The Moon's Last Gasp

About the Author Patrick Tobin was born in County Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland in 1965. He was raised in St Anns in Nottingham after his mother took him and his three older sisters to England. After their father failed to return to their home to their home in Ireland, having left Ireland not long after Patrick was born. His father suffered from schizophrenia and was a chronic alcoholic. His long suffering mother was a devout catholic and seemed determined that her son wouldn't be too influenced by his fathers extravagant behaviour. As he grew up however, it was only by the age of 10 ,not long after his parents were eventually divorced in 1974. That the first real affects were beginning to become apparent to those concerned. He was admitted to a children's psychiatric unit and would be later discharged then re-admitted. He was later sent to a residential school for malajusted children around the age of 13. Blaisdon Hall in Gloucestershire would now become his home for the next three years before leaving aged 16. On his return to Nottingham Patrick almost immediately joined a band and set out on a career in music to his mothers displeasure. Although later he would eventually secure a contract and was signed to MCA in 1987. Unfortunately it was at this time in his life when he was attaining the success he craved. That another heavy breakdown occurred whilst in London recording at MCA studio's. This time he was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder he was aged now 23. The Moons Last Gasp is about what had led up to the breakdowns by detailing a family history of mental health issues and a recurring theme of mental health issues. Patrick's incredible drive for success to attain his fathers love and approval unconditionally took his mind and nearly his life. This is a story of how an environment of violence, alcoholism, sexual abuse and systematic family denial has led to a life of unadulterated suffering, madness and eventually the struggle for the truth and of coarse freedom. However, while in therapy it became apparent that there must have been an early abuse when he was an infant and it was this abuse which is at the core of his psychosis and madness. What's more amazing is the fascinating insight this abuse has given him into his condition and the suffering and compassion for others. It was after a serious attempted suicide and his painful recovery from his own alcoholism and the self destructive way of life. That this book began to be written and the metamorphosis of his life into a dynamic radical philosophy, to "manage" his mental health condition into a realistic way of dealing with the severity of ongoing severe mental health. It is at times extremely sad, yet a humorous style of writing and the sense of humor which shines through. Describing in great detail some of the situations and circumstances which led up to the current diagnosis e now has. It is both entertaining, poignant and a brutally frank account of his existence. It is also a fight for self autonomy and an existential do-it-yourself self analysis. And how to strive to overcome decades of self medicating and turn "what little there is left" into something "that is worth far more than what's gone before." Patrick still lives in Nottingham writes poetry and intends to write a his first fictional novel within the next year.