Short Synopsis
In Another Kind of Madness, Stephen P. Hinshaw explores the burden of living in a family "loaded" with mental illness and debunks the stigma behind it.

Full Synopsis
Families are riddled with untold secrets. But Stephen Hinshaw never imagined that a profound secret was kept under lock and key for eighteen years within his family—that his father's mysterious absences, for months at a time, resulted from serious mental illness and involuntary hospitalizations. From the moment his father revealed the truth, during Hinshaw's first spring break from college, he knew his life would change forever.

Hinshaw calls this revelation his "psychological birth." After years of experiencing the ups and downs of his father's illness without knowing it existed, Hinshaw began to piece together the silent, often terrifying history of his father's life—in great contrast to his father's presence and love during periods of wellness. This exploration led to larger discoveries about the family saga, to Hinshaw's correctly diagnosing his father with bipolar disorder, and to his full-fledged career as a clinical and developmental psychologist and professor.

"This heartfelt memoir shares insights into the effects of mental illness on all involved." ---Booklist

"Another Kind of Madness is one of the best books I’ve read about the cost of stigma and silence in a family touched by mental illness. I was profoundly moved by Stephen Hinshaw’s story, written beautifully, from the inside-out. It’s a masterpiece." ---Glenn Close, award-winning actor and founder of Bring Change 2 Mind

"Stephen Hinshaw's memoir of growing up in a home infused by the stresses -- and secrets -- of a father's long-misdiagnosed mental illness is alternately poignant and painful, yet always on the mark." ---Judith Warner, author of We've Got Issues: Children and Parents in the Age of Medication

"Hinshaw's writing is strong and his story compelling. His is also a narrative that needs to be heard-it will have a major impact on people with mental illness in the family, as well as on eradicating the pervasive stigma that still clings to mental illness." ---Elyn R. Saks, author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness