What do you think?
Rate this book
Psychosis: How I Escaped My Mind’s Darkest Reality: The True Story of Bipolar Disorder I Wish I’d Been Told Before
How I Escaped My Mind's Darkest RealityWhat happens when a 23-year-old professional suddenly believes he's Batman, Jesus Christ, and Saint Michael all at once?
In this raw, unflinching memoir about bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression) and psychosis, Mike McDonnell takes you inside the terrifying reality of losing your mind and the hard-fought journey back to sanity.
From corporate burnout to psychiatric ward in the blink of an eye, this deeply personal account
The subtle early warning signs of mental illness most people missThe shocking experience of being sectioned under the Mental Health ActHow sleep deprivation and workplace stress can trigger a psychotic breakThe surreal, sometimes darkly funny moments of psychosis (like ordering pineapple bucket hats while believing you're saving the world)Practical insights for recovery and managing bipolar disorder long-termUnlike clinical descriptions or sugar-coated narratives, this honest account shows both the darkness of severe mental illness and the possibility of rebuilding your life afterward.
This book is essential reading experiencing mental health challenges or bipolar symptomsFamily members supporting loved ones with psychosis or mental illnessProfessionals wanting to understand the lived experience of psychotic episodesAnybody who's ever felt broken and wondered if recovery is possibleMental health crises affect millions, yet psychosis remains widely misunderstood and stigmatised. This memoir breaks through that silence with courage, humour, and hard-won wisdom.
"The book I desperately needed when I was at my lowest point. A powerful testimony that even after complete psychological breakdown, healing and a meaningful life is possible."
In this raw, unflinching memoir about bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression) and psychosis, Mike McDonnell takes you inside the terrifying reality of losing your mind and the hard-fought journey back to sanity.
From corporate burnout to psychiatric ward in the blink of an eye, this deeply personal account
The subtle early warning signs of mental illness most people missThe shocking experience of being sectioned under the Mental Health ActHow sleep deprivation and workplace stress can trigger a psychotic breakThe surreal, sometimes darkly funny moments of psychosis (like ordering pineapple bucket hats while believing you're saving the world)Practical insights for recovery and managing bipolar disorder long-termUnlike clinical descriptions or sugar-coated narratives, this honest account shows both the darkness of severe mental illness and the possibility of rebuilding your life afterward.
This book is essential reading experiencing mental health challenges or bipolar symptomsFamily members supporting loved ones with psychosis or mental illnessProfessionals wanting to understand the lived experience of psychotic episodesAnybody who's ever felt broken and wondered if recovery is possibleMental health crises affect millions, yet psychosis remains widely misunderstood and stigmatised. This memoir breaks through that silence with courage, humour, and hard-won wisdom.
"The book I desperately needed when I was at my lowest point. A powerful testimony that even after complete psychological breakdown, healing and a meaningful life is possible."
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
17 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 4, 2025
An eye-watering account of one person's experience of having psychosis. That statement in itself seems trivial and does not properly equate what Mike went through, but more importantly came out the other side and made full recovery and is now medication free.
Working in mental health, I never tire of reading clients, service users, patients or as I prefer to refer to people as individuals of their story. For they are far better educating me on how I can support them better than any psychiatrist I work for.
Mike's book is excellent for anyone experiencing psychosis, for carers, for friends, and any mental health practitioner who wants to understand how it truly feels. Most of all, Mike gives hope that recovery is achievable.
The one area of this book that stands out for me and makes it different to others is the section on stigma and disclosure and the negative impacts it has. My whole raison d'etre for joining EIP services was to reduce social stigma surrounding psychosis.
I can't thank Mike enough for having the courage to write this book. If you want to meet the author you can like, I have subscribe to his YouTube channel - Mike McDonnell Psychosis Lived Experience.
Wishing you continued success and best of luck with your upcoming wedding.
Working in mental health, I never tire of reading clients, service users, patients or as I prefer to refer to people as individuals of their story. For they are far better educating me on how I can support them better than any psychiatrist I work for.
Mike's book is excellent for anyone experiencing psychosis, for carers, for friends, and any mental health practitioner who wants to understand how it truly feels. Most of all, Mike gives hope that recovery is achievable.
The one area of this book that stands out for me and makes it different to others is the section on stigma and disclosure and the negative impacts it has. My whole raison d'etre for joining EIP services was to reduce social stigma surrounding psychosis.
I can't thank Mike enough for having the courage to write this book. If you want to meet the author you can like, I have subscribe to his YouTube channel - Mike McDonnell Psychosis Lived Experience.
Wishing you continued success and best of luck with your upcoming wedding.
Displaying 1 of 1 review