Closing the Chasm: Letters from a Bipolar Physician to His Son [Paperback]

Benjamin Diven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2009

What would it be like to be a physician with a major mental illness? You would have all the challenges of medical practice complicated by moods that swung from high to low and back again. What if you were also struggling to be a husband and a father? In this engaging and at times intimate look into life with bipolar disorder Dr. Diven offers insights into symptoms and problems living with this mental illness. There are discussions of family life and near suicide, medications and therapy, and complications and successes. Sometimes comical and often serious vignettes of common experiences with other bipolar patients are explored or explained. Written in the form of letters to his eldest child the story is warmly personal while adding a professional's insight. Excellent reading for anyone interested in a fascinating biography this book also serves as an open look into manic-depressive illness for persons with similar struggles or the loved ones of a mentally ill person.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse.com (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595481094
• ISBN-13: 978-0595481095
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Benjamin Diven, M.D. was born in rural Illinois in 1954. He has lived most of his life in southern New Mexico. Married to Elinor they have three adult children. An unlikely candidate for a writer Dr. Diven nevertheless persevered through his many moods to produce Closing the Chasm: Letters from a bipolar physician to his son. Dr. Diven's elder son and receiver of the letters, Matt, expresses mixed feelings about the book. He has a sharp recall of many of the crazier events and behaviors surrounding his father over the years and voices his opinion. He does state his father's disorder helped put some "fun" into his "dysfunctional" family life at times. That, he says, was not always the case. Closing the Chasm is a very personal and in many ways courageous book about life with a major mental illness. The stories chronicled are many and varied and show the impact of the disorder on both Dr. Diven and the persons around him. It is illustrated. A fascinating read.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read!", February 19, 2009

By 

B. Williams (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Closing the Chasm: Letters from a Bipolar Physician to His Son (Paperback)

If you've ever wondered what it is like to live with a mental illness, or you know someone who suffers with one and would like to better understand the "why" behind his/her behavior, then this gem of a book is a "must read" for you! Compelling, brutally honest, insightful--Closing the Chasm opens a window on the world of mental illness. From the heart knowledge of experiencing the emotional highs and lows to the head knowledge of learning about this disease (the "Five S's"), to the spiritual journey...it's all there. I commend Dr. Diven for his professional courage in writing this book--physicians aren't supposed to be sick, right?! Moreover, I thank him for his personal courage because both he and his family are open to to review through this book. Very well done!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant Book, January 30, 2012

By 

BookLoverRome - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closing the Chasm: Letters from a Bipolar Physician to His Son (Paperback)

The author shares his stories and experiences as a physician and as a person suffering from bipolar disorder. Touching book that will open your eyes to the struggles and the hardships of people struggling with bipolar. Dr. Diven should be commended for his honesty and his courage. The letter format of the book makes it much more personal.

Highly recommended Read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Informative Autobiography of a bipolar journey, February 17, 2010

By 

Kaylynn Holloman (in the Great Southwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Closing the Chasm: Letters from a Bipolar Physician to His Son (Paperback)

I read this book because I knew the author. I realized my suspicions that my mother was bi-polar were probably correct after reading this book. In January she was diagnosed as severe bi-polar and began treatment. Very timely. I liked the way this book revealed the fact that individuals with bi-polar can be productive and highly intelligent, while hiding their disease and needing treatment. With 3 members in my family diagnosed as bi-polar over the past few years it helped me tremendously to have a better understanding of this most difficult to treat illness. I am grateful for the way Dr. Diven opened his life up with the hope it would help others recognize that there is help to be had for this situation. It was also an interesting story.