Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life

I’ve only read a little so far( a couple chapters) but so far I like how she is real ans down to earth explaining her own feelings.

First, I'd like to address one of the reviews that gave this book two stars. Citing reasons such as the book being written in a manic state, foul language, and addressing the author's "vanity"- anyone who is bipolar, in the mental health system, or a friend or family member of someone with Bipolar, the way this book was written very much reflected the disorder itself.That being said, Ms. Moezzi didn't pull any punches. This is a VERY accurate account of what many Bipolar 1 patients go through. The one thing that makes this book stand out from the rest is how relatable the author is to people who have this illness. Unlike many Bipolar resource books that family, friends, and people with this disorder can read, she accurately describes the symptoms as well as indirectly citing resources and how important it is to have a support group (in her case, it was family, her husband, and friends). It isn't a resource book and doesn't have the kind of material that a resource book may have. However, reading her experience really provides a good account for people who know someone with bipolar and can't make sense of their actions and moods. I highly recommend this novel for everyone, especially those in the mental health field or those who are going into the mental health field. The problems cited about misdiagnosis run rampant with this disease as well as the questionable treatment by many doctors. It really is a great "What to Expect When Your Planning Your Future Career" manual in that sense. It is very hard for people who do not have this disease or are very close with someone with this disease to understand it and her memoir really helps make that connection at the author's own expense.Above all, this book is somewhat of a memoir. It is very well-written and it is also written in such a witty way that many people would enjoy reading it, along with family and friends of people with bipolar.

Moving, authentic, must-read from acclaimed award winning author Melody Moezzi. With the constant "outsider" perspective on the system, whether it be the bio/pharma/medical system, the public health system, the legal system, the immigration system, or the national security/international affairs system, Melody Moezzi manages to weave these aspects of her real life all together into one cohesive story that is quite moving and touching while remaining authentic and insightful. This book is a real must-read for anyone with an interest in mental health (personally, professionally, a family member/loved one who has a mental illness, etc.) and really hit a cord with me as many do not think of more traditionally "successful" people as struggling with mental health, let alone diagnoses like bipolar and manic depression. However with this moving emotional memoir, Melody Moezzi takes us on a journey from childhood to adulthood, through amazing success that most people only dream of (CNN, NPR commentator, award winning author not to mention lawyer, devoted daughter, sister, wife and friend) and the lows of being in an in-patient mental health facility on a number of occasions after a suicide attempt and other missteps. She chronicles her battle with mental health and incorrect diagnoses and unabashedly describes her own pain in very real terms and allows you to experience her struggles along side her. She is also not shy about describing the consequences of her misdiagnosis and the unintentional pain her struggle reaps on her loving family and devoted husband which really shows her ability as an author and person to experience reality from other perspectives an often under appreciated talent in a person and in a writer.. Melody Moezzi's Haldol and Hyacinths does what every good piece of writing does: tells a cohesive, compelling story, helping you learn something new along the way (in this instance mental health, the law, Iranian-Amerian culture, and so many other things). It is likely that anyone reading this book will walk away having learned something new and will be grateful for Meldoy Moezzi allowing us into her world. BRAVA Melody Jan!

I like the word "Life," in the title of Ms. Moezzi's book. How fitting, especially when the first sentence of the book starts this way: "There are plenty of reasons to kill yourself, but I've never had any." The remarkable personal story of the author, her appreciation of life, the struggle to live it, and the journey along the treacherous windy road to get to safety and comfort makes this book a gem. For people who have bipolar, this is a must read manuscript. For those who don't, this is eye-opening, fascinating, and a personal journey into the uncharted world of bipolar disorders. For those who work in this filed, this is a reality check and a practical how-to-manual. The author's unassuming and humble contribution to the bipolar society is immense. The author's daring and unselfish contribution to understanding minorities with diverse cultural background is unique and laudable. The book reads like a novel. Every page sets you up to expect more from subsequent pages and the subsequent pages will not disappoint; hence, you will find yourself engaged and unable to put the book down. The most remarkable quality of the author is the depth of her observation of her surroundings. Nothing skips her. Nothing. And that's what made this book interesting, captivating and compelling for me. When reading this book, I became Melody Moezzi. Her struggle became mine. I hoped the best for her as if I needed hope myself. I walked the journey with her. I was by her side in every page of the book, And isn't a great writer one whose writing let's you feel, see, smell, taste and touch what she is writing about? Ms. Moezzi's Haldol and Hyacinths did for me. I highly recommend this book.

I wish the edges of the pages weren't rugged