Dealing with Brain Injury and Mental Illness

In Stephen King’s novel Duma Key, King addresses the difficulty of dealing with a brain injury and mental illness, both for the patient and for those who love them. Edgar, Wireman, and Elizabeth all live with the aftermath of a serious brain injury. Elizabeth additionally is called upon to deal with the indignity of Alzheimer’s disease. Pam, Wireman, and Elizabeth’s family members all react differently to their loved ones as they deal with what has happened to them. King also touches on dealing with depression as Edgar convinces Pam that reaching out to Tom could help to save his life.

Edgar notes at one point that he, Wireman, and Elizabeth all suffered head injuries on the right sides of their heads. He narrates: “I thought that we made quite a trio: the senile woman, the ex-lawyer with...