Reviewer Jessica Roberts is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews CLICK HERE
Author: Kate McLaughlin
Publisher: Behler Publications
ISBN: 978-1-933016-49-8
If there is one woman who knows all about Bipolar Disorder then it should be Kate McLaughlin, mother of two children who suffer from this medical condition. She is the author of the touching book Mommy I’m Still Here.
Author: Kate McLaughlin
Publisher: Behler Publications
ISBN: 978-1-933016-49-8
If there is one woman who knows all about Bipolar Disorder then it should be Kate McLaughlin, mother of two children who suffer from this medical condition. She is the author of the touching book Mommy I’m Still Here.
McLaughlin informs us that the first signs of Bipolar Disorder may not be that noticeable, but when her daughter, Chloe, started having mood swings and putting on weight, she knew something was wrong. A trip to the doctor, however, did not provide McLaughlin with the right answers that she desperately sought. She even ruled out Bipolar Disorder, thinking that it couldn’t be possible for her child to have inherited it from her grandmother who had this illness.
Yet, when Chloe complained of feeling she had no energy and then began to play her music loudly, Kate decided to consult with a Dr. Kahil, in the hope he would pick up on something she had missed.
After discussing her symptoms with him, Dr Kahil diagnosed young Chloe with Bipolar Disorder - a mental disease that can result in the patient hearing voices and having gory, violent nightmares. In addition, sufferers may be compelled to purposely hurt themselves. They also requently fantasize about committing suicide, even though something inside of these individuals don't want to follow through. This was quite evident in Chloe’s case as she confesses to her Mum:
“When I’m thinking about a door or a window, I see pictures in my head of all the blood. I see what it would look like if I did it. I see the cuts, the bleeding, and the pieces of glass in my flesh. I have to work hard not to do it.”
Helpless, Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Passages in her journal describe her feelings: “I am increasingly aware of the inaccuracy and uselessness of judging others. We never know a full story or understand the complete scenario.”
Candidly she reveals how she was there when her daughter needed her and how she soothed her when she started to complain of hearing voices and imagining things. Chloe terribly feared of being left alone when the voices she heard became louder as she desperately tried to drown them out with music.Most of the time it worked but when it didn’t, she expressed herself in frightening ways resulting in much anguish and heartache for her family.
In life many of us can be terribly judgemental because someone has a disability. Friends that you thought were close to you can suddenly can ignore you, others, though can throw you that lifeline that you need and help you to get better. And of course with loving parents and siblings who look out for each other, life is made much easier.
An ultimately touching, frank book about a mental disease which many of us know very little.
McLaughlin has done a brilliant job and I hope it raises awareness and informs people more about Bipolar Disorder.