Of all the fields in the world of health, there’s one in particular that has grown not merely in popularity, but also in acknowledgment and understanding. That field, of course, is the mental health field, and while more and more people are learning to accept mental health as a real struggle and mental health disorders are becoming more well-known, there’s still so much about mental health that people do not understand, and there are a lot of misconceptions out there that drive rumors and untrained perceptions which can lead to a detrimental end.
Understanding mental health, and in particular, the struggles of those who have bipolar disorder, is the central focus of Author Benton Savage’s Wrong Side Out: Madness Misdiagnosed. The book is a blend of memoir storytelling and a self-help guide for those who either struggle with or know someone who struggles with bipolar disorder. The author takes an honest look at his life after being diagnosed with this condition and the hardships he endured as a result. Drawing on the lessons learned from these struggles and the help they needed, the author highlights the need not only for medication, but also for understanding and compassion for those living with this condition, as well as self-acceptance and self-love.
The author did a fantastic job of writing in a way that felt honest and conversational throughout most of this book. The book itself offers a powerful insight into the internal struggles and hardships that those born with this illness often face in life, including the stigma surrounding it. The author did a fantastic job layering personal anecdotes and experiences which highlighted these struggles, while also focusing on the guidance and system that helped the author not only recognize their condition but face it head-on. The raw feelings and emotions the author touched upon- confusion and even fear surrounding their diagnosis, and the year spent not really knowing what he was experiencing were profound and insightful to read about.
This is the perfect book for those who enjoy non-fiction books on mental health, as well as self-help and memoir-style writing. This honest, self-reflective memoir balances the hardships faced with a glimmer of hope and an acknowledgment of the struggles they know they will face. Any reader who has either experienced this condition or knows someone who has understood the stigma and the false claims that can often be attributed to those who suffer from bipolar disorder, including a reputation of violence against others, will be able to relate to this book and its message. The reality of those who suffer from bipolar disorder is that they are more likely to become victims of violence than they are likely to be perpetrators of it. The bigger concerns are around depressive states and fears of self-harm, a topic that the author carefully and thoughtfully approaches with an honest voice and caring that the reader can feel in the author’s every word. It is a compelling read for anyone interested in mental health, personal resilience, and the search for answers.
