Jamison, K. R. (1995). An unquiet mind. New York: Vintage Books.

Reviewer:
Rachael Walling

Curricular Areas:
Counselor Education, Professional Identity

Subject Headings:
Bipolar disorders

Review:
Kay Redfield Jamison, Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director of John Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, and board member of the National Network of Depression Centers has suffered from her own mental illness since she was seventeen. While pursuing her career in academic medicine and working with patients of mental illness, Jamison herself was struggling with Bipolar Disorder. She found herself acting out in violence, struggling with relationships, and riding the vicious roller coaster of Bipolar Disorder all while maintaining her professional character, hiding this from most of her co-workers.

In her book, An Unquiet Mind, Jamison brings us into her deepest cycles of Bipolar allowing one to understand the disease from a personal perspective. At times it seems as though Jamison is defeated by the disorder but then displays courage, strength and power to defeat the cruel mania and depression.

This exceptional personal memoir can assist a counselor in understanding how one may be able to work through a disorder, and also that mental illness can be anywhere. Even the most professional, proficient, and experienced individuals working to help those suffering from mental illness may be struggling themselves. Self-awareness, as well as awareness of those around us is extremely important especially to ensure proper care of clients.

At times it seems unethical that Jamison continued her work during strong episodes of the disorder, but she continued to research, treat, and teach. She resisted medication many times which is something counselors experience by their clients.

An Unquiet Mind is an exceptional book and a great read for anybody in the counseling field.