Let Me Out: A Madhouse Diary

By: Amy Bingaman

Narrated by: Sarah Highlander

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

“In April of 2004, the long downward spiraling of Amy Bingaman's mental illness could no longer be hidden or ignored much less written off as a side-product of a colorful and quirky character. With no family able to help and no resources, she was involuntarily locked up in the draconian, archaic labyrinth that is the Wyoming Mental Health System. Armed with only a pocket dictionary and any paper she could find to write on, Amy wrote not only as a journal but at times as her only coping mechanism to salvage what was left of a breaking mind in a love/hate relationship with her alter-ego who she'd come to call 'lucille'. Over the course of her first 33 days, she kept copious notes of her time there, detailing treatment (or mistreatment) befitting a prisoner rather than the sufferer of a psychological disorder. These diaries roller-coaster between terrifying and hilarious, chronicling from her first morning waking up confused in a disheveled ball gown, living at the mercy of staff who range from inept to cruel and with fellow patients who's light, hope and brilliance are twisted with the daily wrestling of their own debilitating psychotic breaks from reality. What results is an unedited, in-the-moment take-down of what consists of mental health care in this country, as lived from the inside by its weakest links, those it is intended to protect. And for all the dark humor and vivid humanity, she hopes you will be left with the knowledge that since that time, little or nothing in the system has changed.” - Doug Stanhope

©2017 Amy Bingaman (P)2018 Amy Bingaman

Great Book

Having spent my fair share of time in the nut house, this book nails the insanity that is our mental health system. Great job Bingo!!!!

bingo kills it

Amy bingo bingbong buttercheeks bingaman wrote one helluva book for a potato head! doug is one lucky almost corpse!

Compelling

Detailing the author's horrifying treatment in the US mental healthcare system, this audio book does an amazing job of conveying the fear and desperation of what such an experience must be like to the listener. The book is gripping.

I didn’t like it.

As someone who has spent time in 3 mental facilities I found her descriptions to be accurate. I found the narrative to be too choppy to understand. I have Bipolar II so I know what it’s like. If I wanted to hear a jumble of thoughts I would just listen to my head. I didn’t care for the musical interludes either. Sorry Amy, it’s nothing personal.

WOW

Amy you are amazing for capturing a dark side of the way the mentally ill are treated.

Wow.

the unconsensual story of her involuntary modern one flew over the cuckoo's nest. an enlightening look into our unfortunate reality and powerful call to action. dangerous enough ideas to be required reading. vulnerable and honest.

Absolutely amazing

Every bit of this is so good. The story, writing, insight, and narration are all very original and fantastic.

Beautiful and painful

As soon as I finished this audio book I went back to the beginning and listened again. I didnt want to miss anything! Amy Bingaman is a unique soul who shows us into a world many of us will be lucky enough to never see, but that still others are unlucky enough to have to experience. Listening to this book you hear echoes of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest through the decades declaiming just how little things have progressed in the mental health system. I recommend everyone listen to this book to hear her powerful experience and to hear her heartfelt and joyous-in-the-face-of-all-that-kills-joy music. Thank you Amy!!

Bingo

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Recommended for fans of Doug and Bingo,people looking to enter the field of mental health and anyone curious about mental illness.

Amazing.

Amy Bingaman is a warrior. This writing is the truest thing I’ve ever read. I hope she sheds more light onto life. Amazing person.

Endearing as fuck

I really loved this. Honest, in real time and marvellously hat stand and creative. There is a a very endearing and earnest charm that glows from the writer. This is a diary . So if you’re after Terry Pratchet, don’t bother: if you’re after a glimpse into a wonderfully creative and very ill woman’s scary incarceration, with frequent lapses into madness , then download and chocks away....