Reviews (3)

Tragedy to Triumph!
This is a detailed autobiography of one bright all-American young man.The author's style enables the reader to understand both the ups and the downs of bipolar disorder.The book makes clear the very real dangers at both extremes.I am particularly impressed with the author's positive approach to managing a successful life despite an unwanted diagnosis.This book is inspiring!

Finally a story we can all truly relate to!
Unlike so many books on the market about this illness, Jackson's story sticks to his experience and personal journey.This book can provide great value to families, friends and individuals suffering from this disease.I have already bought this book for several friends and highly recommend it.

Honest View Into a Difficult Subject
"Darkest Days, Brightest Nights" takes the reader through the real struggle and pain the comes with a bi-polar condition. This book is very useful for those who do not have any experience with this illness, yet know someone who has the condition. The approach is to relate personal experiences to personal experiences in order to get the all important dialogue flowing. Once dialogue begins with a bi-polar person, then treatment and recovery can begin. Denial and ignorance are the two greatest enemies for a bi-polar illness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1970-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Jackson, Kevin,    8. Manic-depressive illness    9. Manic-depressive persons    10. Mental health    11. Patients    12. Personal Growth - General    13. United States    14. Biography: general    15. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (8)

a severe look at bipolar disorder
This book provides an interesting first hand account of bipolar I disorder with psychotic features. In other words, the author has the most severe form of the illness. While the writing isn't as good as in the finest mental illness memoirs, like "An Unquiet Mind", the author is still able to vividly communicate the horrors of this illness. I do wish he would have been a little more constructive in his criticisms of psychiatry, as perhaps some readers will get the impression that this is not a very treatable illness, when in fact it is. I do, however, agree that it does often take many years before a bipolar individual is properly diagnosed. Overall, a good book that should be read by anyone interested in bipolar disorder.Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Agents In My Brain
I have read the reviews of the readers and I was so impressed that I am going to buy this book.My husband is Bipolar and he was first diagnosed with this illness when he was 21 yrs old.He is now 54 years old.We have been married for 24 yrs and it wasn't until 1995 that he was diagnosed as Bipolar.The doctors who treated him in the late '60's said he was paronoid schizophrenia.It is a shame that these people are treated like lepers.Bioplar is an illness like, cancer or any other illness.Why is it hard for others to understand that?His bestfriend since he was 6 yrs old doesn't talk or call him. I will get this book.

Agents in My Brain
I knew nothing about manic depression.This book opened my eyes to a disease that is hard to image for most people.Mr. Hannon brings his feelings and thoughts to his readers and in a very remarkable way, he isable to share his painful daily struggles.I would highly recommend thisbook to all University psychology classes and in particular to MedicalSchools.Mr. Hannon's personal insight could help physicians make anearlier diagnosis and positively impact the lives of others that becomeafflicted with this disease. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Depression    4. Health/Fitness    5. Manic depressive persons    6. Mental Illness    7. Psychology    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Biography: general    10. Coping with illness   

Subjects:  1. Chemotherapy    2. Manic-depressive psychoses    3. Therapeutic use    4. Valproic acid   

Reviews (4)

Wow. This book is inspirational.
Wow.You can flip to any page of this book and be instantly inspired by Sutz's words of wisdom.Even if you're like me and don't have any anxiety, depression, or manic-depression, the book is STILL an inspiration to all human beings.Everyone can benefit from Sutz's keen insight on the human condition, and how to live your life to the fullest.Forget books like "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"... THIS BOOK is where the real power lies.And if you read it from cover-to-cover, you'll feel as if you're walking along Sutz's entire path of healing with him.Each page is a chapter, filled with a short bit of prose that makes you feel like Sutz is taking you into his warm arms and filling you with joy and feeding you inspiration to last a lifetime.

Kick It With Gusto
In each of Neal's small gems one can find a huge amount of knowledge and experience.A simple and extremely heplful book.One can feel a cure with each poem that is read.Read it, read it, and read it again.The book lasts forever.Buy it for everyone you know.It works.

Exceptional book ~ highly recommend!
"Kick it with Gusto" is without a doubt one of the most helpful books I have come across on the subject of brain disorders ~ and the main reason is the simple format and thoroughly beautiful content.It is dog-eared and sitting on my nightstand as we speak, ready for me to grab for my daily dose of inspiration when needed.I highly recommend this book to anyone...not just those suffering from brain disorders, but anyone who might need a pick-me-up once in a while ~ and I'd be willing to bet, that is just about all of us.Do yourself a favor and buy this book, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Medical / Psychiatry    5. Psychiatry   

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness    2. Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Bipolar Disorder    2. Elation    3. Psychoanalysis   

Reviews (7)

A powerful and recommended guide with a message of hope
Tony Schwarz's Phoenix Rising: 12 Golden Keys To Unlock Your Depression is an informative, effective, step-by-step process and self-help guide to becoming "the director of your own recovery" from depression. Golden Key principal number one is "Discover a Higher Power that Makes Sense To You," and the other Golden Key principles range from "Form Your Own Professional Support Team" to "Perform Physical and Spiritual Exercises Every Day." Numerous appendixes offer information and flesh out a variety of mental health issues related to depression, from contact information to selected mental health organizations to the twelve steps of Co-Dependents Anonymous. An index allows for easy reference. Phoenix Rising is a powerful and recommended guide with a message of hope for those undergoing bleak travails.

