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559 of 581 found the following review helpful:
 Impressive and enlightening Dec 07, 1999
Over the past 20 years I've had several friends who suffered from manic-depressive illnesses. It's abundantly clear to me that the disease is primarily biochemical and "not their fault." But I had trouble understanding why these people refused to take their medication (or stopped taking it after they started) and otherwise engaged in massive denial. Jamison's frank and well-written book was a revelation: now I feel I have a better sense of the seductiveness of mania, and why creative, intelligent people are often willing to risk the lows of their illness for the sake of the highs. As Jamison points out emphatically, however, the long-term effects of bipolar disorder can be devastating mentally and physically (not to mention the financial and personal fallout) -- hence her crusade to understand the basis of the illness, and learn how to fine-tune the medication so that the sufferer achieves equilibrium without deadening the sensitivity and creativity that often accompany this disease. I'd already read "Night Falls Fast," which is also excellent, but this book set out the personal story behind Jamison's research interests. While she insists that love alone won't cure the disease, it's also clear that, without the love of her loyal friends, this intelligent, talented, and articulate woman might never have made it through the more difficult years, let alone become a respected authority in her profession. Anyone who suffers from bipolar disorders, and those who love them, should read this book.
226 of 238 found the following review helpful:
Manic/Depressive - The Inside View Mar 30, 2001
By Elderbear
What's it like to have an incurable, but manageable disease? One that changes your perceptions of the world around you, loosens your inhibitions or cripples your ability to do anything? Kay Redfield Jamison pours out her experience of living with a mood disorder, using descriptive, image-evoking prose. This book contains her life story, told from the point, not just of a disease sufferer, but also from the standpoint of a healer. Dr. Jamison is both. As a psychotherapist & professor of psychiatry, not only did she write a definitive book on the treatment of manic-depressive illness, but she also suffers from the disease herself. We read her first-person account of how the disease snuck into her life. How parts of it were seductive and alluring, how she enjoyed having the extra energy, the industry; but also how that energy would turn to mania, would be damaging. Then we learn how dark, how bleak the downs could be. She exposes her struggle with medication, how she felt it limited her, how difficult it was to find and maintain the correct dose. We learn about the impact of her disease on her relationships. She examines the path of manic-depressive illness in her life and paints a picture for the reader. One cannot put this book down without being touched. If you, or somebody you know, suffers from a mood disorder, this book is =REQUIRED= reading. If you would like a deep insightful read, not only will you enjoy this book, but you'll come away from it with a new appreciation for living with a chemically balanced brain.
121 of 126 found the following review helpful:
Crucial for Understanding Bipolar Mar 18, 1998
I picked up a copy of this book at an airport bookstore on my way to a job interview. I typically never read autobiographies or memoirs, but the title of this "An Unquiet Mind" resonated so perfectly with the type of hypomania that I experience. I had just been diagnosed and was (am still) dealing with the stigma, questioning, repercussions, misunderstandings, explanations, etc. This book, written by an authority with both clinical and personal knowledge of manic depression, gave me a better understanding of my own condition, as well as the means to educate others (friends, family) who can't grasp that what they thought was me is actually my illness. Jamison's is the best book I have found to date that can provide insight into the lived experience of both mania and depression. I recommend it to anyone in the field of mental health, as well as to those of us diagnosed bipolar and our families and friends. This is definitely crucial reading to develop an understanding of this devastating disorder.
261 of 293 found the following review helpful:
 Not your everyday manic-depressive. Jan 09, 2001
By Jon L. Albee
"Faulkner Wannabe"
This is a wonderful memoir. It is a truly brave and beautiful confessional piece, and it is a brilliant portrait of the human condition, of those essential and elusive things that make life worth living. The book, however, is not perfect. As much as I hate to be critical--I understand Dr. Jamison's enormous pain and her sense of personal pride and entitlement--it is impossible to read this book without becoming aware of the author's position of phenomenal social, professional, and economic advantage. This memoir, in a sense, is manic-depressive illness for the charmed life. I can't help but wonder how the reader is supposed to feel about the lonely and the poor, who also happen to be terribly ill. Most who read this book are not going to have access to the very best psychiatrists; have the unswerving support of a loving family; have the pleasant memories inherent to a blissful childhood; have the opportunity for grand tours of England while on year-long sabbatical leave; have the benefit of an understanding, dynamic, and brilliant professional community; have a world-wide network of well educated and well connected friends; possess the steely work ethic inspired by a WASPy military upbringing; or be blessed with the God-given intellectual talents and physical beauty so helpful to a thriving love life. Many readers won't even have medical insurance. Granted, this is a memoir and not a self-help guide. It is not intended to be a popular manual, but the narrative can be both sympathetic and shamelessly conceited, both poetic and aloof. I'm proud of Dr. Jamison for her achievements, and I'm truly delighted that she has made a wonderful life for herself despite her exceptional difficulties. But I can't help but think that some readers might be a bit resentful.
56 of 59 found the following review helpful:
No More "Fear of the Fear of Flying" Mar 09, 2000
By Jean Yates
"jean, jewelry designer, book and music lover"
I had my first and only manic episode at the age of forty-four, four years ago. In order to be diagnosed a manic-depressive (also know as "bi polar"), you have to have also an expisode of the opposite disorder. In my case, a brief period of depression preceeded the mania. When I went manic, I was fortunate to have a loving husband-- who was quite sensitive to my regular weird nature as opposed to this strange "NEW" me-- realize something was very wrong and cart me off to the doctor immediately. My judgement was way too poor to know this. In fact, I thought my HUSBAND was "nuts"! If you are a family member of a manic-depressive, please understand that they are not capable of behaving normally when they are having an episode. I didn't have to stay away from home too long because he caught me in a very early stage. I was lucky. This illness can devastate people's lives. Some of us must face it and fight it on a daily basis. When I got out of the psychiatric hospital and initally met the "psychopharmarcologial"* shrink who is my doctor now, he said to me at my first visit: "I would like you to read AN UNQUIET MIND, by Kay Jamison. She is a research scientist who is also a manic-depressive." So I did. And, do you know what? It helped me to feel comforted. I no longer felt alone. I no longer felt quite so nervous about "trusting my brain", which had never let me down before. I don't feel as guilty for the foolish things I did while manic, nor I do feel as embarrassed. The shame can be haunting for some people. This book helps dispell that. Dr. Jamison is very honest about all the foolish and self destructive things she did. Because I read this book, I understand that I have a neurobiological disorder that up until recently was very poorly understood. Because of reading this book, I realize that it takes stalwart dedication and, in my case, a love of my family to maintain myself on the road to good health. Otherwise, sure, I would be tempted to "fly" again, just as Kay Jamison did. Her honesty about the damage she did to herself and to her relationships, and her willingness to be open about the seductive nature of this disease has helped me remain on the path to good health. Read this book and dispell some of your confusion about this not so uncommon, not all that glamorous disorder. And then go hug your family, or your s.o.-- or yourself. Hang tough and don't be afraid. Best wishes, Jean * this kind of shrink specializes in using drugs to treat certain disorders. very good type of psychiatrist to use if you are manic/depressive.
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