{"product_id":"downing-in-the-seas-of-bipolar-barbie-9780645338461","title":"Drowning in the Seas of Mental illness","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Bipolar Barbie Diaries\u003c\/strong\u003e is a series of books that document the gruelling reality of living with chronic mental illness. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDrowning in the Seas of Mental Illness\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is the first instalment of this highly anticipated series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt illustrates the struggle of living with chronic mental illness and navigating the waters of a severely inadequate mental health care system. Drowning explains the day by day journey of someone experiencing mental illness for the first time and the gruelling process of getting a diagnosis and learning to live with a disease that kills over 1 million people a year world wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBipolar Barbie\u003c\/strong\u003e gives a creative, raw and honest take on living with \u003cstrong\u003eType 2 Bipolar Disorder\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eBorderline Personality Disorder \u003c\/strong\u003e(\u003cstrong\u003eBPD\u003c\/strong\u003e), \u003cstrong\u003eGeneralised Anxiety Disorder\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ePremenstrual Dysphoric Disorder\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003ePMDD\u003c\/strong\u003e). She documents her journey in the seas of mental illness in a series of short stories signed off by each different \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBarbie\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e she feels represents the state of her mood at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book follows her personal journey from the death of her best friends mother and mentor, to the downward spiral she experiences during her second year of law school. She knows her life will never be the same again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book dives deep into the real life struggles someone with \u003cstrong\u003ecomplex mental illnesses\u003c\/strong\u003e first experiences before being correctly diagnosed. She explores the uncertainty and fear of the unknown future ahead of her in this compelling depiction of her personal struggles that many can relate to. The rollercoaster ride of \u003cstrong\u003emania\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003edepression\u003c\/strong\u003e is portrayed through diary entries that chronicle the everyday life of someone suffering from mental illness and the \u003cstrong\u003estigma\u003c\/strong\u003e that comes with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen asked why she talks about her \u003cstrong\u003emental health\u003c\/strong\u003e so openly and honest she simply responds \"It never occurred to me not to!\" She also believes that talking about the stigma surrounding mental illness is not productive. She does not want to bring attention to the fact that it is normal to shun and stigmatise sufferers of an \"\u003cstrong\u003einvisible illness\u003c\/strong\u003e\". \"I want people to know what it is really like to be me and struggle every day to find the will to live. Understanding is the only way to truly obliviate the stigma\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe questions the expectation on young adults to succeed and the neglect to consider the wellbeing of individuals in that equation. Finding the courage to reach out for help is only the first step in reaching that illusive place called recovery. What follows is a gruelling process of therapy, medication and doctors appointments. A undertaking not many understand or could possibly comprehend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe metaphorically peels back the skin of her image to reveal the demons and battles she fights within. Wrestling with her mind to gain control of her thoughts. She grapples with the possibility that she will never be normal again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to open up the conversation about mental health concerns and help others find the words to describe what they feel in order to promote effective dialogue that just might save someone's life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e*** NOTE: this is a black and white version of the book***\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Bipolar Barbie\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 064533846X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780645338461\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bipolar Barbie\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/07\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 398\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.54lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.88d","brand":"Bipolar Barbie","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43945905684735,"sku":"9780645338461","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_a9d15b21-bd1e-4038-9f9c-a317ef1d9701.jpg?v=1681510430","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/downing-in-the-seas-of-bipolar-barbie-9780645338461","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}