Madness

A Bipolar Life

By: Marya Hornbacher

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Award-winning author of Wasted, Marya Hornbacher's astonishing New York Times best-selling memoir from the belly of bipolar disorder.

Marya Hornbacher tells the story that until recently she had no idea was hers to tell: that of her life with Type I ultra-rapid-cycle bipolar disorder, the most severe form of bipolar disease.

In Madness, Hornbacher relates that bipolar can spawn eating disorders, substance abuse, promiscuity, and self-mutilation, and that for too long these symptoms have masked, for many of the three million people in America with bipolar, their underlying illness. Hornbacher’s fiercely self-aware portrait of bipolar, starting as early as age four, will surely powerfully change the current debate over whether bipolar can begin in childhood.

Through scenes of astonishing visceral and emotional power, she takes us inside her own desperate attempts to counteract violently careening mood swings. How Hornbacher fights her way up from a madness that all but destroys her, and what it is like to live in a difficult and sometimes beautiful life and marriage—where bipolar always beckons—is at the center of this brave and heart-stopping memoir.

Lets you empathize with those dealing with bipolar

A very personal account and does not hold back. It is rare to get such an intimate description of what it is like to suffer from bipolar and the constellation of other disorders that surround the author.

THANK YOU!!!!!

So so many of these thoughts and feelings I have had. I have bipolar and am only recently understanding my 2 personalities. Madness is always a financial drain, no matter what the current , center of my universe. I have never had an interest that did not become an obsession only to be dropped just as quickly as it began. The flight of ideas, asking myself if I am just lazy, because, I am sure I have heard bipolar and thought hmmm they probably just dont want to work. Now my current crisis is showing me what that looks like from the other side. So much of much of how I feel was so dead on that I would find myself crying. Thank you so much for articulating these experiences. it validates and educates me. It explains so much of why I am the way I am. It is ok to say I am not living my best life and it's ok to ask for help when things are not right.

Great story

I am very interested in books about bipolar. This book is everything I was looking for. The story is compelling and is read beautifully!

Deeply connecting

When I stumbled over "Wasted" I could not hit the stop button on my phone. "Madness" was different. I sometimes needed a pause. It's full on! I used to think my life was rough with a range of addictions. Hearing Marya's story restored my gratitude for the life I got. I had no idea about the pain and suffering that can go along with having a bipolar life. The book is written authentic and true, no detail, no matter how painful left out. I love this book and I'm sure it will leave you looking at the world and yourself a bit different.

very enlightening

VERY strong. Dating a Bi-polar woman she wanted me to know about the unpredictable ride ahead if we became serious.