Manic: A Memoir

I appreciated reading from this Author's own actual words and thoughts. It clarified a lot of issues I have encountered associating with persons
with this tragic problem. So sad she died so young.

Am interested in the subject, but, just couldnt
get into story.
Empathize with the author and wot she's had to go through; however . . .
Came to the abrupt end, expecting something on the next page.
But, it just stopped.
Oh, well.
Wish her continued health.
She seems like a nice person.

I was immediately drawn into the story with the first line of this book. I wanted to read this for 2 reasons: I, too, am "bi-polar", and it was recommended by a friend. I found the writing style of Terri Cheney to be honest and easy to read. By capturing her life events in the order of rememberance rather than chronologically, I was able to understand that my mind works in much the same way. In reading Terri's story, I have a better understanding of my own situations, and know that I am not alone. If anyone wants to understand the bi-polar issue, this is one story that can explain it from the bi-polar's experience. Although my personal experiences have not been as extreme as Terri's, I can fully understand how she felt and the decisions she made. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to understanding Manic-Depression better.

I found that this book held my interest despite the fact that I always felt something lacking. I never got the emotional clout from her story that I was expecting. It fell a little flat for me. Still, I did enjoy the recounting of her struggles. Some reviewers object to the frequent references to her ivy league education, professional successes and her beauty. To me these seemed to represent the things she could actually be legitimately proud of in her life. I say let her enjoy them. There were plenty of sordid aspects to her tale. There was the promiscuity, the substance abuse, the misery she caused others, and then the horrific episode in Santa Fe. All in all I found this to be a readable and enjoyable book.

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting to see what life is like from the perspective of a person who's manic depressive. My ex step mother is manic depressive and I could never understand why she acted the way she did when I was growing up. This helped open my eyes to some of the things she did.

This was a fascinating tale of a manic depressive woman--who was also a lawyer and attempted to keep her life on an even keel but couldn't. It saddened me as she took me through her life with it's ups and downs.

Extremely well written--very good book!

Excellent. Gripping. Sad. What a reality being bipolar is. Exceptionally well written with both high emotion AND a stoic feeling. Helped me better understand this mental illness and how overpowering it is.

Cheney is a wonderful writer. Crisp, precise, well-written analogies and perfectly woven details emerge of her struggle with bipolar disorder. I found it to be very relatable and poignant. A must read for anyone with bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, any of the many other mental illnesses, or anyone just plain interested in learning more about this illness. As a reader of most all memoirs on the subject, Cheney's book shoots way above the average recount. Her way with words is very poetic. A true writer, not just someone reliving the harrowing moments of her life. Cheney could write on any subject and it would be a must read. 5 stars!

Terri takes us along on her very personal journey with humor and grace. The insight into the world of manic depression is incredibly valuable to a community whose members still find mental illness awkward to talk about, easy to joke about and easier still to shun and ignore. Terri's non linear story telling is as much a part of her story as her gut wrenching details of being inside a mental unit. This book is an enjoyable read that leaves you better informed.

This book helped me to get a better understanding of bi polar. After reading it helped me to have more compassion for those who have diagnosis. I recommend both people with the diagnosis and their family read it.

Hearing about mental health forever,now I can really understand it. Thank you so much Ms. Cheney for sharing something so very personal and giving so much of your personal insight to us all. Wishing you only great things ahead.

My mother is bipolar, but I never understood what was wrong with her, so I really thought she was crazy. Now that I am a grown woman, I thought I understood. But, I think this author has given me new insight into what a manic episode really feels like. I feel such empathy now, along with guilt, for what my mother lived through. I have a great niece who is so much like the author. Everyone in my family, except her younger sister, mother & grandmother (who is a behavioral medicine RN), are angry and fed up with her poor decisions, the trouble she stirs up, and the drama that inevitably surrounds her. This book has helped me understand why she does such crazy, bizarre things. I am so grateful for what she has shared with us and will recommend others in my family read this book.

I liked this.... However..... She skips around and you never know where you are..... The chapters have no order to them in proportion to her life...... Being bipolar myself.... I understand that her thoughts come this way.... But I feel the chapters could have been organized in more of an order once she had them all written.... This is how I have to write even a letter... Organizing paragraphs after all my thoughts are on paper...

