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An Unquiet Mind

A Memoir of Moods and Madness

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An Unquiet Mind

By: Kay Redfield Jamison
Narrated by: Kay Redfield Jamison
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About this listen

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A deeply powerful memoir about bipolar illness that has both transformed and saved lives—with a new preface by the author.

Dr. Jamison is one of the foremost authorities on manic-depressive (bipolar) illness; she has also experienced it firsthand. For even while she was pursuing her career in academic medicine, Jamison found herself succumbing to the same exhilarating highs and catastrophic depressions that afflicted many of her patients, as her disorder launched her into ruinous spending sprees, episodes of violence, and an attempted suicide.

Here Jamison examines bipolar illness from the dual perspectives of the healer and the healed, revealing both its terrors and the cruel allure that at times prompted her to resist taking medication.

©1995 Kay Redfield Jamison (P)2010 Random House Mental Health Mood Disorders Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Health Memoir Medicine

Critic Reviews

“An invaluable memoir of manic depression, at once medically knowledgeable, deeply human and beautifully written ... at times poetic, at times straightforward, always unashamedly honest.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Stands alone in the literature of manic-depression for its bravery, brilliance and beauty.”—Oliver Sacks

“Jamison’s [strength] is in the gutsy way she has made her disease her life’s work and in her brilliant ability to convey its joys and its anguish.... Extraordinary.” —Washington Post Book World
All stars
Most relevant
a brilliant personal memoir for those that struggle to understand and contemplate their own personal struggles... this book is evidence that you are not alone

brilliant personal memoir for those that struggleq

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Some parts were struggle to hear, because the book is so amazinly good. Explains so good about the effects that bipolar disease can have on one's life.

Amazingly good to hear

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Won't someone please narrate Touched With Fire? I so loved that book and would love to listen to it

Just fantastic. I so love Kay's writing.

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Kay’s ability to find the words and accurately depict the highs and lows of manic depressive illness are a gift to all who have come into contact with the illness. I am glad that she found the courage and dignity to tell her personal story and it is a tremendous help to others - very few are brave enough to articulate the harsh realities and positives of the illness in such a truthful and well considered way. Well done Kay and thank you very much for your very large contribution!

Rewarding and Insightful

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As a health professional with bipolar disorder I don’t think I have ever related more to a story than this one!
Intriguing, joyful, heartbreaking… I loved this audiobook

Inspiring

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I found this a great listen for giving me understanding of her mind and experience. The authors wording and explanations were beautiful- the description painted a picture in my mind that touched me.

Vulnerability at its best!

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insight into the mind of someone with manic depression. listened to it all within 24 hours.

A lot of repeated statements but over all a great

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Insightful, in particular as it covers Kay's life with manic depressive illness since her teens, along her path of becoming educated and on to how it has both impacted and benefitted her professional development as a clinical and research psychiatrist.

The three words that come to mind are reality, clarity and hope. I enjoyed this story very much.

By a psychiatrist who has lived manic depressive illness since her teens

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I have had bipolar for over 30 years now … and this audio book has taught me so much about the illness and gives much hope.
Thanks.

Thank you

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I really enjoyed reading this book for my studies. When struggling with the text I decided to start listening and reading at the same time, I quickly got very confused because the audiobook misses large chunks of the book.

A great story but audiobook misses chunks of the written text

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.