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Ms. Duke suffered from the classic kind of manic-depressive disorder, the most common one heard about, but not the most common in occurrence, Bipolar I. Some of the many signs she exhibited were bouts where she would take to her bed cover up with the covers and not come out for weeks at a time. Only coming out to go to the restroom, or to attempt suicide. She would lose all interest in sex, have very little self-esteem and could not make decisions. She continued to have trouble concentrating and have endless hopelessness. .
Patty also exhibited physical symptoms too. She had symptoms of a spastic colon, endometriosis, and her gums would hurt and even her hair would hurt. She admits that her disease was a genetic, chemical imbalance in the brain. The bipolar I had a life of its own. Often, she wonders how she did not just plain and simply, go crazy. She believes she had a predisposition; her father was an alcoholic, which is common in families with depression disorders. She suffered a tremendous loss when her mother left her with the Ross family. Therefore, she had to grieve the loss of a mother at a young age. She goes on to say how much better her life has become and how she can now see the signs of an episode in the early stages and is able to increase her dosage of medication to cope with or illuminate the mania before it gets out of control. This book was a very touching book. I do not enjoy reading, but after only a few chapters, I found myself unable to put it down as I wanted to know more. I have also ordered her other book, Call Me Anna, as I want to know more about her illness and her life and how she has maintained her lifestyle and self.
Patty Duke is the main character and co-author of the book, "A Brilliant Madness". She exhibits many common symptoms and behaviors known to manic depressive disorder. Some examples of her behaviors that lend the diagnosis of manic depressive disorder could be seen in her every day behavior.
