The Art of Living A Fractured Life: An Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living (Volume 1) James Malcolm Gersonde

“Over 6% of the population has at least one thing in common; they suffer from bipolar disorder either diagnosed or undiagnosed.” James Gersonde falls into the former category and has spent the last 35 years dealing with the highs and lows that mark one of the most serious of all mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder (historically known as manic-depressive disorder) is a psychiatric diagnosis for a mood disorder in which people experience disruptive mood swings that encompass a frenzied state known as mania or hypomania and usually, symptoms of depression. Bipolar disorder is defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes. At the lower levels of mania, such as hypomania, individuals may appear energetic and excitable. At a higher level, individuals may behave erratically and impulsively, often making poor decisions due to unrealistic ideas about the future, and may have great difficulty with sleep. At the highest level, individuals can show psychotic behavior, including violence. People who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes, or symptoms, or a mixed state in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These events are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood; but in several individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, which is known as rapid cycling. Severe manic episodes can sometimes lead to such psychotic as delusions and hallucinations.” (Wikipedia) For a complete description of this illness, read Richard LaFeive’s excellent book Moodswing: The Third Revolution in Psychiatry. Briefly, the first revolution came when insane people were released from their chains, the second were the therapies and teachings of Sigmund Freud and the third was the discovery of lithium carbonate as a treatment for both mania and depression. Gersonde had been taking lithium for 35 years until he became toxic on it and almost died. The lithium was replaced with Depacote (valproic acid) and it seems to be stabilizing him. This book is a chronicle of his highs, lows and mellow periods. It is from his heart and his gut. He hopes you find it a good read. Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге The Art of Living A Fractured Life: An Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living (Volume 1) (James Malcolm Gersonde)