Manic Episodes and the Dark Side

Book excerpt: Manic Episodes and the Dark Side draws the reader in with an autobiographical sketch of a misspent youth, then plunges into the terror of bipolar illness. Rich Patton travels the rocky road from the darkness of seemingly hopeless depression to the frightening experiences of manic psychosis. Following the sometimes humorous, but more often tragic, thirty-four years of the authors experiences with psychiatric wards, a state mental hospital, arrests, criminal incarcerations and trials, broken marriages and suicide attempts, the reader will be heartened to find there is hope. Those who struggle with this illnesseither personally or with a loved onewill benefit from learning how the author has successfully coped and achieved in spite of his illness. Included in this book are Six Pathways to the Lighta guide for surviving the darkest hours, including the embrace of a spiritual life.