It was a beautifully written true story. I understand so much more about the manic/bipolar condition after reading this tale. The work was so compelling I could hardly put it down. The author deals with her condition and discovers after many trials how to deal with and live a normal life as possible.

I feel like my daughter could have written this book, from the attraction to neighbors flowers, non-stop jabber and then sleeping for weeks on end. I have a better understand of what she goes thru on a daily basis. I can't say I loved this book, it hits way to close to home but I feel it was important that I read it.

This was a great read for anyone who is diagnosed bi-polar, manic-depressive. It gives a real inside look at how you feel with the rapid cycling that goes along with this disease process. It is apparent that one does not have control over their actions during these rapid mood changes. Living with someone who has this mental illness is a real challenge and I think this book would be of help to those people.

I got through this book in just one evening because it kept me interested. I was able to get a better grasp on what it feels like to be bipolar. I thought the author did a good job of painting an honest picture. Yet, you can tell she wasn't looking for sympathy. I believe this book was Cheney's way of reaching out a helping hand to those who may be afflicted with the same mental disease. Good book.

I loved the way the author told a different experience each chapter. The flow of this book was amazing, and kept me intrigued throughout it's entirety. I read this book in two nights after putting my son to sleep. If you want a book that you don't realize you're almost finished with it until you are, this is a good book for you!

This was a great book that gave wonderful insight into the mind of a manic depressive personality. With it's ups and devastating downs a must read for anyone who is or knows someone suffering with this mental illness. Loved it and remain in the author's corner hoping she continues to find balance in her life.

This book helped me understand the mind of a person who has been diagnosed with bipolar. Not only was it very entertaining, it was very informative. The author is a brave soul who will help to remove the stigma of a mental diagnosis.

Although I'm a therapist I learned more about bipolar disorder through reading her amazingly well-written descriptions of her moments of manic and depression. It was hard to put down , and somehow I feel a real connection with her . Can you hear the deepest truth we all can resonate.

I enjoyed reading this book....Having a spouse with Bi Polar, I could relate to some of the manic-depressive episodes. It was good to hear someone else's story.... Thank you, Terri, for sharing your journey.

This woman suffered from a disease of the brain that she did not ask to have. Her story helped me to understand what these people go through and that we need to find better treatments for them. Try to get help for any family members that have this. Her father was unkind to her, not helpful.

I found this book to be terribly self absorbed and felt the author had learned little. I know it is difficult to overcome mental illness but this book was too much about privilege. There are so many mentally ill people who cannot indulge in any private therapy and do not get help from the State Mental Health System that it was difficult for me to empathize with this author. There are much better books on the subject told in a most realistic way.

I am a licensed counselor who has worked with clients with bipolar disorder for over 20 years. More intimately, I have family members who have suffered BPD. This book reads real...not pretty..not easy...but gut wrenching real. God bless...

This has been an informative and emotional documentation of a life with mental illness. Thank you to the author who has brought mental illness to the forefront, and shared with the readers her life experiences. As with all illnesses, each person will experience them in their own way. Thank you Ms. Cheney for sharing yours.

I am a licensed counselor who has worked with clients with bipolar disorder for over 20 years. More intimately, I have family members who have suffered BPD. This book reads real...not pretty..not easy...but gut wrenching real. God bless...

This has been an informative and emotional documentation of a life with mental illness. Thank you to the author who has brought mental illness to the forefront, and shared with the readers her life experiences. As with all illnesses, each person will experience them in their own way. Thank you Ms. Cheney for sharing yours.

I have been suffering myself with MD disorder and to read it so well written created comfort in my soul. Many times I laughed and many times I cried, it was all so familiar. What a wonderful read, for those suffering as well and those who are close to those who are. Thank you for sharing your experiences, strength and hope.

My sister has mental illness & this story gave me some insight into her troubles. Me Cheney was brutally honest about the impact of her illness. That takes strength & courage, something we don't always have.

A wonderful insight into the world of mental illness that was unlike anything I'd read concerning this disease. The author was very courageous to share such an intimate part of her life with honesty and openness, unlike so many who view this illness as something in which they should be ashamed. I found it fascinating.