A Brilliant Madness Book Report

In her book, A Brilliant Madness, Patty Duke shares her life with bipolar disorder. Undiagnosed until age 35, Patty experienced her share of manic episodes and depressions. She states, “I knew from a very young age that there was something very wrong with me, but I thought it was just that I was not a good person, that I didn’t try hard enough.” From panic attacks to crying spells to verbal abuse, Patty lived a life of desperation for many years.

Patty remembers the disease starting at about 8 years of age. She is taking Lithium twice daily.

Section Two: Main Characteristics/Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder (from text). What behavior (in the book) of Patty Duke illustrated these characteristics?

. . .
There may also be problems with attendance and performance at school or work, as well as significant difficulties in personal relationships. Or, symptoms include psychotic features (hallucinations, delusions). Growing up, I experienced bipolar or manic depression through a friend of the family. Most people with bipolar disorder have multiple episodes. I also feel that our text gave clear indications of treatments and the book confirmed most of those treatments.

Section Five: What were your beliefs/feelings about this disorder before and after reading the book?

My feelings about the disorder are fairly strong ones. I was expansive, elated, and grandiose. There were many times Patty would take a bottle of pills – sometimes trying to commit suicide and other times just for show. She also participated in psychotherapy but it was never really successful until after she was officially diagnosed and placed on Lithium. Anger, irritability, fear, and a sense of being out of control are overwhelming. The family surrounding Patty appeared to be so drained after dealing with her. Valium, Librium, Librax, and the “red ones,“ Seconal. The doctor wanted to hospitalize her but she and her then husband refused. great distress or difficulty in functioning at home, work, or other important areas.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 1555
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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