About "Neural Misfire"

Between 1% and 5% of the population are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression. Bipolar disorder, typically a permanent illness, causes debilitating depression, mania, and sometimes delusions, all of which devastate the lives of the afflicted, their family, and friends. Sufferers often seek solace through medication, therapy, and the experiences of other manic-depressives. Personal accounts of manic-depression are in demand by the ill, their families, and friends, who seek to understand and cope with a frustrating road to wellness.

Books about mental illness have steadily become more mainstream, including "Girl, Interrupted," which was recently made into a motion picture. Jeff D. Kazmierczak has written a unique personal account of bipolar disorder, titled "Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression," designed to appeal to manic-depressives, their families, friends, and mental healthcare providers, as well as the masses accustomed to suspense and psychological drama.

Accounts of mental illness, whether written by relatives, mental healthcare providers, or manic-depressives, are in relatively short supply. Personal accounts of bipolar disorder written in the third-person and presented as novels are almost non-existent. "Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression" is such a novel based on a true story and contains a continuous storyline, which describes the main character's path from the onset of symptoms of depression, to mania, and finally to initial treatment.

Each chapter is time-stamped in order to punctuate the scope of the stages in his 9-month progression from the onset of the illness to its initial treatment. The main character's raw thoughts are provided in italics, so that the reader may view them in the context of his and other characters' actions and dialogue.

"Neural Misfire: A True Story of Manic-Depression" allows the reader to step into the manic-depressive's shoes and see not only his stange actions and odd dialogue but also his wild mental process.

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Customer Insight

I happen to have the honor of knowing the author, although in limited contact only. Each time I speak with him, he never fails to hold my attention. It is his outlook, perceptions, and energy that captivate me. When he told me he wrote a book that was autobiographical, I was fascinated. He seemed hesitant at first to discuss it's subject matter, but when he saw my interest and enthusiam, he could not contain his need to open his world up to me and invite me to experience a part of it with him. So I purchased the book and began. It starts out with a flash of an all too grim reality of the effect this illness has on one's personality and mood, and how it can hurt and sometimes destroy not only the inflicted but any family and friends involved: the tornado and it's path. And so we begin with a young man trying to discover his identity. He quickly discovers his homosexuality, and accepts this with ease. He seems to exist effortlessly: the calm before the storm. When he begins college, each day brings a new struggle, challenge, adventure. He becomes very uncomfortable with himself, although he has no idea why. The less people understand him, the more superior he feels. This begins his rapid spiralling descent through misery and despair. He can not seem to get along with anyone, including his roommates. He soon finds himself bouncing in and out of institutions, each time learning how to deceive his way out of each one. He intimidates and threatens everyone who loves, supports, and believes in him. He is finally tricked into entering a hospital and begins taking medication in order to control his emotions, his temper, and his life: the storm subsides. This book is an emotional roller coaster. You can't help but just want one person to hear his cry for help, yet all the while you want to knock some sense into him. I really enjoyed reading this book. I always find it fascinating to see life through another person's eyes, and have the opportunity to live someone elses's life, and hopefully walk away with a better understanding...maybe even a greater appreciation for what we each have in our own selves. I am very anxious to sit down with Jeff and discuss the his experiences, and continue the story where the book leaves off... I do recommend this to anyone who knows someone who is suffering from manic depression..or has it themselves. I came away with a much better understanding, and a realization that manic depression is more common than we may think. I'm sure that writing this book was as therapuetic as it was inspiring.! Remember Jeff, you are not alone!

B.
Chicago, IL