You Don't Have to Be Famous to Have Manic Depression: An Insider's Guide to Mental Health

by Jeremy Thomas, Tony Hughes

It's time to throw out all those old hang-ups about mental illness. Every other family in the land is or has been affected by depression and it's time to realise that good mental health is as important as physical. This entertaining and informative book will debunk the jargon, shake off the taboos and give fascinating insight into a complex subject. At its heart are the two authors, because Jeremy was diagnosed years ago with manic depression and Tony is his doctor. The first part of the book is a wonderfully winding dialogue between them, similar to John Cleese and his therapist in 'Families and how to Survive Them'. The second part is in the style of a Rough Guide, a one-stop resources shop. Jeremy and Tony are honest, knowledgeable, funny and poignant as they explore the thin line between sanity and mental illness. And ultimately, they hope the book may simply help a few people in the same boat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2006

Reviews

[Zenyatta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half the book is a written dialogue between patient and doctor, just as the book promises. This is followed by a few short summaries written by other people diagnosed with the same condition. The rest of the book is a glossary of sorts, pertaining to mental health, various performers, popular medical and recreational drugs - a somatic lexicon of terms you're most likely to bump into if you're familiar with the condition.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing yet useful - there are lots of identifiable anecdotes, a good A to Z and information provided in a light-hearted accessible way.
This book is in 2020 out of date with some resources and language but still on the whole well worth a read, as largely experience and for the most part definition have not changed.

[Mary-Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off great - easily read open convo between patient/doc who are also friends. Very honest and upfront. Lost interest as it went on to different formats

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book. Gives tips and suggests self help websites.

[Sarah Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent, accessible, enjoyable read. I liked being able to look at the situation from the perspective of both the doctor and the patient. I liked the frank, no-nonsense style of writing too.