Mind Race: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Bipolar Disorder (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative)

As the parents of a wonderful child who is being treated for a chemical imbalance in her brain that has been recently diagnosed (after years of miss diagnosis) as bipolar, we have found that this book has given us more insight into the illness than any other book we have read to date (which is quite a few). This is NOT a reference book with general advice on treating the condition, but a single person's experience with it. While his experiences are not the same as ours, this telling is very vivid and understandable, and he pulls no punches while not getting preachy. He brings up many of the issues that face this illness including the impacts it has on friendships, lifestyle, how certain terminology in our society can affect the person struggling with these issues. The book is a short easy read that touches on many aspects of the treatments but not as a reference but more as an explanation. His use of humor to ease some of the heavy parts is excellent, and the book has become a wonderful way to open dialog with all members of our family. We have purchased a number of copies of the book and are sharing them with others. THANK YOU Patrick Jamieson. You have given us both the focus of seriousness of the condition as well as hope that our wonderful child can live a full and wonderful life.

A daughter who has suffered over half her life, was properly diagnosed with Bipolar illness about three years ago, recommended "Mind Race". We agree this book has given us more insight into how the illness presents itself, in real time, than all the strickly clinical research we had done. Testimonies of others who, in spite of their illness, have made great strides, reassures us she can live a much more 'normal' productive life. Like other intelligent young woman, she's learning it's just as right and important to set boundaries in her life regarding stress levels, regular healthy eating & sleeping patterns and enjoying time with good friends, as taking her meds as prescribed is vital to help manage the ups and downs There is hope! It' s important for others to fully understand that the illness is not our identity. Whole families should read 'Mind Race' to better understand, give proper support, encouragement and unconditional love to their loved one who suffers so much.

This book is a well-written and interesting first person account of the coming of age of a teenager with bipolar disorder. It is the best book I've seen that describes what what mania and depression feels like. It discusses all the pertinent topics, drugs, depression, mania, suicidal feelings and hospitalization, including why one would be hospitalized and what it is like being in hospital. The author talks about all these things as he has experienced them, which is the chief strength of the book. I would recommend this book for anyone who is bipolar and for the family and friends of people who are bipolar. It is very well done.

Purchased this for a teenager (isn’t much of areader) struggling with her diagnosis of bi-polar disorder. She absolutely loved this book and let me know it helped her on her journey of accepting her diagnosis.

I purchased this line of books to have relate able items for my students in counseling. I've enjoyed the books & felt they're easy to read for the younger audience. I will definitely purchase more in the future.

This book shows me personally. Living with bipolar, I formed a connection. With humor, yet poignant truth this book clearly depicts inner turmoil and shame experienced. His constant denial of a psychological diagnosis was the lack of education of society during his upbringing; where brain based chemical imbalances defined you "crazy" and "dangerous." The book's complete honesty using layman terms can depict the two unpredictable uproars of "mass destruction." Where mania and depression play tug a war inside a solitary body. GOOD READ.

This book did at least give me some insight into the minds of teenagers with bipolar disorder.Might not buy it again though.

I was very dissapointed with this book. Fortuantely I bought it through marketplace and didn't spend too much on it. The book was a waste of my time. Also the book is deceptive, it sates that it is told from the reference of a teen, but it is told from the reference of an adult who, at that, mentions more of medication and treatment. Not more that 30 pages are towards his experience in a psych wards as a teen. It also looks more like a pamphlet than a book.

See above...

Not very useful. Geared towards younger teens/preteens.