Alcoholism and Bi-Polar Disorder: New Book Gives Personal Look at These Illnesses

The Peaceful Warrior: Memoirs of a Damaged Mind and Soul

Many people don't know, but I received my Ph.D. in psychology a little while ago. Involved in the field, I've often been discouraged as to the standard approaches of academic and mainstream psychology - especially their treatment of so-called mental disorders. These days it is all about behavior, pills, and talk. Why am I discouraged as to this approach to mental illnesses? The new book by, and about, Patrick J. Schnerch explains why from a perspective I could never grasp.

Here is a book that tells all. It is a conglomeration of thoughts, episodes, truths, and mind games. Written by the author - both in the past and present tense as he recounts his life - the book explores the inner mind of someone who had bi-polar disorder and alcoholism.

Spanning the early memories, through the authors military career, and up to the present day, The Peaceful Warrior demonstrates exactly what is wrong with contemporary approaches to mental illness. For example, while in the military Patrick knew something was wrong: "I told my superiors that I was going to lose my mind, and they dismissed it as a joke." Did I not just hear on the radio how the military is failing it's returning soldiers from Iraq? Sounds like Patrick went through the same thing...


Later, back at "home" the author struggles with different medications and conflicting diagnosis. Revealed in detail, these differing "voices" take a narrative form throughout the book. Rarely has anyone been given this level of intimacy into the mind of a mentally ill person. What is even more interesting about this book is that the author knows this, and switches back and forth between his narrative "voices."

"Perhaps the sane person is able, in some way, to let go of the thoughts that enter their mind...." Compounding this is the fact that the author, during his most troubled times, resorted to alcohol for numbing comfort. "The drinking is the only happiness I know that works."

This book is not your standard read - the level of detail, intimacy, and sheer mentality of it make it a select read. However, the select that will want to read this book - or at least have it to reference - is large. I don't recommend reading it as a novel. Rather, put this book somewhere random, grab it on occasion when troubled or needing insight into a situation, and after a few pages life will clear up. What the author of The Peaceful Warrior has been through is more than I can fathom - I won't give away the ending, but things are on the up-and-up. However, there this book is a portal into the mind of another person. It is this portal that gives the book promise; anyone who has personally dealt with alcoholism, bi-polar disorder, or any other mental illness will move one step closer to understanding the situation they are in.

There is hope. Now if only psychology as a field could learn from this case...

Buy Secure on Amazon or from the Publisher.

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