Modern Madness

An Owner's Manual

By: Terri Cheney

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Terri Cheney ripped the covers off her secret battle with bipolar disorder in her New York Times best-selling memoir, Manic. Now, in this "stigma-buster" and "must-read", she blends a gripping narrative with practical advice (Elyn Saks).

Cheney flips mental illness inside out, exposing the visceral story of the struggles, stigma, relationship dilemmas, treatments, and recovery techniques she and others have encountered. Sometimes humorous, sometimes harrowing, Modern Madness is the ultimate owner's manual on mental illness, breaking this complex subject down into readily understandable concepts like instructions for use, troubleshooting, maintenance, and warranties.

Whether you have a diagnosis, love or work with someone who does, or are just trying to understand this emerging phenomenon of our times, Modern Madness is a courageous clarion call for acceptance, both personal and public. With her candid and riveting writing, Cheney delivers more than heartbreak; she promises hope.

©2020 Terri Cheney (P)2020 Hachette Go

Critic reviews

"Terri Cheney paints a compelling picture of the mind of someone with mental illness, helping us to understand what it must feel like and causing us to sympathize with, not fear, those who suffer. Her book is a real stigma-buster - and a must-read." (Elyn Saks, author of New York Times best seller The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness, 2009 MacArthur Genius recipient)

"Cheney's book is a gut-wrenching ride." (Los Angeles Times)

"With evocative imagery...Cheney conjures life at the mercy of a brain chemistry that yanks her from 'soul-starving' despair to raucous exuberance, impetuous pursuits to paralyzing lethargy...More than a train-wreck tearjerker, the memoir draws strength from salient observations...startlingly lucid descriptions." (Publishers Weekly)

Authentic

An authentic book, with honest and insight for healing! When you love someone with bipolar, this IS the book that will give understanding and hope!

I am not alone.

Thank you.

You mentioned Hope being an active verb. I agree and also feel Love is an action verb as well. It is not just something we feel it is something we do. I listened to your book as a way to Love myself. Actively participating in my own healing and diagnosis. My husband is also reading this as a way to know and to love me. Knowing I am not alone and accepting who I am is one more step of finding love in dark places.

If you or someone you know is Bipolar, I highly recommend this book. Honest and raw and beautifully read.

So cathartic!

I have never connected with a life story like this. She’s made me understand and see so much as a 29 year old that was diagnosed at 27. Amazing to not feel alone for the first time.

neat life

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Terrie's life. her stories helped me. I recommend this book.

Terri’s personal experiences are totally relatable.

I have bipolar disorder. Terri’s stories evoke strong emotions in me. I hang on to her every experience. Rewinding and listening multiple times. I have been there. Her story is my life. I’ve ‘befriended’ Terri as a companion in the bipolar journey. I feel sad that her book has to came to an end. Yet I feel joy from knowing a ‘friend’ in our shared odyssey.