I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar

by Wendy K. Williamson

Just as a photographer might shoot a photo through a colored lens, Wendy Williamson skillfully holds up the filter of mania and depression for her reader to peer through. With heart-wrenching honesty and humor, she shows the effects of bipolar disorder on the mind, body and soul of those who suffer from it. Despite Wendy's struggles, this is a not a book that brings the reader down, rather a road map for wellness and a vastly informative, yet entertaining, guided tour of bipolar disorder for those who don't understand it. With her perceptive self-awareness, the author is equal parts comedienne and educator, and she tells the unbelievable highs and lows of her story with a clear, grounded candor.

Genres: Psychology, Memoir, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this book. I devoured it. Wendy was so brutally honest, it was so refreshing to have honesty served up to me like that. She didn't need to embellish things, there is nothing fancy about this book. But it's real, it's raw. It came to me by chance at a time in my life when I needed it more than anything, and it gave me the belief that I could & would get better, that you have, or suffer from an illness/disease. You do NOT become that disease. You do not sign away your personality, your life to that disease. I could relate to more than 70% of Wendy's feelings/actions due to being bipolar, and it brought great comfort to read of her struggles, her failings and her successes. Good read for all.

[Nunyah Biznuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to meet someone who's bipolar -just like you- or you're wanting to understand what it's like to be bipolar, this readable and honest book is for you. Note that it's about bipolar I not bipolar II.

[Kim Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar skillfully weaves together several levels of a young woman's life...[it] is, like its title, an assertion that a life touched by bipolar disorder is still a life with its own logic. The book does a great job at describing that logic for the uninitiated, giving many examples of the compromise that everyday life demands from someone whose manic tendencies are constantly leading them to fly too close to the sun."

-NAMI, The Advocate, Winter 2011.

Wow, a wonderful insider look at mental illness. This book should be required reading for future professionals studying Bipolar Disorder and anyone working in emergency medicine or crisis situations. I've witnessed the effects of BP from the outside but now I understand a lot more about how it feels to experience the day to day highs and lows of this disorder. Plus the suggestions and recommendations for changes to stabilize and improve daily life are presented clearly and clarified by examples of what happens when the daily routine is neglected.

[Jim Reaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very honest was this book, at times I found it very hard to read. There...I said it. Well done Wendy..you made me laugh & cry! What a journey.

Anyone that is struggling to cope and find their way through the machinations of this disorder will appreciate your candid life story. This took a lot of courage & strength to complete, but if it helps only one person, then it is has accomplished so much. I know it will help many.

I feel this book will also help many who support 'biploarians'(did you make this word up?) through the highs of mania to the lows of depression. How very lucky to have parents like yours.

Good points can also be found with treatments as not all advice is good for us. Very helpful. I very much like your writing style; it was really easy to read. I hope you keep writing because I would definitely read more of your books.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into how this condition has affected the life of the author and her family. This book is incredibly honest. I am inspired by Wendy's desire to get well and stay well; her story shows what a battle it is to do what she knows she needs to do - lots of sleep, no alcohol, limited caffeine. While this can be a battle for many of us, for Wendy the consequences are extreme and much more immediate than they are for most people.

At times I did find the book was uncomfortably honest - I'm never quite comfortable recommending a book with disclosures of drug use that don't come with a 'drugs are bad' wrapper. In this case, the story shows the effect the drugs had on the author's life, but it was focused on 'bad because of bipolar'. But having said that, I am grateful for the gift of being shown the world from inside another person's skin.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 17 and though I'm not severe like Wendy here, I was happy that I could relate to her. It helped me understand why I acted the way I did sometimes.

This is a really great read for those who have bipolar or know someone who has it. It's something that you should read all the way through. Be glad it's really easy to read through. For being something that most people write textbook about bipolar, Wendy makes it personal by telling her story, with facts about bipolar throughout the whole story.

Must read.

[Tracey Tooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent!! I have read a couple of books about bipolar disorder, but this one has come the closest to explaining how I feel. Fortunately, I do not have any addictions to go along with it. The way she was able to explain her highs and lows was was amazing!! First time I ever felt like someone else understands me.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to try to help understand what a family member is going through. I could have done without some of the details of her crazy antics in favor of more helpful information about what works or does not work in controlling this condition. Maybe it has more meaning to someone who also suffers from being bipolar.

[Nikky Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book, at this point in my life. I hard relate to a lot of it. Though I don't experience psychosis or intense mania like you see on TV, I learned a lot more about myself and my diagnosis and some things to help me on my journey of managing my bipolar. I welled up at the end and I want to start another book but I'm taking my time ruminating in it and journaling. I appreciate Wendy for writing this memoir and sharing her story. I know she's helped a lot of people with this.

[Lori H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

I highly recommend this book to any person or caregiver of a person suffering from bipolar disorder. The book is well written, balanced, and doesn't represent bipolar disorder from a radical, extremist way. The author gives us an inside view of her life with bipolar disorder that any person living with this disease can relate to. After all the hard work the author put in I was so happy to see her find peace and wellness in her life.

[Stacey Glaesmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Bipolar Disorder running through my family, I am always trying to find ways to understand what it's like to deal with this degenerative disease. Williamson describes her ordeals with mental health, substance abuse and memory problems due to ECT very clearly. if you're interested in learning more about the disease, definitely read this one.

[Poppy Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically written and a very honest and open account of a very troubled life with a great outcome

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good interesting read full of lots of interesting info that certainly could help if you know someone who is bipolar

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir had many good stories that paint a picture of what life is like with mania and with depression. She has persevered through quite a life. On a side note, the editor of this book should be fired. At times it didn't make sense, sometimes the wrong words were used (steel instead of steal). It was just plain terrible. It made the book frustrating to read. I cringed often.

[Corinne B. McGuire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to toss it because of horrible editing

The constant editing errors made this book difficult to read. The story was excellent. Editing was horrid. If you can get beyond repeated sentences and misplaced and repeated words throughout go for it, it's a good book. Because of the constant errors it was hard to enjoy and I was ready to give up.

[Bookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this memoir. An honest look at dealing with the struggles of bipolar. Inspiring

[Regina DiTrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very captivating and informative.

[Chris C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not well written. I put up with two chapters and then had to get out. I wish it was more interesting but it was rather banal for a book about severe mental illness.

[Sej S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very real, relatable, and raw. Editing was a little choppy but otherwise amazing

[Monica Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow... just wow...

I have never read something that felt so personal. I have had some very similar experiences, and it makes me look back on a very promiscuous time and think that maybe I don't have to feel the need to constantly put myself down about it. It happened and it's over and I'm just trying to move on from that. I learned that although the stigma is very strong you might just end up with a few people brave enough to tough it out with you. I have hope for a better future for myself.. this doesn't have to define me.

[Karen Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good book... written by a bipolar, sharing her experiences with manias and depressions. The ending states that bipolar people HAVE to work at keeping their disorder under control... as long as they work at it, it becomes easier in time.

[Caren Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not the best written the story is compelling and must have taken great courage to write and publish

[Dawn Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you want to stand up and shout. Yes! Bravo!!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting memoir, but it felt a little too rushed. The prose could have been more polished, but I guess it matches the author's crazy life.

[Sophie Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable content. Written well and kept my interest. A book I couldn't put down.