All the Things We Never Knew

Chasing the Chaos of Mental Illness

By: Sheila Hamilton

Narrated by: Sheila Hamilton

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Even as a reporter, Sheila Hamilton missed the signs as her husband David's mental illness unfolded before her. By the time she had pieced together the puzzle, it was too late. Her once brilliant, intense, and hilarious partner was dead within six weeks of a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, leaving his nine-year-old daughter and wife without so much as a note to explain his actions, a plan to help them recover from their profound grief, or a solution for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that they would inherit from him.

All the Things We Never Knew takes listeners from David and Sheila's romance through the last three months of their life together and into the year after his death. It details their unsettling descent from ordinary life into the world of mental illness and examines the fragile line between reality and madness. Now, a decade after David's death, Sheila and her daughter, Sophie, have learned the power of choosing life over retreat, let themselves love and trust again, and understand the importance of forgiveness. Their story will resonate with all those who have loved someone suffering from bipolar disease and mental illness.

©2015 Sheila Hamilton (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Such a great story

Loved it, really helped me! my husband was a builder and also committed suicide. I really needed to hear this story!

Insightful

This was a good read. This highlights the problems facing society today and the better treatment of mental illness

Raw Real Heart felt and Informative

Beautifully written-This book is the real deal. A deep emotional depiction of how to cope with mental illness when it shows itself in a loved one. The thing that made this book resonate for me was the authors ability to express her feelings about everyone involved. This is an informative book for sure, but for me it is the ultimate love story. Love from every angle. I adored this read.

Great listen

This was a very eye-opening book into family issues and mental illness. Must read if you like hearing peoples journey thru hard times and dealing with life with love and grace

Important Topic. Poignant memoire.

Well written, honest but respectful memoire that beautifully honors her late husband while still accomplishing the important tasks of bring awareness, understanding around mental illness. I pray this is just a piece of the larger conversation that needs to continue to happen.

Definitely worth the read

This book is well-researched, well-written, and deeply emotional. I’m shocked at some of the horrible things listeners have said about the author. She went through so much and still wrote with deep empathy and compassion. I will be recommending this book to pretty much everyone.

First hand account from a partner

I liked that the book was narrated by the author. It helped me feel her emotion throughout the story. I liked the information included from NAMI. The point of view of how mental illness impacts family members is so often overlooked. Thank you for telling all sides of this story. Recommend for anyone who has a partner or family member with bipolar disorder or any mental illness. I chose this book as part of BOOKIES DIVERSEATHON yearly book thin to encourage readers to read books outside their typical genre. So glad I did.

wealth of information

A synopsis of the progression of a case of mental illness. This book contains wonderful information that everybody should know

Informative and so very heart wrenching

I’ve read many books on mental health. This one hit me like no other. The combination of research and information with personal story was so well written. My son has bi polar and after reading this, it is the first time I truly understand his illness. I appreciate that the author took the time to help educate through her story. I listened to it on audible but also just purchased a hard copy. Thank you Sheila Hamilton.

Wonderful and heart breaking but educational

Well written. Provided both education and story. Society needs more books like this to help with the stigma around mental illness.