More or Less Maddy, by Lisa Genova →

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Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out University freshman, except she isn’t. Maddy has been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and soon spirals into a wild mania that takes her to her breaking point.

While she was at school, she was prescribed some medication that triggered some manic episodes. As her story unfolds, we see the impact that her family and friends have on her and how she struggles with school, but her bipolar manifests itself in her mind as she considers who she is and what she wants to be good at.

The book gives the reader a clearer understanding of what A bipolar situation is. Rather than just saying it is a period of extreme mood swings, increased energy, or disturbed behavior we can understand how Maddy is driven to extremes by her own goals. Maddy wants to be a comedian, but her mother initially sees that as delusional. The clarity this misperception by her mother adds to Maddy’s condition are eye openers.