Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource for anyone dealing with bipolar disorder
Review: Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and co-author of the standard medical text, Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison is more than a widely recognized expert in the field of manic-depressive illness; she lives it. In AN UNQUIET MIND, Jamison shares the pain and pleasure of depression and mania in a poignant, honest account of living with mental illness. Manic depression kills tens of thousands of people every year, and profoundly touches thousands more. Jamison describes manic depression as "seductively complicated, a distillation both of what is finest in our natures, and of what is most dangerous." While biological in origin, manic depression manifests itself as mental illness, undermining the very foundations of one's existence; yet manic depression can also become the impetus of the greatest creative energy. Indeed, Jamison explains that these creative, manic phases that present themselves as seductive, discouraging treatment for fear of loss of energy, inventiveness and insight. Certainly, gentle intensity brings tremendous reward, but out of control it leads to frenetic episodes and eventual insanity. With medication, manic depression is frequently a controllable illness. Despite this fact, Jamison examines her own reluctance to take medication that inhibits one's energy levels and creativity. Further, she examines the process of accepting the illness and the necessity of treatment, particularly from the viewpoint of one that offers help, but does not wish to receive it. Jamison writes with a unique viewpoint, as that of a healer and as a patient. In often times lyrical language, she exposes the world of mental illness complete with the fear and insecurity that accompanies it. In addition, she offers her experience as a message of hope. Despite periods of psychotic episodes, deep depressions, and a suicide attempt, Jamison is a highly successful woman with a life in academia and a full, loving personal life. In a world filled with books about mental illness, Jamison offers stronger hope, based on fact, than any other author that I have yet encountered. Very highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent life report
Review: A highly qualified and highly talented young woman must recognize, that her intense mood fluctuations between euphoria with manic phases and deep depression are a disease. This is very hard to accept. The fact that she is a psychiatrist makes it not easier to come to this look and to draw consequences. The most difficult consequence: The taking of an effective simple medication which however has considerable side effects. It is lithium salts, these at first having to be taken in a high dosage at her special illness. Reductions in the ability to see and to the concentration ability are such side affects. This medication is very effective. Ms. Jamison nevertheless removes it again and again because of this side effects and the secret hope of getting back to the euphoric feelings during manic phase. The result is frightfully. Even suizid is tried in a desperate condition. She is convinced in the end that it doesn't work without lithium. After a long time of taking Lithium she can reduce the dose considerably, reducing at ones the side effects. The descriptions of her live with Lithium are very clearly and excellent. The meetings with her male friends who very understandingly meet her (except for one exception) are described plastically. Unfortunately, the positive effects of a psychotherapy are only named but not described. The American author writes from a time there were still few experiences with the lithium therapy at the manic depressive illness in the USA. There are fundamentally more experiences at least in Europe today. The book still seems very up-to-date since it describes the difficulties to accept an emotional illness and to confront the environment with the illness.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful world of manic-depression
Review: This subject matter is one that I was researching in order to get an honest portrayal of what it is like for a person to live with this disease, but this book was not it. What I got were glowing platitudes about her many friends who supported her, her travels and romances, and how she grieved the loss of those marvelous highs when she was manic. There is hardly a word about the cost to her in terms of her personal relationships as there is not one instance in which she may have alienated friends and family because of her disease. Instead everyone was so understanding, even in her professional life. Despite a suicide attempt, I got no picture of what this disease has truly cost her. I also wondered with her many detailed scenes of drinking alcohol, if she ever considered that that was exacerbating her symptoms or the efficacy of her medication. She seems to spend far too much time ruminating about her disease and glorifying it, and not enough time in the solutions.
Rating: 
Summary: Not your everyday manic-depressive.
Review: This is a wonderful memoir. It is a truly brave and beautiful confessional piece, and it is a brilliant portrait of the human condition, of those essential and elusive things that make life worth living. The book, however, is not perfect. As much as I hate to be critical--I understand Dr. Jamison's enormous pain and her sense of personal pride and entitlement--it is impossible to read this book without becoming aware of the author's position of phenomenal social, professional, and economic advantage. This memoir, in a sense, is manic-depressive illness for the charmed life. I can't help but wonder how the reader is supposed to feel about the lonely and the poor, who also happen to be terribly ill. Most who read this book are not going to have access to the very best psychiatrists; have the unswerving support of a loving family; have the pleasant memories inherent to a blissful childhood; have the opportunity for grand tours of England while on year-long sabbatical leave; have the benefit of an understanding, dynamic, and brilliant professional community; have a world-wide network of well educated and well connected friends; possess the steely work ethic inspired by a WASPy military upbringing; or be blessed with the God-given intellectual talents and physical beauty so helpful to a thriving love life. Many readers won't even have medical insurance. Granted, this is a memoir and not a self-help guide. It is not intended to be a popular manual, but the narrative can be both sympathetic and shamelessly conceited, both poetic and aloof. I'm proud of Dr. Jamison for her achievements, and I'm truly delighted that she has made a wonderful life for herself despite her exceptional difficulties. But I can't help but think that some readers might be a bit resentful.
