An international bestseller and the definitive book on manic depression
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'The writing is clear and beautiful, the descriptions accurate, the interior world she evokes is furiously alive. In the 16 years since An Unquiet Mind was first published, no greater book about manic depression - or bipolar disorder - has appeared.' --Observer
'An accessible account of a frightening illness we still don't fully understand' --The Herald
'This is a reissue of a powerful account of living with "manic depressive illness" ...a fascinating, harrowing description' --Guardian
'An accessible account of a frightening illness we still don't fully understand' --The Herald
'This is a reissue of a powerful account of living with "manic depressive illness" ...a fascinating, harrowing description' --Guardian
Book Description
Dr Kay Redfield Jamison is one of the foremost authorities on manic-depressive illness. She has also experienced it first-hand. For even while she was pursuing her career in academic medicine, she was affected by the same exhilarating highs and catastrophic depressions that afflicted many of her patients. An Unquiet Mind is a memoir of enormous candour, courage, wit and wisdom, which examines manic depression from the dual perspectives of the healer and the healed, revealing both its terrors and its cruel allure. First published fifteen years ago, it remains the definitive book on manic depression. 'It stands alone in the literature of manic depression for its bravery, brilliance and beauty' Oliver Sacks 'Affecting, honest, touching' Will Self
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First Sentence
I was standing with my head back, one pigtail caught between my teeth, listening to the jet overhead. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
I was standing with my head back, one pigtail caught between my teeth, listening to the jet overhead. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
115 of 116 people found the following review helpful
By gekko
Format:Paperback
This was the first book I read, on the advice of my psychiatrist, after being diagnosed with bipolar. My life was in shards and this book gave me comfort that I could rebuild it. It also gave me the sense that I was not alone.
One year post diagnosis, I re-read it to discover it is somewhat oversimplistic in it's summary of the illness and consequent social, mental and pharmacological effects. It also possibly even over-confident in terms of the return to 'normality' one can hope to achieve, though I admit it is early days for me.
But by goodness, I needed it's message then, I still need it today from time to time, when the going gets tough. It is a good book, a good start. Don't make this the only book you read, but please make it one of them.
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful
By Shelagh
Format:Paperback
After being diagnosed with manic depression (bipolar disorder as it is known these days) I felt like I was desperately flailing around for some support and understanding.
The sad truth is that no matter how good your doctors are or how understanding your family is, you feel as if no one really gets what's happening to you. "An Unquiet Mind" was recommended to me by a fellow manic depressive and listening to her was one of the best moves I've ever made. I was so relieved that someone else had a similar (no one's is ever the same) experience and more importantly had managed to come out the other side !!! What a moment of hope.
Without a doubt I would recommend that anyone who has depression of any form, or knows/lives with someone who has depression reads this book. It'll help stop the world from spinning out of control.
The sad truth is that no matter how good your doctors are or how understanding your family is, you feel as if no one really gets what's happening to you. "An Unquiet Mind" was recommended to me by a fellow manic depressive and listening to her was one of the best moves I've ever made. I was so relieved that someone else had a similar (no one's is ever the same) experience and more importantly had managed to come out the other side !!! What a moment of hope.
Without a doubt I would recommend that anyone who has depression of any form, or knows/lives with someone who has depression reads this book. It'll help stop the world from spinning out of control.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By lmhh
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Living with someone who is living with mental illness is not an easy place to be. This book will not stop the roller coaster you sometimes feel you live on, but it will give you insight which might help in coping. with the impact As someone who has lived in this position for 20 years I recommend this book and - for the very darkest days - anything by Dorothy Rowe.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A must have book for anyone suffering manic depression. Having suffered MD for 14 years I could never fully explain what it was like. Kay Jamison does this brilliantly. She has helped me understand the importance of Lithium and Psychotherapy to stay well.
In short she has given me hope, for which I will be forever grateful.
