[Soccer mom]

Have any of you read An Unquiet Mind by Kay Jamison?

I had a difficult realtionship with my now deceased mother who also was addicted to alcohol/prescription pain killers. It is so much easier to be mad at her. My brother suggested I read this book to try to understand my mom. Deep down, I think I'm actually scared that it will make me sympathize with her which will bring on the grief which I have kept at a distance.

No one ever diagnosed my mom since she would never seek help. But, my brother is a psychologist. He never lived with her but was obviously around her many times.

[wheeler]

Yes, I did read this book and it was very good. However I don't think you should 'pressure' yourself into reading it.

Yes, I've read the book. It is about Jamison's struggle with bipolar disorder. Personally, I didn't relate to her experience that much since Jamison writes a great deal about her episodes of mania that are only a rare occurence with my own manifestation of bipolar disorder, but it is an interesting read. Perhaps your brother sees your mother in those descriptions. I don't know that it made me "sympathize" with Jamison so much as understand more what goes on inside the mind of someone living with bipolar disorder. I think it could be read educationally.

no, but i would like to read it. MH books are so few and far between.

I started it. Found it 'dry'