An Unquiet Mind

I loved this book, which I read shortly after recovering from my first major manic episode. I remember sitting on the patio of the LSU student union and thinking, “Yes, this!” again and again.

Written by a medical doctor (a psychiatrist), this memoir offers a unique view of bipolar disorder as Jamison herself has bipolar. I needed to know more about my diagnosis, and I needed to hear it from someone who had experienced it herself. 

This has been a deeply influential book in my life, providing both inspiration and understanding of living with mental illness. As both a clinical psychologist and a patient, Jamison offers a unique perspective on bipolar disorder, capturing the intensity of her mood swings and the challenges of treatment. This book is personally significant because it breaks down the stigma surrounding mental health and provides hope to those struggling with similar issues.

Jamison’s bravery in sharing her story inspired me to be open about my own experiences with trauma and mental health. Her narrative underscores the importance of addressing mental health… show more.

Jamison writes about bipolar disorder as a professor of psychiatry and as a person who suffers from the illness. This dual vision allows us to see the disorder in multifaceted ways. Jamison is particularly adept at explaining why bipolar sufferers are so tragically prone to attempt and commit suicide. I suffer from Bipolar 2 Disorder with mixed features, meaning that I can be depressed and manic at the same time. This is a dangerous combination. A depressed person is more likely to have suicidal ideation and a manic person has enough energy to make suicidal plans and carry them out.… show more.

A wryly humorous and gracefully written account of manic-depression that has become a classic in the field. Look into the background of mental health professionals, and you often find their own struggle to hold it together. Jameson is a psychologist who decided to come out of the closet as a florid manic-depressive in this ground-breaking memoir. Her sense of humor and beautiful turns of phrase rescue us from the murkier, inadvertent narcissism of some memoirs of depression, which tend – almost inevitably – to be rather Eyore-ish. “Money spent while manic doesn't fit into the Internal Revenue Service concept of… show more.

I love that Jameson writes from both the perspective of living with bipolar disorder, and as a scientist and professor. Her story is true and relatable. When seeking to learn about bipolar disorder, An Unquiet Mind is the place to start. Jameson was one of the first people to shatter the stigma against bipolar disorder.