The Second: A Memoir of Love and Commitment

More about the book

Discover the gripping first-person account of a woman confronting the onset of bipolar disorder, the strain on her marriage, and her journey to manage mental illness. In 1987, an unexpected pregnancy shakes the life of a suburban Minneapolis mother of three. Seeking control, she turns to a friendly OB-GYN, but boundaries blur after the child’s arrival, leading to a fixation on the doctor. As her marriage and mental health teeter on the edge, a fateful summer night pushes her to believe she is the Second Coming, resulting in her admission to a psychiatric ward. Through hard-earned wisdom, she reflects on her years battling bipolar disorder, navigating various psychiatrists, and discovering self-help methods. While raising her children, she also grapples with evolving marital dynamics after uncovering a painful secret. Can her marriage endure? Will the doctor remain a part of her life? Alternately humorous and poignant, this memoir explores how mental illness can impact those around us. It serves as an inspiring testament to a regular mom facing extraordinary challenges and her mission to combat the stigma surrounding mental health care.