Although I didn't have a particularly enjoyable experience while reading this book,

the story of a mother grappling with her 18-year-old daughter who is suffering from mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, is indeed an important one to read.

It presents a harrowing account of mental illness and how it often coincides with drug abuse.

Moreover, it sheds light on the shortcomings of our society in providing assistance to these individuals and their families.

Supporting a family member with a mental illness requires an enormous amount of strength and determination.

Some people are even forced to give up their support for the sake of their own personal survival.

The book makes it clear that there are no easy solutions when it comes to dealing with mental illness.

A sad story unfolds about a girl named Trina, who is bipolar. This mental disorder brings numerous challenges for both Keri and Trina. The system, unfortunately, has been of little assistance in Trina's recovery process. Her path to getting better is constantly up and down, filled with uncertainties. For those who have to witness their loved ones grappling with a mental disorder, it can be an all-consuming experience. I truly empathize with you. It is heart-wrenching to see someone you care about struggle so much. The unpredictability of Trina's condition makes it difficult for everyone around her. Keri tries her best to support Trina, but it is not easy. The lack of effective support from the system only adds to their difficulties. We need to do better to help those like Trina on their road to recovery.

72 Hour Hold by the late Bebe Moore Campbell is an extremely riveting tale.

It focuses on a single mother, Keri, who is constantly struggling to obtain resources for her adult daughter, Trina, who suffers from bipolar disorder.

Fearing for her own life, Keri is willing to risk everything to intervene in Trina's self-destructive decline, even if it means breaking the law.

This powerful story delves into an issue that countless American families have been facing for decades.

After exhausting every available resource, Keri searches for ways to force her daughter to take her medications and receive treatment beyond California's involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold for the mentally ill.

Her unwavering determination to save her daughter from herself is both inspiring and heartbreaking.

She often reflects on the progression of her daughter's illness and the fruitless attempts to seek help.

Memories of her beautiful daughter's bizarre behavior at a very young age offer only a slight hint of the turmoil churning in Trina's mind as the once-loving child has become someone Keri now fears.

Limited by California's legal restrictions, Keri becomes desperate.

The measures she takes not only provide insight into the struggles that parents of adult children with mental illnesses endure but also exemplify the old adage, "A parent's job is never done!"

Bebe Moore Campbell does an outstanding job with this story, which must have been极其 difficult for her as she knows all too well about the subject due to her own daughter's battles with the disorder.

Once a prominent actress, Campbell's daughter, Mia Campbell, has become almost unrecognizable in both appearance and character due to the many factors that often affect adults with bipolar disorder.

While reading 72 Hour Hold, it's hard not to wonder how much of the story the author actually experienced.

This book raises awareness about an illness that so many people suffer from.

I highly recommend 72 Hour Hold to anyone who enjoys reading realistic fiction with depth and meaning.

This story is truly insightful and powerful!

An Insider Look at Mental Illness

It is truly a scary and sad reality to know that so many people have to go through the challenges of mental illness. The human mind is a complex and delicate thing, and when it is affected by mental illness, the consequences can be profound and far-reaching. What makes it even more concerning is that our system is flawed in dealing with this issue. There are often gaps in treatment, a lack of understanding and awareness, and insufficient resources available. This means that many individuals suffering from mental illness do not receive the support and care they need in a timely manner. We need to take a closer look at our system and make the necessary changes to ensure that those with mental illness are given the help and opportunities they deserve to recover and lead fulfilling lives.

In the novel "72 Hour Hold" by Bebe Moore Campbell, we are introduced to Keri, an independent African American woman. She is facing the challenging task of dealing with her daughter Trina's bipolar disorder while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives. Campbell beautifully portrays Keri as a loving and dedicated mother who is willing to do whatever it takes to help Trina control her manic behavior. Keri never loses hope,坚信 that one day her daughter will recover.

The story follows Keri and Trina on a long and tumultuous journey. As the plot progresses, Trina's unpredictable mood swings put Keri's love and belief to the test. The other characters in the story also look to Keri for comfort and assistance with their own problems. However, throughout it all, Keri seems to be able to help everyone else but her daughter.

The perspective of the story is told from Keri's eyes, allowing us to experience the pain and frustration she feels as the target of Trina's psychosis-fueled rage. Keri runs a successful resale designer shop in LA, but her life is constantly disrupted by Trina's wild, paranoid, and violent behavior. Her ex-husband, Clyde, refuses to believe the diagnosis, leaving Keri to deal with Trina's disorder alone.

Trina's condition worsens as the story develops. She starts using drugs, refuses to take her meds, and has violent episodes where she becomes verbally and physically abusive towards Keri. She even claims that Keri kidnapped her and killed her real mother. Trina is constantly in and out of the mental ward, where they can only hold her for seventy-two hours. Keri begs and pleads for them to extend her daughter's stay, but her requests are repeatedly denied.

When Trina turns eighteen, she is able to sign herself out of the mental ward and takes advantage of this to run away. Although she is eventually found, this becomes a pattern of behavior, and Keri realizes that the current system is unable to help her daughter. She learns about an underground group of psychiatrists and psychologists who run an illegal operation that believes in recovery. Despite the high cost of $12,000 a month, Keri decides to proceed with the program.

At first, it seems like the intervention is working. Trina shows small signs of reaching out to Keri, such as glancing at her without hostility and brushing up against her. However, once again, Trina runs away, and they feel like they are back to square one. But things start to change after this incident. Clyde realizes that his daughter needs help and becomes another support system for her. They find a facility where they can leave her for an extended period of time.

Trina displays a new demeanor when she gets out of the facility. She isn't cured, but her battle with her demons is contained. Keri and Trina begin having brief outings together, and for the first time, everyone is able to take a breather. Campbell's novel highlights the strength of love and how much it can endure. It also shows that people with mental disorders aren't the only ones affected by the illness, but the people around them as well.

In conclusion, "72 Hour Hold" is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter. Campbell does an excellent job of showing the challenges that love faces and how it can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. The novel teaches us to never give up on our loved ones and to believe in the power of love, no matter what.

This is a truly great novel that delves into the profound and complex relationship between a mother and her adult daughter who is suffering from mental illness.

It vividly explores the unfathomable depths of a mother's love, showing just how far a mother is willing to go to protect and save her child.

The author has done an excellent job of portraying the emotions, struggles, and sacrifices of the mother, making the reader truly empathize with her character.

It is a touching and thought-provoking story that leaves a lasting impression. I am extremely impressed with this novel and hope to read more works by this talented author in the future.

Her ability to bring such a sensitive and important topic to life through her writing is truly remarkable.

I had to read this for school.

I'm a counseling masters student, and I think I would have probably enjoyed it more if I had picked it up on my own.

I tend to like books about mental health struggles and such.

However, this one felt like a drag.

Mainly because reading for school takes the fun out of things.

When it's assigned, it becomes more of a chore than a pleasure.

I still tried to get something out of it, but it was a struggle.

I found myself losing focus and having to reread passages multiple times.

Maybe if I had read it in a different context, I would have had a different experience.

But as it stands, it wasn't my favorite reading assignment.

Oh well, there's always the next book to look forward to.

Finished this late last night and couldn't process it all to review, so had to do it at work (shameful LOL). Ah well, here goes.

After reflecting on my morning commute and daily drop off discourse with my hubby about the book (he is oh so interested in what I read but can't be bothered with actually reading), I broke the book all the way down. I talked about what I liked, hated, and learned. While I should definitely rate this a four star as I truly enjoyed the book, the writing, the character of Keri, and the insight into the mentally ill. Plus, the author Bebe Moore Campbell is amazing and her book Your Blues Aint Like Mine is one of my favorites. However, I had to knock a star off for the ending.

Actually, the times when she tried to control Trina ended up being the parts I could do without LOL. I know, but I did learn a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if I actually have a lot of bipolar friends and maybe even a trace myself. But for that, it was super interesting. Maybe a 3.5, but anyways, into the story.

Okay, so this is the tale of divorced single mom Keri. She has an ex-boyfriend, her own business, and dreams of having everything back to normal. When her smart, beautiful teenage daughter, who just got accepted to Brown University, is recently diagnosed with bipolar manic depressive disorder. Tragically, she falls victim to violent and uncontrollable mood shifts and into periods of mania and paranoia that her mother cannot control or predict. With fights, hits, verbal abuse.

Her daughter not taking her medicine and getting more and more dangerous, most commonly the only way to stop her is to have the police get involved to place her on a mandatory 72-hour hold. Which is where the title comes from. Dealing with the helplessness and confusion of a mother cast into the role of having a daughter worth bragging about to having one people pity and misunderstand is heartbreaking and very well written.

Keri's plight is dramatic and touching instead of whiny and repetitive. So I definitely applaud this book for not going overly melodramatic cheesy and showing a real strong mother. As I said, I was not the biggest fan of the ending. As Keri, desperate to have Trina picked up by the police and placed on 72-hour hold so she can go for permanent guardianship over the eighteen-year-old, she tries to incite Trina's madness by basically setting her up with alcohol, verbal triggers, and all the freedom to allow her to reach her breaking point and mess up enough to warrant police involvement and a 72-hour hold.

The book delves into what can happen if mental illness is not treated as well as possible treatment options, psychiatric facilities, and a radical kidnapping scheme to try and help sick Trina. And parallels her journey with that of a slave escaping the plantation with underground railroad references. Overall, this book was enjoyable and I liked it and appreciated it way more than I thought I would. RIP Bebe Moore Campbell, you were such a genius with words and a great advocate for African American literature and mental health awareness. As another great plot in this book is the way African Americans don't recognize and seek treatment for issues that affect our community like sexuality and mental illness. Even though I abhorred the cold dismissive treatment of Keri's ex-husband and Trina's father, I could understand his reluctance to admit and accept reality. I could go on and on but just know this book was more than you think it is and a read that I recommend for everyone if just for another look at someone you think may be "crazy", here is help understanding.

A Look Inside

The author provides a truly vivid and detailed portrayal of what it is like to handle a loved one with a mental illness. From the very beginning, the description is so intense that it makes the reader feel as if they are right there in the midst of the situation. However, towards the middle of the account, it seems to slow down a bit and drag. But despite this minor hiccup, the story does an excellent job of highlighting the significant flaws within the system when it comes to supervising a mentally ill individual. It makes one stop and think about how much more needs to be done to improve the support and care provided to those with mental health issues. The author's ability to bring attention to this important topic through their narrative is both powerful and thought-provoking.

This book truly provides a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by those suffering from bipolar disorder.

However, I was not overly impressed with Campbell's decision to incorporate the issue of race into this narrative. While it is essential to recognize the significant difficulties that a single African-American woman encounters when caring for a daughter with bipolar disorder, the emphasis on race within the plot sometimes detracts from the core problems at hand.

The bottom line is that in contemporary society, individuals with mental illnesses are not receiving the treatment and support they require. The experiences that families endure when dealing with hospitals that handle mental disorders are simply absurd. Our system is in desperate need of improvement! This book effectively illustrates these issues in a very realistic and relatable manner.

It serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by those living with mental illness and the urgent need for a more compassionate and efficient healthcare system.

When this book was selected by my book club in 2010, I decided to skip the meeting. My personal preference leans more towards happier or fantastical subjects. However, later on, after joining Audible, I continuously saw the title of this book popping up during my browsing.

I'm truly not certain whether this book would have managed to hold my interest if I had simply read it. The narrator, on the other hand, didn't just read the words; she truly performed her role. Although her accents were rather awful, the depth and complexity of the main character more than made up for that shortcoming. In fact, I found myself becoming quite sad whenever I had to take my earbuds off each day.

It was as if I was being torn away from the world that the narrator had created and the story that was unfolding. This unexpected emotional connection made me realize that sometimes, even a book that might not seem initially appealing can have a profound impact when presented in the right way.

I found this book to be an extremely accurate depiction of a mother's arduous struggle to obtain appropriate treatment for her barely adult daughter.

Having dedicated 25 years to the field of psychiatry and now retired, I have treated numerous patients whose families have traversed similar paths.

In every instance, regardless of how things ultimately conclude, it is the patients themselves, along with their families and friends who manage to remain steadfastly by their sides, who emerge as the true heroes and heroines of this journey.

Indeed, there are segments of this journey that are undeniably tedious, boring, and repetitive. This, too, is an accurate reflection of real life.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those individuals who are seeking a profound understanding of the struggles endured by the mentally ill and their families.

Additionally, it delves into both the strengths and the many weaknesses of the mental health care system in the United States.

Readers should be cognizant that mental health related laws can vary significantly from state to state.