Although I have had contact with several manic-depressive individuals, during both manic and depressed states, many aspects of the disorder still remained unclear. The knowledge I have gained through Jamison’s first hand experiences is invaluable and has helped me attain a clearer understanding of this illness. She allowed her readers to understand how her mind worked and to get a true feel of the disorder itself.

Most of the manic-depressive individuals that I know are married with children and living normal lives. However, like Jamison, it took them many expansive highs followed by detrimental lows before medical help was sought. As in Jamison’s case (her father and other relatives on his side of the family), there appears that a predisposition to this disorder is genetically transmitted. One wou

ld think that this would only help an individual seek medical attention sooner. However, this is not the case, which Jamison illustrated quite clearly. Most manic-depressive individuals, like her, are intelligent and strong willed. It is usually not until they have practically destroyed their lives, hurt those around them or attempted suicide that one seeks help. As Jamison candidly stated, “I had no idea what was going on, and I felt totally unable to ask anyone for help. It never occurred to me that I was ill; my brain just didn’t put it in those terms” (p. 45).

There are several messages I believe Jamison is trying to convey in her memoir. Primarily, one can live a productive life with manic-depressive illness through medication and therapy. Secondly, the importance of support and understanding from family and friends. This includes the importance of becoming educated about the disorder. Furthermore, that although love is not a cure for this illness, it can give you back the sense of life you once had. As Jamison described it, “it helps to shut the terror and awfulness, while, at the same time, allowing in life and beauty and vitality…After each seeming death with my m

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Unquiet Mind, manic-depressive individuals, manic-depressive illness, unquiet mind, continue taking medication, taking medication, live productive life, live productive, manic moods, productive life, jamison described, continue taking, attempted suicide,