Saturday, April 15, 2017

MADNESS: a bipolar life by Marya Hornbacher

Author of WASTED: a memoir of anorexia and bulimia, Hornbacher, tells the rest of the story. A little precious, a bit self-indulgent, much as her life, there is good content here. However, I didn't feel the depression the way I felt the mania. Perhaps, unable to write during the lows affected the ability to convey them emotionally. Understandable. The mania was well represented, making for an engaging read of well-bred midwestern neurosis gone wrong.

Sort of like Orange is the New Black, I don't doubt the author's depth of experience, but there is some glamourizing of what must have been devastating consequences to self-destructive choices. I guess my main disappointmet is there doesn't seem like there was a growth in self-awareness other than learning to take the meds.

The links to mental health organizations was a nice addition at the end, as was the other research information. It's good that the subject is being explored. Silence continues to be one of the roadblocks to public acceptance.