Mimi Baird is the daughter of Dr. Perry Baird, and in this book she tells his story.
Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Mimi shares his story. Taken from his own hand written accounts from the 1940's, we get a glimpse into the life of a well educated and bright man who suffered from what we now know as Bipolar.
It was a time where mental illness came with a very negative stigma and treatment was cruel. Bouts of mania and violent behavior landed the doctor in a straight jacket locked in a psychiatric unit, where he was forced to go without eating, soil himself, and suffer beatings. He describes his experiences in remarkable detail and with deep introspection and keen observation. His loneliness during that time is gut wrenching and his treatment unfathomable. It was saddening to read of all he suffered, but his examination of his illness is most fascinating and enlightening. Mania is not like being drunk, he explains, where one acts without awareness and wakes up the next day with no memory. No, one is conscious and fully aware during mania, but has trouble with the details because of the number of things to remember.
The author does an excellent job of allowing the doctor to tell the majority of his own narrative, only interjecting when necessary to add more information.
Having a family history of Bipolar and a suspicion that I may have it as well, added to the appeal of reading this book for me. It helps me understand my own dad better and gives words to an experience I couldn't necessarily articulate otherwise.
This was a unique book and I am very glad to have come across it. I would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for writing this honest review.
Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Mimi shares his story. Taken from his own hand written accounts from the 1940's, we get a glimpse into the life of a well educated and bright man who suffered from what we now know as Bipolar.
It was a time where mental illness came with a very negative stigma and treatment was cruel. Bouts of mania and violent behavior landed the doctor in a straight jacket locked in a psychiatric unit, where he was forced to go without eating, soil himself, and suffer beatings. He describes his experiences in remarkable detail and with deep introspection and keen observation. His loneliness during that time is gut wrenching and his treatment unfathomable. It was saddening to read of all he suffered, but his examination of his illness is most fascinating and enlightening. Mania is not like being drunk, he explains, where one acts without awareness and wakes up the next day with no memory. No, one is conscious and fully aware during mania, but has trouble with the details because of the number of things to remember.
The author does an excellent job of allowing the doctor to tell the majority of his own narrative, only interjecting when necessary to add more information.
Having a family history of Bipolar and a suspicion that I may have it as well, added to the appeal of reading this book for me. It helps me understand my own dad better and gives words to an experience I couldn't necessarily articulate otherwise.
This was a unique book and I am very glad to have come across it. I would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for writing this honest review.
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