Review: Haldol and Hyacinths

I applaud Moezzi for putting a face on bipolar disorder. Well aware that mental illness remains hidden, often a source of shame for those who suffer, Moezzi has publicized her own battle with bipolar disorder. Growing up with a variety of advantages: a loving family, an excellent education, a calling to change the world, Moezzi never expected to find herself in a locked psychiatric ward. Years of misdiagnosis made it more difficult to come to terms with her illness.

I really enjoyed Moezzi's writing. She's funny, she's sarcastic, and she has a penchant for bad language (as do I). this is a book that talks about big issues while remaining true to the experiences and spirit of a twenty-something woman. As a Muslim and an Iranian-American, she offers interesting insights on what it means to have multiple identities, to be a sometimes-outsider, and to have to watch the turbulent politics of a meaningful place from the outside. If all of this sounds heavy, the book itself is not. It was an engaging and entertaining read, well worth reading for anyone trying to understand life with bipolar disorder.

Melody Moezzi, Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life (Avery, 2013) ISBN: 1583334688