An Unquiet Mind : A Memoir of Moods and Madness

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Summary: Extraodinarly Eye-Opening; I know I am not alone anymore!
Review: I can't tell you how much Kay Jamison and myself relate when it comes to Bipolar/Manic Depression. I was in my last semester in college, 11 credits away from graduating from one of the top 10 universities in the US with a degree in Behavioral Nueroscience. Then, I ordered the cassettes because I could not read it. I could not listen to it for more than 20 minutes with out identifying so greatly with her. Eventually I had to turn it off because it was too real and I would cry.I had been taking my medication for 3 years at this time, had been in pyschoanalysis for 9 years...and for the first time...I came out of denial. All of the doctors were telling me I had manic depression and I fought it like a warrior! I was "better" than that. Then, I realized this was me, I was Kay. EVERYTHING she had to say could have come out of my mouth. Specifically, in her chapter of Flights of the mind. My favorite part...she said "There is a particular kind of pain, elation, loneliness, and terror involved in this kind of madness. When you're high it's tremendous.The ideas and feelings are fast and frequent like shooting stars, and you follow them until you find better and brighter ones.Shyness goes, the right words and gestures anre suddenly there, the power to captivate other a felt certainty.There are interests found in uninteresting people.Senuality is pervasive and the desire to deduce and be seduced irresistable.Feelings of ease, intesity, power, well-being, finacial omnipotence, and euphoria pervade one's marrow. But, somewhere, this changes.THe fast ideas are far too fast, and there are far too many; overwhelming confusion replaces clarity.Memory goes.Humor and absorbtion on friends faces are replaced by fear and concern.Everything previously moving with the grain is now against-you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and enmeshed totally int he balckest caves of the mind. You never knew those caves were there. It will never end, for mandness carves it's own reality" After reading this book, it gave me the strengh to take this disease by the hand and work as hard as I could to one day throw it to the side of the road.I have had all my family members read it and they now understand me better. Because we all know, this disease is so hard to explain to someone who is not suffering with it. "Now,I will be the woman I've always wanted to be. Come hell or high water, I will get through this just like Kay Jamison did! Two thumbs up"(Sara,1999)

Rating:
Summary: magnificent
Review: Jamison illustrates her struggles as a victim of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder with unsurpassed skill. This is the best book i've read in at least 5 years. I was impressed with the honesty and candor she conveyed her struggles with the disorder and her life in general. Not only was it a joy to read but it was also very educational and enlightening about the progression of bipolar. A must-read, especially for psychology students.

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Summary: Nothing like what the title implies
Review: I am truly amazed at the number of 5-star reviews here. While, in some ways, this book is well-written and interesting, it doesn't at all deliver what you'd expect from the title. Ms. Jamison is truly accomplished and has many wonderful family members, friends and colleagues. And she tells you this OVER AND OVER again. As I read of her "glorious" travels and "wonderful" colleagues and "seductive" relationships, I keep wondering when she's going to take me down into the depths of her illness and tell me what it's like. I'm more than 2/3 of the way through the book and by now it's clear that she's not. Reading some of the other less than glowing reviews here, confirms that. As one of the other reviewers points out, this book really ought to be called "An Autobiography of Kay Redfield Jamison". Or, perhaps even "The Wonderful Life of Kay Redfield Jamison" - because as I read of her wonderful, joyous experiences, I am continually having to remind myself that this is supposedly a book about someone's miserable experience with mental illness and NOT about her charmed life. While she expounds on the latter, she glosses over the former.

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Summary: One of the best books written on bipolar from one who knows
Review: I had just been diagnosed when I first read Kay's book. I borrowed it from my counselor. Someone who writes down what I personally feel was of enormous benefit to me. I have such great admiration of her. I never knew others experienced the dark side as I do. It was as if a light came on for me. A treasure and a comfort.

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Summary: A heart wrenching story about manic depression
Review: I read this book and wept. My Significant other has just been diagnosed as manic depressive and I found this book to be insightful as well as helpful. It gave me a look into what he is going through in her words. It was a wonderful book that not only is encouraging but also tears at your heart strings

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Summary: Somewhat informative and sympathetic, yet repetitive and...
Review: a little too self-centered. Of course, any book by a m-d disorder sufferer about m-d disorder would necessarily be oriented in in the self. However, KRJ seems bent on repeatedly trotting out her credentials and pedigree to a nauseating extent. I found her to be pretentious.

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Summary: This book saved my life.
Review: Until I read this book I didnt believe my diagnosis of Bi-Polar was correct. After reading the first 10 pages I felt like I was reading my biography. The book saved my life and helped me to understand more about the disease I have.

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Summary: A fascinating insider's account of manic-depression.
Review: This makes for riveting reading for anyone who knows, loves, or cares for someone with manic-depression, or Bipolar Affective Disorder. Dr. Jamison's professional expertise in psychology adds poignant insight into how it feels to be trapped in this illness, with its careening highs and its devastating lows. It will leave you marvelling at how strong the human spirit is, and provides valuable understanding of this condition.

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Summary: This is a terrific book on Manic-depression and how to cope.
Review: I'm just getting interested in bipolar disorders. This book came highly recommended and I understand why. It is terrific. Not too technical, but gives you a clear idea of the different fears, concerns and how to deal. The only area that I wish had more information was the medical therapy. The author uses lithium, and doesn't really address any other mood stabilizers.

Rating:
Summary: inspiring
Review: This book was recommended to me by the mother of a manic-depressive, saying that it was a very accurate description of what the illness is like. I myself am struggling with depression and can only imagine how much more difficult it must be to have this illness. Knowing, however, how Jamison was able to overcome the difficulties it thrust upon her and be so successful has been a great encouragement to me. This is a work of great passion, honesty and bravery, beautifully written (thought with a redundant use of the word "seductive") and, in my opinion, a gift to all who read it.