Modern Madness
An Owner's Manual

Quotes

"Terri Cheney's unflinching commitment to telling her own truth on her own terms moved me into a new place of compassion. Hers is an unparalleled--and deeply necessary--voice."—Anne Hathaway, Academy Award-winning actress

"Terri Cheney paints a compelling picture of the mind of someone with mental illness, helping us to understand what it must feel like and causing us to sympathize with, not fear, those who suffer. Her book is a real stigma-buster -- and a must-read."—Elyn Saks, author of New York Times bestseller The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness, 2009 MacArthur Genius recipient

"This book is for everyone: people struggling with mental illness, their family and friends, and all those on the front lines of the U.S. mental health crisis. To be truly effective, today's advocates need a better vocabulary that captures what it means to live with mental illness, to struggle, to survive, and to take ownership of one's life. Modern Madness provides that unique vocabulary by illuminating something that touches all of us."—Former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, founder of The Kennedy Forum, author of A Common Struggle

"In Modern Madness, Terri Cheney does something much more than simply reveal the struggles and challenges of those who have bipolar--she provides a menu of concrete, actionable steps that both those with bipolar and their family and friends can take to manage the inevitable ups and downs of this disease together. She aptly depicts the ways in which suicidal thoughts can silently stalk sufferers, and she rages passionately against us accepting the alarming acceleration in the number of suicides in America. This is a moving and insightful book that will make a meaningful difference."—Suzy Favor Hamilton, three-time Olympian and New York Times bestselling author of Fast Girl

"Modern Madness is not just a psychological roller coaster; it's a story of determination, self-efficacy, and hope. A great read for anyone grappling with bipolar illness and a must-read for anyone who loves someone with bipolar illness."—Thomas Insel, MD, Former Director of National Institute of Mental Health, Co-Founder Mindstrong Health and NEST Health

"I heartfully recommend Terri Cheney's smart and eloquent book Modern Madness to anyone who has the disorder, has a friend or relative who has it--or just wants to know about this extraordinarily common challenge. Terri is a compassionate and engaging writer as well as an important truth teller."—Sheila Weller, author of Carrie Fisher: A Life on the Edge and Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--and the Journey of a Generation

"I've read dozens of books and articles while researching my documentary about bipolar disorder, "Of Two Minds." Nothing illustrates the humanity of someone living with a mental illness like Terri's stories -- all told with warmth, humor, exquisite language, and unwavering honesty."—Lisa Klein, director, Of Two Minds and The S Word

"Terrifically real. Cheney opens a window to the reality of living with bipolar and gives us hope. Like with her first book Manic, I often felt I was peeping into Cheney's soul when reading the book. It's hard to watch, but impossible to look away. "—Julie A. Fast, author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder

"With taut and witty prose, Terri Cheney takes us on an unblinking tour of the actual experience of bipolar disorder. Each chapter allows us to experience the daily joy, terror, resolve and compassion of a mind bargaining with itself. This is not just a recital of clinical symptoms, this is a journey into the human psyche. It is a stunning addition to the literature on mental illness and should be required reading for all medical students and mental health professionals."—Louisa Benton, Executive Director, Hope for Depression Research Foundation

"Darkly funny, painfully optimistic, and full of smart advice about things most people won't even admit are things. An engaging, evidence-based thrill ride for people with these disorders and those who love them."—Stephen Fried, author of Rush: Revolution, Madness & the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father and co-author, with Patrick Kennedy, of A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction