Rattlesnakes on the Floor is a memoir of what the author has gone through in 60 years of living with major mental illness (schizoaffective disorder). It recounts psychotic episodes and strong delusions. The book also explains how some mental health professionals were very far from useful. One Harvard psychiatrist was adamant that the author's problems stemmed from the fact she had been raised in church. In fact, religious life has helped her survive her problems and accomplish many goals. She is now stable on five medications taken daily.