A first-hand account of recovering from depression.
It is important to keep in mind while reading this book that it is an anecdotal account of one layman's recovery from severe depression.The major theme of the book is a sound one - a depressive must take control of his own recovery.The author has done some research on the medical issues, and there are several helpful suggestions throughout the book.He is most adept at setting forth a plan of how to get through a day-to-day recovery.Making a daily task list and getting out and interacting with other people are good cooping mechanisms and give a depressive concrete goals to accomplish.However, the book won't speak to everyone.This is basically a 12 step program for depression.Like most 12 step programs it includes a spiritual element of discovering a "higher power". If this is not something that is right for you, you will find this book of limited utility.It begins with a lengthy discussion of the variety of religions and personal growth movements the author has dabbled in.Some will find it helpful, others will be put off by it.It is the nature of such anecdotal accounts that some readers will be able to relate to the author's experience and find it incredibly useful while others are not particularly moved.Nevertheless, even those who can't buy into the whole program will find valuable suggestions for dealing with depression.

A good book to have on hand
Pheonix Rising,12 Golden Keys to Unlock Your Depression is quick to inform the reader a very basic truth about depression....The patient is the key to their own recovery.If you are a partner seeking a key to helping a loved one with their depression this is not what you want to hear, if you are in the middle of the morass of depression and the self-defeating behaviors this is one more thing you have to deal with.Anthony Schwarz and his son Mikel have crafted a well written book that is focused on helping a person survive the depression.It is humane and kind.Often books on depression and recovery get caught up in jargon and the current trend in mental.Mt Schwarz is focused on a course of trying to stay in touch with life.He provides appendixes with inventory lists, how to approach dream journals, journal writing,looking for a therapist that meets your specific needs, simple approaches that may be overlooked that really provide sustanance and comfort in the trying time of depression.There are many approaches suggested, but it is the suggestion that we remember that we seek to strengthen our physical selves through eating better and gentle exercise that ring most true.And Mr. Schwarz also tells of reconciling his past religious upbringing with a new spiritual awakening to aid in his quest for peace of mind.This is a very up front book that blends medical and holistic and spiritual approaches.It encourages the patient to take responsibility and to seek joy.Some may be put off by the first person approach of the book.I found it to be validating, It made the therapies real.As with any self-help book it is a given that all the suggestions may not work for the reader.Mr. Schwarz is very upfront with his acknowledgement that the reader remember that he does not have all the answers, that he is simply telling his story and providing a guide, andthat he wants other others to realize that they are not alone in their hard times.He encourages others to keep seeking.He tells of his searches for help and how he was able to blend his life experiences to aid in his recovery.I found this to be an extraordinarily brave book.I have already loaned my copy to a friend who I know will find comfort in the story.I know I did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression    2. Mental Health    3. Psychology    4. Self-Help    5. Self-Help / Depression    6. Self-Help / Twelve-Step Programs    7. Manic-depressive illness    8. Recovery    9. Self-Help / General    10. Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (1)

A Review from Ann Neill's cousin
The topic of this book is something that too many people have had to go through, including myself, Ann writes straight from the heart...gritty, brutally honest,and truthfully!
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Medical - General    5. Mental Illness    6. Biography & Autobiography / Medical    7. States of consciousness    8. as i am,As I Am,Living in Acceptance with Manic Depression,mental illness,bipolar disorder,manic depression,self help,self analysis,autobiography,survivor,mood disorder,depression,new release,1-55212-907-1   

Subjects:  1. Bipolar transistors    2. Electronic Apparatus And Devices    3. Electronics - Transistors    4. Physics    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Subjects:  1. Mood Disorders    2. Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Mania    2. Manic-depressive illness    3. Mental Depression    4. Psychoses, Manic-depressive   

Subjects:  1. Poetry    2. Poetry / Single Author / American    3. 20th Century American Poetry    4. Affective disorders    5. American Contemporary Poetry    6. Bipolar Disorder    7. Depression    8. Manic-depressive illness    9. Mood Disorders    10. Single Author - American (General)    11. Spirituality   

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Psychiatry - General   

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Mental Disorders    3. Mood Disorders    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Self-Help    6. Self-Help & Practical Interests    7. Self-Help / Motivational    8. Personal Growth - General    9. Schizophrenia    10. Manic-depressive illness    11. Mental Illness    12. Mental Health