How does a person make sense of their life when things begin to go bad? Editors George Howard and Edward Delgado-Romero posed this question to several psychologists, counselors, and therapists, to have them talk about a time in their lives when things began to go bad. When Things Begin to Go Bad presents thirteen personal narratives focused on hope—rather than despair and darkness—and deals with issues including health problems, racism, homophobia, disability, dysfunction, and death. The hope generated by these stories provides a realistic and mature trust that there is something to be learned when dealing with difficult issues. These inspiring stories provide fresh insight into how people can make sense of difficulties through the writing of personal narratives. The stories included in this volume have an application for psychological treatment and research, and represent a chance for people to relate their stories to those of others.

Contributions by: George S. Howard, Edward Delgado-Romero, Amy Heesacker, Mary Fukuyama, Woodrow M. Parker, Susan Morrow, Jesse Aros, Gargi Roysircar, Luis Rivas, Michael Murphy, Cindy Anderson Keene