Out of the Madhouse tells the story of Michael Maitland, and that of his family – dad Iain, mum Tracey, younger sister Sophie and younger brother Adam, plus Bernard the family dog.

Michael went to university in 2007 to do a degree in Illustration and, whilst there, he suffered from depression and anxiety which led eventually to anorexia and, finally, hospital and the Priory.

That’s where our story begins, in the Priory in the late autumn of 2012. It is a story with a mix of happy and sad times, highs and lows – and tragedy. The story comes to an end in 2017.

The book is divided into three parts – Into the Priory, Going Home and Inside the Maitland Family. Michael’s diary and notes form the backbone of much of the book and let fellow sufferers and their parents and loved ones see inside the head of someone with mental illness and understand how they think and feel.

Alternating with Michael’s words, I write about the effects upon and feelings of the family – if you have a loved one with mental illness, you are not alone and will recognise much of what our family experienced over the years. I also offer self-help thoughts and ideas through the book that will help those with mental health issues, and those who love them, to manage depression and anxiety and related issues.

This is a memoir, a self-help guide and more – happiness, sadness, stupidity, regret, pain, shame, embarrassment and so many other emotions are all here. So too is love – angry, frustrated, irritated, worried and more – but always love. It is a strong and golden thread that runs from the start, right the way through to the end, and beyond.