Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression [Paperback]

Jeff D. Kazmierczak (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967880602 | ISBN-13: 978-0967880600 | Publication Date: August 15, 2000

Between 1% and 5% of the population are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression. Bipolar disorder, typically a permanent illness, causes debilitating depression, mania, and sometimes delusions, all of which devastate the lives of the afflicted, their families, and friends. Sufferers often seek solace through medication, therapy, and the experiences of other manic-depressives. Personal accounts of manic-depression are in demand by the ill, their families, and friends, who seek to better understand and cope with a frustrating road to wellness.

Books about mental illness have steadily become popular and more mainstream, including "Girl Interrupted," which was recently made into a motion picture. Jeff D. Kazmierczak, a survivor of bipolar disorder, has written a unique account of bipolar disorder designed to appeal to manic-depressives, their families, and friends, as well as general readers accustomed to suspense and psychological drama.

The author wrote "Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression" in the unusual format of a novel based on a true story. Most personal accounts of manic-depression present a number of isolated anecdotes. "Neural Misfire" contains one continuous story, which describes the protagonist’s path from the early symptoms of depression, to mania, and finally his initial treatment.

Each chapter is time-stamped to punctuate his behavior over the course of 9 months. The manic-depressive’s raw thoughts are provided in italics, so that the reader may view them alongside his behavior and dialogue. "Neural Misfire’s" novel format affords the reader a comprehensive look at the transformation of a straight-A, happy 19 year-old into a suicidal and then manic young man.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Author Jeff D. Kazmierczak presents a brave and brutally honest novel based on his own true story. He allows the reader to live the actions, dialogue, and thoughts of the bipolar protagonist from his illness onset to initial treatment. Mr. Kazmierczak began writing "Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression" a year after he was first treated, at age 20. Although he had accepted his manic-depressive diagnosis, he was still shocked that his transformation had ever occurred. The author felt compelled to document and make eternally real what otherwise might have been pushed aside or diluted. At the tender age of 20, he captured countless timely details of his tumultuous experience. Ten years later, he became consistently stable and was able to complete "Neural Misfire."

It is rare to find an account of bipolar disorder in the form of a third-person novel, which serves as a popular format for today’s fiction. "Neural Misfire’s" format allows for the separation of the protagonist’s thoughts from the rest of the dialogue and narrative. His thoughts are presented in italics, so that the reader may peer into the inner workings of the protagonist’s diseased mind while simultaneously observing the surrounding storyline.

"Neural Misfire" shows in detail the extreme depressive and manic mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. The protagonist moved from a confident straight-A high-school student, to an insecure college novice, to a deeply depressed young man, to a suicidal ghost of himself, and finally to a manic conquistador—all taking place over only nine months, which are depicted in time-stamped chapters.

His adventures landed him in the college therapist office, the campus police station, a state psychiatric locked ward, jail and court, and a private psychiatric locked ward. He was forced to undergo lithium injection and changed overnight from a manic teen to a docile youth.

From the Author

This novel is based on the true story of the author, Jeff D. Kazmierczak, a survivor of bipolar disorder, more commonly called manic-depression (names and places have been changed). "Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression" offers both a quality work of psychological "true fiction" and a useful tool to assist manic-depressives and their families, as well as mental healthcare providers.

"Neural Misfire" shows, in sequence, what occurred at the earliest signs of the manic-depressive’s illness up to his initial treatment. The manic-depressive’s thoughts, presented in italics, contribute to the reader’s understanding of what went through his mind, as he spoke or otherwise took action at various stages of his illness.

"Neural Misfire" provides a unique, comprehensive look at one bipolar experience. Each manic-depressive follows his or her own path from early symptoms to treatment. "Neural Misfire" is not presented as a universal manic-depressive experience, but it may serve as a general reference tool to better understand the enigmatic nature of manic-depression, and its impact on the afflicted, their families, and the mental healthcare providers who serve them.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Koda Services (August 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967880602
• ISBN-13: 978-0967880600
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neural Misfire, March 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression (Paperback)

Jeff Kazmierczak has written a startling, reality based novel that will knock your socks off...He shares the tortured, ravaging and challenging mood swings that suddenly emerged in his freshman year of college. He also shares the impact this had on his bewildered, but supportive family.

The other complication in his life, being gay, eventually proves to be manageable and actually rewarding, due to his intelligent, tenacious personality. This also adds to a very powerful read.

Anyone who cares about someone with bipolar illness or sho is in a therapy role should absolutely read this. Although this book is at times difficult, it is well worth the time...

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Myth of Madness, September 7, 2000

By 

"bclegrand66" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression (Paperback)

I happen to have the honor of knowing the author, although in limited contact only. Each time I speak with him, he never fails to hold my attention. It is his outlook, perceptions, and energy that captivate me. When he told me he wrote a book that was autobiographical, I was fascinated. He seemed hesitant at first to discuss it's subject matter, but when he saw my interest and enthusiam, he could not contain his need to open his world up to me and invite me to experience a part of it with him. So I purchased the book and began. It starts out with a flash of an all too grim reality of the effect this illness has on one's personality and mood, and how it can hurt and sometimes destroy not only the inflicted but any family and friends involved: the tornado and it's path. And so we begin with a young man trying to discover his identity. He quickly discovers his homosexuality, and accepts this with ease. He seems to exist effortlessly: the calm before the storm. When he begins college, each day brings a new struggle, challenge, adventure. He becomes very uncomfortable with himself, although he has no idea why. The less people understand him, the more superior he feels. This begins his rapid spiralling descent through misery and despair. He can not seem to get along with anyone, including his roommates. He soon finds himself bouncing in and out of institutions, each time learning how to deceive his way out of each one. He intimidates and threatens everyone who loves, supports, and believes in him. He is finally tricked into entering a hospital and begins taking medication in order to control his emotions, his temper, and his life: the storm subsides. This book is an emotional roller coaster. You can't help but just want one person to hear his cry for help, yet all the while you want to knock some sense into him. I really enjoyed reading this book. I always find it fascinating to see life through another person's eyes, and have the opportunity to live someone elses's life, and hopefully walk away with a better understanding...maybe even a greater appreciation for what we each have in our own selves. I am very anxious to sit down with Jeff and discuss the his experiences, and continue the story where the book leaves off... I do recommend this to anyone who knows someone who is suffering from manic depression..or has it themselves. I came away with a much better understanding, and a realization that manic depression is more common than we may think. I'm sure that writing this book was as therapuetic as it was inspiring.! Remember Jeff, you are not alone!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An unusual memoir, March 8, 2003

By 

Avery Z. Conner (West Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression (Paperback)

Jeff has written in unusual memoir about his struggle with bipolar disorder. It's unusual because the style of writing and method of storytelling are both a bit eccentric- this is fine with me but some readers may have a problem with it. I'm a sucker for memoirs and find that they provide insight into mental illness that no textbook will ever capture. Furthermore, I find that every mental illness memoir author has a unique contribution to make. With these two points in mind, I'd recommend this memoir to anyone suffering from bipolar disorder. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".