Madness: A Bipolar Life
Marya Hornbacher continues her autobiographical account of mental illness, following her earlier memoir Wasted. This volume focuses on her diagnosis with rapid-cycling Type I bipolar disorder, a condition she identifies as the underlying cause of the eating disorders and emotional turmoil described in her previous work. The narrative traces her journey from childhood confusion to adult diagnosis, detailing the intense highs and lows of manic and depressive episodes, the challenges of medication management, and the ongoing struggle to maintain stability. Hornbacher writes with characteristic directness and unflinching honesty, offering a raw look at the physical and psychological toll of the disease while exploring the complex relationship between her identity and her illness.
Description adapted from Open Library ↗.