Customer Reviews

My Mother's BiPolar, So What Am I?

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

i thought this book was an ok start for someone who has not had the opportunity to reflect on how their feelings are a direct result of dealing with a parent of manic depression. however, i was dissappointed that the author did not get into more depth about how she specifically achieved her newfound ability to cope with her mother's illness, especially since she endured abuse. she goes from one extreme to the other-from abuse to a great understanding and acceptance of her mother. this does not seem very realistic to me. what happened in between? how did she get there? that's the meat that could be very helpful. i think that for most people, the illness gets worse with time and it becomes increasingly challenging to deal with the family member. it takes great inner stength and endurance to deal with it especially if you are the only person around to help out.

This is a wonderful book! Having grown up with a bi-polar mother and not knowing much about this disease, i found the book to be such a relief. Knowing that others have grown up with the same, and sometimes worse, circumstances through no fault of their own comforts me. The stories are as interesting as they are well-written. I will surely recommend this book to everyone i know!!

TV and movie media has misrepresented what a bipolar person is really like. This "monster" they have created is not the typical behavior of a person with bipolar-especially if the person is taking their medication. After reading Grett's book, you will feel much better about admitting that you are bipolar or have a bipolar family member. You will also have up-to-date information about bipolar research and practical help for family members who deal with a bipolar loved one. Angela's book shows understanding and compassion as she reveals her own story about her mother. Be sure to visit Angela's website at www.childrenofbipolar.com

This is probably the 1st book I have read hoping to find something I could relate to. I have to admit, it seems as though every case is drastically different--someone might consider my life to be horrific--yet it comes no where close to some of the examples provided within this book--it seems their cases might be excessive or extreme compared to mine so I found it harder to relate to. There are some similarities but not too many--a few line items here and there where I was like 'yup--that's me' but not too many of those. It would have been nice to see a broader range of real-life interviews/examples then the few used. Overall this book left me desiring more. Not the worse book by any means but worth a read through.

Grett's book is not worth the paper it's printed on. As a child who grew up with a bipolar mother, I thought we would have something in common. But unfortunately there is very little in this book that is "normal" experience. Grett's experiences as well as those of other people she interviewed are all completely horrific. Tales of abuse, physical and sexual. Child neglect. And victimization. The idea that she and others, now have healthy relationships with their abusers is appalling.
Besides this, her writing is slipshod at best. She goes on and on about the first time she set a boundry with her mother, but never details the actual experience. Many of her childhood traumas are not even with her mother. It's as if she can't stay on topic. Her main point is to encourage growth and communication, but she discusses very little on how this is achieve, other than to say she's had therapy.

Overall, the book is incredibly repetitive, without having the conversation style that a somewhat autobiographical book should have. There is little focus to the book, and you don't come away feeling as though you've made a friend, you feel as though someone is trying to give you advice when they don't actually know what they're talking about.
Where are the typical experiences? There needs to be ordinary stories, about the bipolar parent speeding in traffic or cleaning the house--not ONLY about how you were always getting beaten. Not all bipolar parents are abusive. Talking about the manipulativeness is helpful. HOWEVER, watch ER and Sally Field will show you are far truer picture of what a bipolar mother is like. One minute happy and cuddly, the next minute angry. I will be returning this book.

The author of this book has done a wonderful job. Thank you so much for all your time that you put into this project. Growing up in the 60's and 70's with a mother that was bipolar was very difficult for me. It is so nice to know that there really are others out there that have experienced some of the same problems as I did. Thank you to all who shared their stories. May God Bless you all.

This book is very beneficial for any child of a bipolar parent. It provides much insight into the disease and strategies to deal with your parent. I found the stories from other adult children of bipolar parents to be most helpful- it was like attending a support group.

Having lived through the nightmare of a loved one becoming mentally ill, I found the book very helpful. Finally the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Thank You!