In short she has given me hope, for which I will be forever grateful.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jamison provides the definitive first-person narrative of the effect of manic depression, and all mood disorders. She manages to intelligently discuss medicating an 'uniquiet mind' whilst not reducing the questioning this invokes. She combines a lucid account of psychotic and depressive symptoms and their pull, whilst not down-playing the suffering this produces for sufferer and family. Most importantly, she gives the sufferer hope that extreme traits can be moderated whilst remaining the same person. The book is a superb read, and the issues it raises can be extrapolated to everyone's life, not just those of the mentally ill.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Eclipse
Format:Paperback
This is a fantastic true story of Kay Redfield Jamison determination to live her life for herself rather than give into illness. If you have bipolar(like myself)you will find this book inspirational and it will leave you with a feeling of hope.
This book genuinely helped me come to terms with my diagnosis. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who want to step into the shoes of someone dealing with bipolar or to gain piece of mind that bipolar needn't dictate you life.
This book genuinely helped me come to terms with my diagnosis. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who want to step into the shoes of someone dealing with bipolar or to gain piece of mind that bipolar needn't dictate you life.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am very grateful to Ms Jamison for giving me such a clear, open and honest guide to an illness of which I knew so little, even though I have seen the effects it can have on people.
It is a wonderful thing that we are living in an age when a broader and deeper understanding of mental illness is gradually entering the public consciousness. I hope this process will continue and we should be extremely grateful to writers like Ms Jamison for assisting us.
She is prepared to talk openly about her own situation - a tremendously brave action - without self-dramatizing or seeking sympathy. If you are wavering about whether to buy this or not, just go ahead. You will ever be the wiser for it.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I found it interesting to read now Jamison was seduced by her mild mania, and how she eventually realised that the illness cannot be harnessed and controlled to suit her desire.
Hoever, I do not feel as though she put enough content in the book discussing how lithium is not the magical cure for everyone who suffers from this illness. Perhaps I thought that her point about perseverence and disciplined self-regulation with lithium was not vivid enough.
After reading the book, I was left feeling as though Jamison was in awe of her illness - I'm not sure that is the right note to be left ringing in your mind.
I found this book sometimes very difficult to read. I had to read, then reread sentences as I found it difficult to follow the flow. I also thought there was an unnecessary use of "big words" - though no one could accuse Jamison of verbosity.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is affected by this illness, or is simply interested in finding out about manic-depression.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A surprisingly
I am a mental health nurse and I stumbled across this book when I was the second year of my training. Read more
Published 8 days ago by MISS MAGGIE ROSS
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing insight
I wanted to gain insight into the mind of a bipolar friend, and this was an excellent way to do it. Beautifully written by a bipolar psychiatrist, a rare insight from a double... Read more
Published 1 month ago by paris david
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly incite full
My husband is bi polar and this book really showed me it from the side of the sufferers. Frighteningly graphic but a must read if you need to understand it. Xxx
Published 3 months ago by Paula Caton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant and brave
Absolutely fascinating, the author describes what it is like to experience every aspect of biploar disorder. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ollymollee
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Unquiet Mind
This book gave me a deeper understanding of my partner's problems. It was honest and brave because it is written by a professional who could explain what happened to her life when... Read more
Published 4 months ago by kay frew
2.0 out of 5 stars
Boring
Having had a bit of problems myself thought this might be interesting but she seems to go on about her own upbringing etc a lot. Boring to be honest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Neil
4.0 out of 5 stars
Undrstanding Bipolar
An excellent biography which explains the turmoil that bipolar brings to your life. She made interesting arguments around the issue of whether to medicate or not. Read more
Published 7 months ago by K pen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Read
This book is excellent - gives you such a real perspective on mental illness, especially as the author has experienced it for herself-highly reccomended
Published 10 months ago by Mr. R. Mackinnon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Touching and insightful memoir of dealing with Bi-Polar disorder
A moving insight into the havoc that mental illness can have a sufferer's life and the lives of those around them. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Pelagius Kung
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I was hopping for a real insight into what it is like to have bipolar disorder, but this book if more a reflective account of the author's life. Read more
Published 13 months ago by SamuStormborn
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