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Wendy K. Williamson shows the effects of bipolar disorder on the mind, body and soul of those who suffer from it. Despite Wendy's struggles, this is a not a book that brings the listener down, rather a road map for wellness and a vastly informative, yet entertaining, guided tour of bipolar disorder for those who don't understand it. With her perceptive self-awareness, the author is equal parts comedienne and educator, and she tells the unbelievable highs and lows of her story with a clear, grounded candor.
The personal memoir of a manic depressive and an authority on the subject describes the onset of the illness during her teenage years and her determined journey through the realm of available treatments.
My Prison without Bars is a courageous and harrowing journey through the catacombs of hell, from the mind and voice of a little girl, living with her own monster underneath her bed. Written in first person, this novel is not a memoir, but more a psychological thriller based on true events; chronicling one woman's attempt to claw her way out of the darkness of Child Sexual Abuse, while struggling to find normal, in a not-so-normal world. It is poignant, dark and graphic; not for the faint of heart.
Little Lorna Bell is from a notorious family on a rundown estate. Everyone thinks she's a nasty piece of work. The schoolchildren call her a thief. But Lorna's hair is matted, her shoes pinch her feet, and school teacher Claire Penny can't help herself; some kids just need a bit more support, a bit more love, than the rest. As the bond between teacher and pupil grows stronger, Claire sees Lorna's bruises, and digs to uncover the disturbing tale behind them. Heartbroken, Claire knows she has to act. She must make Lorna safe.
Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, is determined to wipe out bad grammar - but she's also determined to make the process as painless as possible. One year ago, she created a weekly podcast to tackle some of the most common mistakes people make while communicating. More than seven million episodes have now been downloaded, and Mignon has dispensed grammar tips on Oprah and appeared on the pages of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
This renowned journalist's classic Pulitzer Prize winning investigation of schizophrenia - now reissued with a new postscript - follows a flamboyant and fiercely intelligent young woman as she struggles in the throes of mental illness. "Sylvia Frumkin" was born in 1948 and began showing signs of schizophrenia in her teens. She spent the next seventeen years in and out of mental institutions. In 1978, reporter Susan Sheehan took an interest in her and, for more than two years, became immersed in her life.
Wendy K. Williamson shows the effects of bipolar disorder on the mind, body and soul of those who suffer from it. Despite Wendy's struggles, this is a not a book that brings the listener down, rather a road map for wellness and a vastly informative, yet entertaining, guided tour of bipolar disorder for those who don't understand it. With her perceptive self-awareness, the author is equal parts comedienne and educator, and she tells the unbelievable highs and lows of her story with a clear, grounded candor.
The personal memoir of a manic depressive and an authority on the subject describes the onset of the illness during her teenage years and her determined journey through the realm of available treatments.
My Prison without Bars is a courageous and harrowing journey through the catacombs of hell, from the mind and voice of a little girl, living with her own monster underneath her bed. Written in first person, this novel is not a memoir, but more a psychological thriller based on true events; chronicling one woman's attempt to claw her way out of the darkness of Child Sexual Abuse, while struggling to find normal, in a not-so-normal world. It is poignant, dark and graphic; not for the faint of heart.
Little Lorna Bell is from a notorious family on a rundown estate. Everyone thinks she's a nasty piece of work. The schoolchildren call her a thief. But Lorna's hair is matted, her shoes pinch her feet, and school teacher Claire Penny can't help herself; some kids just need a bit more support, a bit more love, than the rest. As the bond between teacher and pupil grows stronger, Claire sees Lorna's bruises, and digs to uncover the disturbing tale behind them. Heartbroken, Claire knows she has to act. She must make Lorna safe.
Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, is determined to wipe out bad grammar - but she's also determined to make the process as painless as possible. One year ago, she created a weekly podcast to tackle some of the most common mistakes people make while communicating. More than seven million episodes have now been downloaded, and Mignon has dispensed grammar tips on Oprah and appeared on the pages of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
This renowned journalist's classic Pulitzer Prize winning investigation of schizophrenia - now reissued with a new postscript - follows a flamboyant and fiercely intelligent young woman as she struggles in the throes of mental illness. "Sylvia Frumkin" was born in 1948 and began showing signs of schizophrenia in her teens. She spent the next seventeen years in and out of mental institutions. In 1978, reporter Susan Sheehan took an interest in her and, for more than two years, became immersed in her life.
"I was frustrated," says Erin Callinan about the genesis of her critically-acclaimed memoir Beautifully Bipolar. "I could no longer sit back while conversation surrounding mental illness was negative, scary, insulting, and inaccurate. I have a voice, and I have a story. I felt a passion, and I went with it. I just started writing: no judgments, limits, or rules." Her purpose: To challenge people to address and remove the stigma associated with mental illness. Reviewers have enthusiastically praised the volume, one calling it the "perfect first non-clinical book for family members, loved ones, or even sufferers themselves, who are just adjusting to the unsettling diagnosis of bipolar disorder." Ultimately Erin's story is impossible to set aside and vitally import to know.
As I listened to the author's story and her description of the places she'd been hospitalized I searched my memory in attempt to recall her. From 1995 to 2007 I was employed in working with the mentally ill and substance abusers in the Phoenix area. I didn't recognize either the places she was hospitalized or any of the people she described but the outline was certainly familiar with the stories of many of those I dealt with in those years.
Late adolescence/ early adulthood is the time that both schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder will either begin or the individual's ability to hide it is overwhelmed. I worked with any number of young men and women who were facing the reality of a lifetime illness; an illness that carries a huge stigma. The lack of treatment available to the mentally ill is a disgrace; those who are able to get treatment are able to do so only a matter of days. The fact that the author suffered only two episodes serious enough to lead to her hospitalization means she is one of the most fortunate of those who have a SMI; most sufferers aren't that lucky.
This was an excellent if short exploration of mental illness. The true weakness of the work is the overly high, overly chirpy voice of the reader that sounds as if would be better for a children's story. While that is something of a negative this work is more than worth the discounted price; it is heartily recommended.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Always good to hear another's story of this illness, unfortunately this was nearly impossible to listen to. Narrator sounds like she's reading a Judy Blume book to a class of fifth graders, not someone's experience with mental illness. What a terrible disservice to Erin's experience.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I'm in the early phase of a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 and was recommended this book by a member of an email list for mental health support. I'm about the same age as the author and having the perspective of a fellow young adult with mental illnesses gives me all the more confidence that I'm not alone and I can get through this!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
If you could sum up Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look into Mental Illness in three words, what would they be?
reflective
on-point
hopeful
What was one of the most memorable moments of Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look into Mental Illness?
When Erin admits to not being able to stop wetting the bed because of her illness
Did Heidi Tabing do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?
there really wasn't a need for it in this book. N/A
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
yes. I would have listened to it all at once bc I heard so much of my own story being told in Erin's, but alas life still must go on outside of books.
Any additional comments?
Thank you Erin Callinan for sharing your story and also expressing how important it is to be proactive in our own care. We are our own biggest advocates. Heidi Tabing was a distraction for me at times.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Excellent sharing of the struggle one faces with a chemical imbalance (bipolar). I highly recommend this especially to family members. She is strong and I know my daughter will be strong too.
What made the experience of listening to Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look into Mental Illness the most enjoyable?
The acting Heidi delivered made it enjoyable as I could feel how the character felt about her mental illness and her thoughts about the people around her.
Any additional comments?
As per usual, Great job Heidi,
1 of 2 people found this review helpful