A Brilliant Madness Book Report
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But, on the up side, bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. 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?
However, the manic phase is the most extreme part of bipolar disorder. She has accepted her behavior (as much as she can) and has made apologies to those around her. Growing up, I experienced bipolar or manic depression through a friend of the family. My grandmother would see "little green men" climbing up her walls. She would stay in her bed all day and scream. (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2001, pages 260-1). Section Three: According to our text, what are the most likely causes of Bipolar Disorder? How are causes addressed in the book?"The onset of bipolar disorder is most often in late adolescence or early adulthood. On page 132 of her book, Patty describes another example of her erratic behavior at her home one evening. Or, symptoms include psychotic features (hallucinations, delusions). More specifically, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are to blame (page 262). Older studies suggest that 80%-90% of people who take this drug experience a decrease in their symptoms. 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. When this happens, people often need to be hospitalized for their own safety. My grandmother was treated with ECT's many years ago for what my mother described as erratic behavior.
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