I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar

By: Wendy K. Williamson

Narrated by: Miranda Stewart

Amazon best-seller Wendy K. Williamson 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 listener 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.

©2010 Wendy K. Williamson (P)2014 Wendy K. Williamson

A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF BIPOLAR

My niece has bipolar, along with several other mental health issues and additions. I wanted, no NEEDED a better understanding of how her mind works.
We have been raising 2 of her children for over 2 years now. It has been such a roller-coaster ride. 6 months of hardly any contact from her. I will only talk to her in family therapy, as she is too manic. She has missed 4 of our last 6 sessions. I am ready to completely cut ties, but my husband is struggling, "That's their mom!" he protest. I told my niece if she stays sober, safe and stable she can talk with kids. My husband agreed to supervise visits. She is still unstable, but at least she seems sober. She says she is on her medications and doing much better. Since the children feel safe and secure in our home now, and I am not involved in visits I have agreed to allow limited visits. I know letting her video chat with her kids will help her move foward.
I started searching for a better understanding of her insane behavior. Thanks to this book I now have more empathy for her. Wendy did an excellent job of bringing me into her mind. She allowed me to hear her brain process decision making. She explains the manic episodes well. She spoke about things I have never heard, like spring and summer being peak mania season (these are times my niece avoided her kids). Best of all, the ending was VERY informative. Tools for my niece to get healthier. Things that will help her to stay focused and groups she can get involved in for support.
I have a better understanding of why my niece is struggling so much. I NEEDED THAT!
Like Wendy, my niece is a creative writer. Deep down, my niece is a good person, smart, loving to her kids, and has the ability to be a great mom! I have seen it, so has the social workers! We ALL thought my niece would get the kids back, but sadly another spring/summer and another manic episode. Anyhow, I will be getting this book for my niece. I will also be getting some therapy on my own. This will help me stomach the next 15 yrs of this journey. That's when our newest and youngest child graduates... ps. Our youngest bio-son is 21 yrs old. Go 2033! Yike!
THANK YOU WENDY FOR GIVING ME HOPE AGAIN!
Auntie Lisa

I have a bipolar daughter

As the mother of a daughter with bipolar I found this book helpful in understanding the craziness of mania and despair of depression. It is admirable that Wendy has shared with us her many years of suffering, coming to terms with her illness and how she lives her life with a grateful spirit.

Great subject.

Great book, but reader didn't have much range of character. Have bipolar and have had similar experiences which made for good connection with author.

It had its moments

Great storytelling, but the narrator isn't my favorite. It's a bit too religious for me. The self help portion goes on way too long.

Hope!

Being newly diagnosed at 51, your story really gave me hope. Your last part with suggestions was particularly helpful. Thank you.

Me Too!

I suffer with BiPolar 2 and as did my mother, sister and now my step daughter. This book is wonderful and sometimes horrific journey to one fighting this disease and learning to live with the effects of BiPolar. What I liked was how she recognized the psychological hacks in the profession and all those who kept trying to get her off her medication. For my specific version of BiPloar her story of how she to overcame bad relationships helped me. Great book that gives hope in our life long fight against the disease.

Horrible narration... Ruins the content

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The voice of the narrator is completely monotone with poor annunciation and in general just sounds grating and awful to listen to. It took away from the story so much because the voice does not match the mood or tone of the book she just sounds incredibly depressed and careless when the words are trying to convey a completely different message. When talking about mania she sounds so sluggish and down and it just takes away from the author's account of her experience. I really wanted to like this book I even sped it up to 1.5x to make her sound more upbeat and get through it. I hope it will be re-narrated at some point I would like to hear it conveyed well.

Anyone struggling with Bipolar should read/listen!

What did you love best about I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar?

Not Crazy Just Bipolar is such a relatable book for any women coming into their own and discovering their own battle with mental illness. Listing to Wendy's story is comforting, someone else has gone through similar experiences and come out on the other end!

What was one of the most memorable moments of I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar?

The whole books is memorable!

What does Miranda Stewart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love the book in print and now that I can listen to it by Miranda is just the icing on the cake!

What insight do you think you’ll apply from I'm Not Crazy Just Bipolar?

I have already stopped judging myself as harshly as I did yesterday because I'm NOT crazy I'm just Bipolar!

I felt the author was speaking directly to me.

She really cares about other people, like myself, with Bipolar. She wrote this book not only to tell her story but truly to try & help others. Very genuine & true! Thank you.

Honest, interesting story, but

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this to a friend who had bipolar disorder, or knew someone who was, but that's it. Sometimes I felt like I was muddling this book. It lacked a high level of detail, the author under explained certain things and over explained others, and used silly metaphors that were often distracting. At times the writing itself felt very juvenile.