bipolar – Scott J. Pearson’s Book Review

Nowhere to Go: The Tragic Odyssey of the Homeless Mentally Ill

By Scott J. Pearson | April 14, 2025April 14, 2025 by Scott J. Pearson

In psychiatry, “serious mental illness” is substitute language for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. These two difficult diseases account for much of the homelessness that American cities see. Thus, these two diseases also account for much of where tax dollars go. The utterly tragic part, however, is that decent biomedical treatments exist for these diseases; in America, the infrastructure to treat them does not. Why? And what can be improved? This book, originally published in 1988…

Psychology

My Life Story & the American Mental Healthcare System

By Scott J. Pearson | April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by Scott J. Pearson

The course of my life changed in 2001-2003, years shortly after I graduated with my undergraduate degree from college. I had always thought I’d spend my work-life trying to help people think better about God, religion, and their lives. During this time span, however, I began to suffer from bipolar disorder, a form of mental illness more serious than, say, depression or ADHD. Nothing in my life before had prepared me to deal with this…

Biography-Memoir Family Psychology

Words with My Father: A Bipolar Journey Through Turbulent Times

By Scott J. Pearson | October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by Scott J. Pearson

Those of us with bipolar disorder understand firsthand the upheavals this mental illness can exert on a life. Before diagnosis, moodiness can lead to a lack of linearity in life. Diagnosis typically only comes after a crisis. Self-awareness can grow after diagnosis, but medications and therapy cannot fully “cure” this disease. Many stories in this genre focus on hardships and a general lack of life control – not exactly fodder for inspiration. Into this millieu,…

Biography-Memoir Indie Psychology

Oh, By the Way, I Have a Mental Illness

By Scott J. Pearson | August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 by Scott J. Pearson

Those newly diagnosed with a mental illness usually face a bleak time. While a diagnosis is infinitely better than uncontrolled mental illness, sources of hope to overcome challenges can be few and far between. Many rightly focus on learning more about their psychological condition. Reestablishing your professional and personal lives, often wrecked by disease, becomes paramount. Some build on this knowledge and transition their career towards specializing in mental illness. However, few published stories are…

Healthcare Psychology

Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for You & Your Loved Ones

By Scott J. Pearson | March 31, 2021March 31, 2021 by Scott J. Pearson

Bipolar disorder (previously termed manic-depression) is a serious mental illness and requires medication and often counseling to treat. This mood disorder increases the likelihood of suicidal outcomes. Though relatively common, many patients find coping with the illness difficult. First, the patient must come to terms with his/her own frailty. Then, the patient must find appropriate help for the ailment. Finally, she/he must educate a support structure to handle future difficulties with the illness. Fortunately, this…