today scientists believe it could be a combination of factors that cause one to think, feel and behave in a certain way to lead to a schizophrenia diagnosis. There have been conflicting theories and philosophies regarding schizophrenia since the 1950s some used to believe it occurred because of how the mother treats a child, some say it is genetically inherited, others think it has environmental triggers, and some attribute it to trauma. After meetings and conversations with many of the relatives over the course of a year, where they willingly shared sensitive, private and medical information freely, Kolker decided he would write the book.
The women were interested in writing a book, but it had been suggested to them that a non-family member telling their story may be a good option. In 2016 Robert Kolker met the Galvin daughters, Margaret and Lindsay to discuss an idea. The Galvins were one of the first families to be studied by scientists associated with the National Institute of Mental Health. Mimi was seen as the perfect mom, known for her recipes and love of the opera. From the outside, they seemed like a great group Don was a professor at a university nearby and he was known to be a falconer, working with falcons. By 1966 they had 10 boys and two girls, and one by one, the boys began to have behavioral problems and were subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. The Galvins were a young Air Force family with three boys living in Colorado in 1951, the new future in the American West.
“Schizophrenia affects an estimated one in 100 people – or more than 3 million people in America, and 82 million people worldwide” In Hidden Valley Road, journalist Robert Kolker documents an American family’s incredible journey as they navigate the effects of mental illness six out of 12 children were diagnosed with schizophrenia, while others experienced sexual abuse and PTSD.
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