"An Unquiet Mind" by Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison

[DarkWalker]

Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison is a clinical psychologist whose work focuses on bipolar disorder. She is in a unique position to speak about bipolar, because she suffers from it. My mentor highly recommended her book to me, as it is a memoir that also serves to provide information about the illness (which I have).

From page one, Dr. Jamison introduces us to her world in a nearly poetic way; I questioned at first whether the book could possibly be that informational. Like the hero's journey, however, she sets us up in her "normal world," then brings us over the threshold into this journey.

What I gained from "An Unquiet Mind" is the inspiration to be my own advocate, and to teach others about this illness that affects me. Though Dr. Jamison is a Christian, she never comes across as preachy or ignorantly "faith-based" in her writing or speeches. She recognizes that God has given us logic, and she utilizes it to help others for His glory.

From what I have seen of Dr. Jamison's interviews and other books, she is a humble woman whose approach is gentle and informative. I highly recommend "An Unquiet Mind" for anyone, Christian or otherwise, who is looking to understand bipolar disorder--whether for themselves or because a friend or loved one struggles with the illness.

 

[AirDancer]

I thoroughly agree with your assessment of Dr Jamison's book, "An Unquiet Mind." She openly discusses her battle with bipolar (manic/depression), and has no problems laughing at some of her 'quirks', like buying multitudes of an item when one would have been sufficient.

I read the book in order to understand what my now former daughter-in-law dealt with on a daily basis. It also presented quite well what my son also had to deal with in his efforts to help his wife.

Excellent book.

 

[Deborah13]

Thank you both. We have a family member who also struggles with this. She's a lovely person, this book is on my buy list.

 

[DarkWalker]

Thank you both. We have a family member who also struggles with this. She's a lovely person, this book is on my buy list.

I highly recommend anything by Dr. Jamison, though some of her books can become a bit clinical. This is a good introduction. You might also look into:

• Goodwin, F. K. and Jamison, K. R. Manic-Depressive Illness. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. (Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression). Second edition, 2007.
• Jamison, K. R. Touched With Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. New York: Free Press (Macmillan), 1993.
• Jamison, K. R. Exuberance: The Passion for Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.

Touched With Fire reads more like a clinical textbook, so unless you have a medical background, you may want to familiarize yourself with the disorder thoroughly first. If you ever have any questions, you know where my inbox is.

 

[AirDancer]

The book will help you to understand the family member, Deborah13