In this third episode of irRegular People, I speak with LJT, author of Practical Blasphemy: The New Testament. Her book is a fictionalized memoir of her suicidal act and subsequent stay at a psych ward.
LJT generously shares with us about her own experiences living with Bi-Polar 2 Disorder with psychosis. We talk about the book itself; the accompanying soundtrack; psych wards; medication; the way Hollywood depicts mental illness; the importance of human connection between patients; the religiosity of psych ward group therapy; living with mental illness; and more.
This book is a masterpiece. It deserves a larger audience of both mental health professionals and serious readers interested in the real experience of someone who suffers from a debilitating mental disorder. LJT’s brilliant use of the written word brings the torment she herself has endured off of the page and into the mind of the reader.
It might be a challenging experience for you, but you will not regret reading this work. This is the kind of vital artistic endeavor that we must insist more people discover. The most essential works of art are often unappreciated at first; this mostly unknown book is a fierce look at suicide, mental illness, and our country’s failed attempts to treat those in great need. It is also, despite its subject matter, wildly entertaining; it is an experience.
Here is the description of the book from the website of its publisher, ANTI-BOOKCLUB:
Amelia Adams, besieged with mental illness that no doctor seems to know how to treat, carefully plans and carries out her suicide. Bleeding in the bathtub of her Chicago apartment, she calls 911 so her roommates do not have to come home to find her body. To her horror, EMTs get there sooner than she bargains for, “save” her life, and deposit her in a psychiatric ward.
Amid the relentless onslaught of unwelcome thoughts, visions, and sound—including ghostly children who urge her to hurt herself and a vicious blind rabbit dipped in tar—Amelia must confront her waking nightmare in a place without escape. This is a personal tale of survival when it is least wanted and a harrowing indictment of our society’s failure to help those who live with mental illness.
Practical Blasphemy: The New Testament heralds a necessary voice in American fiction—one that sheds much-needed light on what it means to live with mental illness and, just possibly, provides a glimmer of hope to those who struggle daily.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
LJT is a writer and musician, author of Practical Blasphemy: The New Testament, and Bitter Herbs of the ANTIBOOKCLUB Global Pandemic Series. You can find her webpage at practicalblasphemy.com, on Twitter @practicalLJT, and she has a poetry account on Instagram @practicalblasphemy. L remains anonymous due to the graphic content of her books. She is a cheerful nihilist who enjoys schadenfreude, dry toast, and delusions of grandeur.
I hope you’ll take the time to check out this book. It’s intense, but it’s also really hard to put down. It’s frightening, funny, sad, and often uplifting. The cast of characters you meet while reading is unforgettable and the way the book is written and edited is unique, creative, and arresting.
As much as Practical Blasphemy is about a suicidal act, it is also about hope. The book’s protagonist, Amelia Adams, learns that with proper treatment and treatment management, she can live a life without wanting to kill herself.
Check out the podcast at the top of this page, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, almost all other podcast apps, and via RSS feed.
Thanks again to LJT for agreeing to talk so openly with me on the podcast. I am truly grateful for the experience.
Yours in Conversation,
Calvin.
EPISODE CREDITS:
Created, produced, hosted, engineered, and edited by Calvin Marty.
Music composed and performed by Calvin Marty.
Trigger Warning voiced by Meghann Marty.
Buy the book HERE.
Find the soundtrack HERE.
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.
The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line connect veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. 1-800-273-8255 Press 1.
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.