Who's Read An Unquiet Mind?

I just finished it. My impressions: She is a remarkable writer- several $15 dollar words that I had to look up! That's unusual for me. She explained things that were in terms I could understand - maybe because Ive got "it", too? Her insistance of calling it "manic depressive illness"; she even goes on to explain why. To me, "manic depression" describes part of it- but there's so much MORE to it - such as delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Bipolar tells you there are at least two opposite ends of the disease but leaves room for all the little inbetween bits. All in all, I loved the book. I have respect for her journey. Probably the best memoir I've read about bipolar. I am left with a feeling of hope and maybe I don't "need" to know what's "worse" than what I've already experienced in my life re bipolar.

I read it a few years ago after I was diagnosed. I find I can usually take away something from reading or hearing another persons story. We’re all unique but there is also a lot of overlap of symptoms and experiences that make it relatable.

I read it in 2011 when I was first diagnosed. I liked it.

I loved the book. It made me feel that I am not alone and inspired me to not give up.

I thought it was very creatively and well written, with some spot on descriptions of episodes. I'm glad she wrote about her struggles with Lithium and medication compliance and how she came to peace with the disorder and found the right medication dosage.

I am still curious how she managed to progress through school (undergrad, grad, then beyond) and work with so few needs for disability breaks. Or at least that was never mentioned sufficiently in the book. I know she had excellent support, but did she really go and teach lectures in severe mental states? Also, a couple times she mentioned people being afraid of portions of her episodes, but the impact on her social life/relationships seemed so little. Is Lithium the only medication she has ever needed? If so, lucky her! Actually, I still have a number of questions about her experience.

Reading Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir makes it clear to me that we do all share some similarities in experience, but also differences, too.

She did mention napping on her office couch when depressed - putting a do not disturb sign up but that sounded like every once in a while- not weeks straight. Even if it were, I don't understand how nobody called her on her lack of production. Apparently she was just productive enough to not raise any red flags. All that lecturing and research - depression or mania nor the episodes of psychosis slowed her down. Never too out of it to perform. She did have one guy she dated who, when he found out about her bipolar, dumped her. But all we know is what she chose to write.

never heard of this book. going to look it up at my local library or put a hold on it. thanks!

I have the book, but I haven’t read it yet. I picked it up for $1 from a Friends of the Library bookstore. Glad to hear it’s a good read.

I think you're spot on in that she chose to write only some, but not all of what she experienced. If that is indeed the case, I assume it's because she felt there was a line between what she could and couldn't get away with, given her profession. Or, she had a line she drew for herself alone. She emphasized in the book how stiff and reserved, for lack of better words, her upbringing was. Despite her poetic descriptions and attempt to share, I still sensed a reservedness or distance. I don't really hold that against her. Actually, I applaud her for doing her best to step beyond that, and of course her courage to publish what she did when she did.

I've watched a few of her lectures at universities on Youtube. I've also read most of her other books. She usually just reads out of her books and when she answers other types of questions beyond them, she does so as a professor of psychology and not as much a person with bipolar disorder type 1. There is mystery with her. I once wrote a letter to her asking deeper questions, but never ended up sending it. I sort of doubt I'd ever get a real response.

Of course there is part of me that is a bit jealous of her fame and success, while I have struggled much more and lost my career and friends. I know I've had even more challenges than her, at least in some ways.No one should ever feel jealous of the more incredible "bipolar success stories" that are often highlighted in places like bp Magazine. I'm not saying that everyone can't have success or great success, but success is something we have to look at in comparison to what we've been through, and how far we've come for ourselves. It's a matter of perception and self realization in ways that we value or must learn to value. A deeper type of message that I was looking for in Kay R-J's book is not so present, or at least seems cloudy to me.

If she has indeed only ever taken Lithium, I see her as being so incredibly "classic bipolar type 1" that she seems more unlike many of us, than like.I think what was considered "classic bipolar type 1" is not nearly as common as it was thought to be.

I feel similarly about most all movies and TV depictions of bipolar disorder. There's obviously a lot of misrepresentations in them, and everyone wants to see some major dramatic ending.

I'm not a fan of Silver Lining Playbook either, but I wouldn't mind a day smooching with Bradley Cooper. People laud that movie so much. I'll agree it was great for the box office (and Jennifer Lawrence's career), but not so great as a bipolar movie, in my view. When I've mentioned this in the past, I get some backlash. I don't really care. I think Bradley's depiction of mental illness was much more significant in A Star is Born. Of course I'd rather see success stories, than death, but I'd like to see another one that isn't so Hollywood trite as the one in Silver Linings.

I find extreme value in the sharing of feelings, struggles, successes, and more, on forums like this than in most of the bipolar memoirs I've read. For that, I thank everyone here.