When I Was Lost: A Mother's Struggle with Bipolar Disorder

by Glenna Gill

Named as one of the best books about bipolar disorder from Book Authority.

The abrupt end of Glenna's 15-year marriage is the beginning of her descent into hell. Her battle with bipolar disorder and lack of impulse control threaten her stable life with her two young boys.

At her lowest point, she is charmed by Micah, a manipulative narcissist. Glenna is led down a dark path of drug addiction, mental breakdowns, and domestic abuse. She must find a way to break free before she loses everything she holds dear, especially her children.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2019

About the author

Glenna Gill is a writer and blogger from the Treasure Coast of Florida. Her articles have been featured in Scary Mommy and P.S. I Love You. "When I Was Lost" is her first full-length book, a memoir of love, loss, and hope. Glenna is a wife to one, mom to three, friend to all.

Reviews

[Lori Yerxa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was Lost: A Mother’s Struggle with Bipolar, by Glenna K. Gill, is a memoir about her struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction.

This gut wrenching story will leave you disappointed over bad decisions and hopefully cheering that this time she’ll stay strong. Gill writes with such honesty and vulnerability, leaving a clear picture of the rock-bottom life she was living. She chronicles how she was just as addicted to her destructive relationship as she was to the drugs she took everyday to cope with the debilitating depression and anxiety from her specific type of bipolar disorder.

Seemingly too far gone to ever live a normal life, Gill somehow manages to summons the strength to finally break out of her self-induced hell and do what it takes to stay on track. Thanks to supportive people around her and children who never stopped loving their mom, Gill began to thrive in a new life.

This story will give hope to the hopeless and inspiration to those struggling to be productive members of society.

[J.E. Rowney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to be so gripped by this brave, open account. I was drawn into the book early on and read it in one sitting. I found myself wondering why some of the decisions had been made, but such is human nature. We don't always choose what is best for us. Despite the decisions made along the way, Glenna's story is one of a mother who clearly loves her children immensely, which makes some of the circumstances difficult reading at times. The author's honesty is refreshing and elevates this book to more than a memoir. Recommended read.

[Linda Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Can Get Ugly

This book is heart wrenching. The story is well written and expressed in a way that does not hold back, revealing the nature of Glenn's struggle for self identity and the destructive ways she used to cover the pain. I was definitely rooting for her and hoping she would finally get it.

[Tara Pisarczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less Bipolar, more addiction

I chose this book because I'm Bipolar and this book dealt, in excruciating detail, the constant tragedy the author put her self through. She often mentions being heart broken about being apart from her children as a priority. There is very little about the true daily vigilance it takes to live a sober life. Though I feel happy about the outcome, I wish there were more about her recovery. This is my first book by this author, so maybe I will find my own happy ending.

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing new but still pretty good

While this book focused more on substance abuse than Bipolar disorder, it should be pointed out that self medicating often goes hand in hand with this disease. I found the book to be very engaging, written at a fast pace, and am glad I read it.

[Aspen Lackland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story I am glad you persevered

Simply amazing I am glad I came across this amazing book this deserves praise and will forever be in my library

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t Put it Down!

I read all 397 pages today. I just couldn’t stop reading! Beautiful, fast moving story that I became emotionally involved in. Wow!

[Anntonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a roller coaster, with twists and turns that will leave your heart in your throat. I started reading it last night, read it before work this morning and looked forward to finishing it all day. The author did a great job of hooking me in early and making me care about her. The author’s disastrous dissent into addiction and untreated mental illness is painful to witness. The author doesn’t sugar coat her experiences. She convincingly conveys the hopelessness of codependency and addiction that trapped her for years. She holds nothing back. It is inspiring how the author’s love for her children and dream of being a mother to them again spurs her on to try again and again to recover, despite multiple failures. Her ultimate recovery is inspiring, proving the strength of the human spirit, the power of mother-love and the wisdom of never losing hope.

[Amy Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A challenging read

I struggled whether I should write a review or not. I don't want to judge the author, because that whole "Walk a Mile in my shoes" things, but I really did not like this book.
Every time I thought she was heading in a positive direction, she would end up in chaos again.
I hope she's better now and I hope her children are happy.

[Mary Swan-Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Glenna’s writing on Medium for several months and I was excited to read her story. Wow! Written with unapologetic honesty and transparency, this is an emotional and inspiring read.