An Unsettled Mind by Kay Jamison and Brilliant Madness by Patty Duke are both classic older books about patients dealing with Manic Depressive Disorder [now called Bi-Polar disorder].
I read them recently, because they have been re-released despite their dated medical information.
Both books describe the challenge of leading a normal life with a major mental health problem. Ms. Jamison is a psychologist who is very straight forward about how her illness effects her. Ms. Duke's narrative is interspersed with material from her co-author who is a psychologist. The medical material covers personality types, symptoms of manic depression, treatment and outcomes in easy to understand terms.
Both women are wonderful creative and intelligent personalities. In the manic phase they are energetic and productive until the mania goes over the edge into madness. The manias are addictive highs. Before the crash, they feel there is nothing they can't do.
After the mania dissolves into a loss of touch with reality, they frequently crash to a horrifying low. Friends and family are steady supports, but the up and down nature of the illness strains support systems. Both authors intend their works to demonstrate that with proper medical attention, and consitient use of the Litium- a very strong and powerful psycho-active drug, patients can lead valuable normal lives.
In Unsettled Mind, patients are counselled not to let people use words such as whacko, nuts, or squirrelly to label them. Manic episodes can be the cause of very abnormal behavior. Re establishing social connections after such an episode can be hard. Through education about the disease and how it works, both the patient and their social circle can create a better environment that supports good mental health.
In modern times, the disorder is called Bipolar Disorder and there are a range of meds which can be used to address the problem.
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