I just finished it. My impressions: She is a remarkable writer- several $15 dollar words that I had to look up! That's unusual for me. She explained things that were in terms I could understand - maybe because Ive got "it", too? Her insistance of calling it "manic depressive illness"; she even goes on to explain why. To me, "manic depression" describes part of it- but there's so much MORE to it - such as delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Bipolar tells you there are at least two opposite ends of the disease but leaves room for all the little inbetween bits. All in all, I loved the book. I have respect for her journey. Probably the best memoir I've read about bipolar. I am left with a feeling of hope and maybe I don't "need" to know what's "worse" than what I've already experienced in my life re bipolar.