Bipolar Disorder - Who Knew?: A Husband's Memoir

BIPOLAR DISORDER - WHO KNEW? begins with the story of a young architecture student living on a sailboat; while working his way through college he crosses paths with an attractive young graphic artist, and eventually falls in love. Surrounded by many friends at the time, the author gives account to their perspective as they watched from the outside, this attractive young woman reel him in. The next thing he knows, he is married, has a child, moved to the suburbs, and has traded his boat in for a lawn mower. The story is actually a sincere and heartfelt memoir. Originally written for his three children, the author, Dana Gilliland wanted to document how he had met their mother, and the incredible story that followed, of which they were a part of. He wanted them to see the good in her, and what a great mother she was before the extreme case of Bipolar Disorder took over. With reconstructed dialogue, the book is an easy read. Throughout the text, hints are dropped keeping the reader captivated and curious as to what could possibly be happening next. Some of these hints were warning signs the author should have picked up on at the time. There were many good times with friends and neighbors, and family sailing trips in the Santa Barbara Channel, but later this amazing and sometimes unbelievable story is further complicated by the decisions that have to be made for the well being of the children. In the end is the uncontrollable and unbearable outcome.