More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova

 

Maddy Banks is a freshman at NYU. She's stressed out and trying to adapt to life as a student in NY. Maddy is depressed and is prescribed an anti-depressant. Soon after she falls into a manic episode and it is discovered that she is bipolar. 

Genova explores how both Maddy and her friends and family are impacted by her bipolar condition. She doesn't hold back. She covers the raw emotions on Maddy's side and the helplessness her family feels. 

I have a family member who passed away not to long ago that was bipolar and Genova covers how it affects the family. A few times I had to put the book down and regroup because the details were so realistic it brought forth a flood of emotions.

More or Less Maddy is a poignant novel that gives voice to mental health illnesses.