The Book
Bipolar disorder is a no casserole illness that leaves its victims paralyzed by the stigma of mental illness. This 48,000 word nonfiction book tells my story of how Diane fought the “Beast” and rallied back to sanity. From six inpatient hospital stays and two residential treatment stays to medication adjustments and therapy visits, Diane journaled her adventure to recovery.
Journals from a Broken Mind takes an inside look at mental illness and uses Diane's experience to educate her world about the disease. This book engages the target audience of individuals with mental illness and the loved ones of those who suffer. Diane has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). She desires to share the hope found on her road to recovery. God strategically placed people in her path throughout her journey. Each relationship captures their unique love for Diane to see her through to the end of her struggles. Diane is here today because of God's amazing love poured out on her through the direct involvement of her support team. If you are reading this because someone you love has mental illness, you will gain further insight into how to confront challenges that may surface. Those of you reading this book who live similar stories can find validation in Diane's story and learn of treatments that have and have not worked on her road to recovery.
Diane was diagnosed at 34 with bipolar disorder after the birth of her third child. She has come to realize she has had it since she was 6 yrs old. Bipolar disorder is a very distinct illness, yet it seems to be so hard to diagnose. Terri Cheney (author of Manic: A Memoir and The Dark Side Of Innocents: Growing Up Bipolar) and Diane both refer to their bipolar illness as the Beast. The bipolar does not think like Diane nor does it act like Diane. It becomes a separate entity known as the Beast. It is her hope you will gain greater understanding into a bipolar, PTSD and PMDD mind as you read through prayers, journals, poems and scripture of Journals from a Broken Mind. The book is published by Brentwood Christian Press.