The story I read was the true-life story of the actress from the 70’s, Patty Duke. This book was one of continuing suspense and you could hardly put it down for anticipation of what was to come. The one thing I did not like about this book was the way it alternated between Patty’s story and the co authors medical views in every other chapter. I realize the importance of the medical view and making the general public aware of the medical characteristics, however the chapters about the medical issues were not as interesting to me. I suppose those chapters were a necessary evil for the book. The public would read the book because of Patty Duke and at the same time benefit from the medical knowledge within the chapters too.

Patty takes her position in society, as a celebrity, and uses her personal experiences to make the general public aware of manic depressive illness. The book could also be considered to give insight to Bipolar type I and type II. She also uses the book to hopefully brush off some of the negativity and stigmatisms that for many years has plagued mental illnesse

Patty had very few side effects; this made taking the pill even easier for her. She did experience a bit of nausea, and some blurred vision. It was undetermined if the blurred vision was from the lithium or the fact that she was in her forties. She does from time to time get a metallic taste in her mouth, but it is rare. She has become very in tune with her body. She can recognize the signs that she may need to adjust her dose of lithium up or down depending on her body’s indications. She does have her blood taken often to check her lithium level and see if her doctor wants to adjust her dosage. The one and only side effect that she will complain about is the frequent urination.

In 1982, Patty began to take lithium two times a day, and for her, it worked. Finally, she felt like she fit in with every other American / human. She for the first time felt “normal”. At first, she admitted that it was a bit embarrassing taking her pill in front of anyone, so she made a ritual out of it to assure she would take it daily. She bought various beautiful little porcelain pillboxes and would open them and take her pill. This made her feel good as well as taught her the habit that the miracle “beige” pill had to be taken in a timely manner. She already had problems in her dietary habits, but now she would have to reconstruct her behavior and habits to accommodate her medication.

Patty Duke is the main character and co-author of the book, “A Brilliant Madness”. She exhibits many common symptoms and behaviors known to manic depressive disorder. Some examples of her behaviors that lend the diagnosis of manic depressive disorder could be seen in her every day behavior. Siting such examples as repeated attempts to commit suicide, repeated hospitalization, (voluntary and involuntary), extreme bouts of depression and many mania, episodes of outrageous behavior such as spending sprees.

Ms. Duke exhibited various signs that made her diagnosis possible. Although it took fifteen years to finally get the diagnosis, she had a very rough life both before and after diagnosis. Patty was a very sophisticated, articulate and intelligent woman. She had many options available to her such as medical and psychological attention, but endured fifteen years of the awful, often times debilitating symptoms of an unknown disease. She was so relieved once she had a diagnosis. At least now, with a diagnosis, she could move toward treatment and possibly medications. Other signs that fit Ms. Duke in the DSM-IV were her severe mania and depressions. Although there are no medical test or X-Rays that are available for diagnosis of manic-depressive illness, it was less common in the 70’s to be diagnosed with a mental abnormality. Over her fifteen year bout before being diagnosed, she exhibited feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, was often sad, and she lost interest in her daily ordinary activities. She had trouble concentrating, even remembering things from time to time. She would often sleep for days on end, and then just the oppo

Some topics in this essay:
Ms Duke, Patty Duke, Duke DSM-IV, Brilliant Madness”, Dr Arlen, mental disorders, Books Nonfiction, Call Anna, ms duke, manic depressive, Gloria Hochman, patty duke, Madness Living, mental disorder, depressive disorder, people mental, people mental disorders, manic depressive disorder, attempts commit suicide, positive light, commit suicide, society people,