Rating:
Summary: A narrow lens
Review: This is bipolar illness through a narrow lens - the lens of a woman firmly entrenched in the psychiatric world, where treatment options seem to only fall between medication and psychotherapy. Dr. Jamison's description of her journey with bipolar disorder will be helpful to you especially if you are trying to understand what living in bipolarville is like (ie, you are not bipolar.) However if you are bipolar and looking for information on living with yourself, this doesn't quite do it. Most people wanting to 'come out' with their bipolarness don't have the luxury of doing so among psychiatric professionals as their colleagues, or taking year-long sabbaticals. However the comfort of reading the story of a kindred spirit may be enough for you, especially if you are newly diagnosed. I appreciate how hard it was for her to come out, regardless of how much support she had. I found it disappointing that Dr. Jamison doesn't seem to have any interest in solutions beyond psychiatry and medication. Many of us have found that even on medication, we need to make major lifestyle changes - regular sleep, avoiding sugar and alcohol, meditation/prayer, exercise - all play a huge part in staying healthy. There is no discussion of these things or of any possible spiritual component. My favorite part of the book was the epilogue where she discusses whether she would choose to be bipolar if she had been given a choice. It touches on some of the aspects of the disorder that I find most intriguing - are we bipolars contributing something unique to the planet? Is there some meaning to our madness? I hope Dr. Jamison continues on her journey and begins to explore the "extrapsychiatric' aspects of it. I'd look forward to reading that.
Rating:
Summary: Book gives hope to someone who was just diagnosed Bipolar 2
Review: This book was a wonderful, page turning read. I enjoyed Jamison's conversational tone throughout the book and all of her wonderful insights. I thought that it was an amazing story of triumphing over a crippling disorder, and it gave me hope of living a normal life again. The fact that she has the disorder and treats others with the same disorder gave the book a wonderful two sided view as well.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Ms. Jamison
Review: This could not have been an easy book to write. Ms. Jamison explores her own experiences with manic depression in a graphic and detailed account. As a mental health professional, doing so is even more dangerous. She risks her right to practice clinically and her professional reputation to share with us her thoughts, feelings, and actual relationship with this horrible disease. I believe by doing so, Ms. Jamison has brought this world one step closer to recognizing that mentally ill people are just that, ILL. The stigma surrounding mental illness needs to be erased, and Ms. Jamison has done a fine job of taking a bold step in that direction. I hope this book reaches every single person who ever scoffed at, sneered at, or looked down their noses at depression, mania, or other mental illnesses.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Having read multiple memoirs about living with mood disorders from "Prozac Nation" to "Wasted," I found this book to have added credibility due to Jamison's career as a respected psychiatrist. A close friend who was recent diagnosed as bipolar recommended "An Unquit Mind" to me, explaining that offers both objective information about the disease and a candid and moving depiction of what it is like to live with it. Not only is "An Unquiet Mind" a fascinating and fast read, but also helps remove the stigma attached to those living with bipolar disorder. Jamison proves (to those who aren't already aware of the fact) that many people with mood disorders do not appear "crazy" and have a lot to offer. Beautifully and engagingly written, I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in, living with, or supporting someone who is bipolar.
Rating:
Summary: Quieting the "Unquiet mind"
Review: Dr. Jamison does an excellent job of describing a disorder that I have heard one person say "manic-depression is the disorder to have, it's sooo cool!" What the person had been watching was a psychotic episode of someone in a manic cycle. After reading this book and realizing the struggle, this person changed his tune very quickly. Dr. Jamison gives the most graphic, honest, and accurate account of what someone with Bipolar Disorder goes through and lives to see another day. She is a credit to her profession as well as a shining example to others that a dibilitating disorder does not have to mean death. It is a must read for anyone who suffers from, lives with, or is curious about, Bipolar Disorder.
Rating:
Summary: A book that change my relationship with my Son
Review: My son gave me this book he hoped it would help me understand what life was like for him. After reading it I changed. Our relationship changed I understood what was so hard for him to explain that the moods and feelings he experienced on a daily basis made it hard for him to feel close and accepted by others. My son died not to long after I read this book. I am so grateful to the author because even though the loss is so great that my heart still breaks I know more about what he felt and lived through because of this beautiful book that took courage to write. If you have a loved one that suffers from manic/depression this book can help you or the loved one that has this illness. May the author know that one mothers heart came to understand her son illness through her story and for that I thank her.
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