Customer Reviews

Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illness

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Patty Duke has brought bipolar affective disorder (Manic Depression) "out of the closet" and given those with the illness better insight into why they feel the way they do. Co-authoring with a medical writer was a *brilliant* idea. We read Patty's story, then we read the medical side of the story. The only thing I found disturbing was, like Dr Kay Jamison, Patty claims a Lithium a day does the trick. This can be misleading when many bipolars have to have meds assessed and re-assessed many many times. This gives the reader the undertone that if you're not a Lithium-responder, you're not quite right. Otherwise, an excellent book on the topic!

Patty Duke's book A Brilliant Madness is the first real good information about bi-polar disorder I have been able to put my hands on! The medical backup informatiom that Gloria Hochman contributes has given me an almost umlimited list of resources to also turn to. I read this book because my 9yr old son and my current husband are both diagnosed as bi-polar, but as I read this intense book I was amazed by feelings of fear, relief, sadness, and anger. I was able to relate to much of what I read and began to see myself which is scary. I now want to find help for all of us as our area is devoid of support groups and other local means of coping with this illness. This book is truly "Brilliant" in both the writing style and the content and has given me some hope in an otherwise bleak future. I strongly recomend this book to anyone where Manic Depression has touched their lives.

Several yeas ago I bought this book because I believed my mother had Bipolar dissorder. I read this book and as I read it I realized not only did I see my own mother in this book, but I also saw myself. ALL my life I knew I was "different", and knew something just wasn't right. But when I read about Patty Duke and her own mood swings I knew I had bipolar dissorder. So I went to my doctor and handed him the book and said "I think I have this"...he asked many questions and in the end agreed with me, put me on lithium and from that day forward my life changed. Patty Duke's words saved my life.

Her own story should be an encouragement to all who suffer from this horrible mental illness. She helped to break the stereotypes that go along with mental illness...I thank her for that, and for helping me to finally get a name to what was wrong with me all my life!

Having a child with manic depressive illness was an unexpected event to say the least. This book put all I needed to know about being bi-polar into an easy to read and understand read. I run a support group for parents of bi-polar children and I advise them all to read this book before deciding if their child does or dosen't have this illness..They are usually all amazed how similar their children are to this book.

Patty Duke's book is entertaining because she had a true Hollywood background. Contrary to some reviews that criticized her writing style, I thought it was clear, warm and easy to read. The informative chapters are the best I've ever read about manic depressive illness and the footnotes and research listed are exhaustive. This book was co-authored by another talented lady. I'm bipolar and if I'd have to choose a book that best describes this illness, I'd choose this. She has the spirit of a loving mother reaching out to make you feel better.

This very personal testimony by a well known personality is very accessible to people with a range of understandings and offers good explanations of the medical side of things.

Unfortunately there are vast numbers of people out there with this illness who never come to accept the reality of it, and as a result destroy themselves and their loved ones. Sadly, books on this subject seem never to be able to speak to such people, and this one is no different.

Am I therefore criticising it for not being all things to all people? Maybe, but I crave the book which will speak to the person I love and care for, and this is not it, nor have I found such a book. My search, and my despair continue...

This book is easy to read and a good place to start if you know nothing about Biploar / Manic-Depressive Illless, especially if you have enjoyed Patty Duke's career. I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars because the book and the information it offers are old, and it is only a place to start. There are many other excellent reference books that you will want to keep handy. This is one to read, and then pass along to someone else. However, I recommend it.

The reality of living with manic-depressive illness, whether it be you or someone you love, is driven home by Patty Duke's extreme symptoms of this disorder. This book is basically an autobiography of her life but it is also much more. It is very easy to read and informative on the types of bipolar mood swings, the different medications and how they work, which is very helpful to the average person who doesn't understand medical terminology! (like me). I never cared much for The Patty Duke Show, but now have a profound respect for her after reading her history and how she survived. Toward the end of the book are important chapters for spouses, siblings, children, friends and anyone who lives with or cares for a person with bipolar disorder on effective ways to help cope with the stress and therapy. Cases are cited in detailed on "victories" and "failures". It is easy to see where one can work on changing their own reactions to helping the one they care about. This is the first book I have ever seen my husband read in 2 days; he could not put it down. Afterward, he looked at me and started treating me in a new light. I think we will be one of the "victories!"

I wasn't diagnosed officially with Bipolar II until Wednesday, March 27, 2003, but I'd already had this book for almost ten years at that point...because I'd suspected that I was a manic-depressive since 1991, after seeing a segment about both Bipolar and ADHD on ABC's "20/20" and the follow-up on ABC's "Nightline" that same night.

I had been self-medicating with marijuana for years until I was officially diagnosed, and I was then put on MY miracle drug -- Depakote ER, 500 mg tablets, take 4 every night...and for me, life is all right.

This book really helped me out a lot before I was diagnosed (with the RIGHT diagnosis, finally!) and it helped me out a lot afterwards.

I'd like to give it five stars, but I think that it needs updated with new information about Bipolar-type illnesses as it becomes known, and at least list a few of the resources that are available on the Internet, which did exist at the time the book was written, but was really only used by computer geeks and had never been heard of by the general public at the time this book was published.

It is a great starting point, however, if you need information on Bipolar illnesses (which there are quite a few of), and how a Bipolar or Bipolar II person acts, and why they do the things they do.

When I read this book originally, I saw myself in those pages, but I couldn't get any psychologist or psychiatrist to listen to me.

Thank the Goddess someone finally did! Stability is great :)

A Brilliant Madness is helping me through some ofthe saddest days of my life. I fell in love with someone who is bipolar, and our relationship is currently on a fast track to oblivion. Reading this book is helping me understand the illness as well as feelings of those who suffer from the disease and those who love them. There are no easy answers. The frankness with which Patty Duke discusses her life and the facts in alternating chapters are helping me focus on what is possible in a relationship and what the limitations may be. Thank you so much for your insights.