Stuart Sutherland's account of his experience of manic depressive illness was first published in 1976, and revised in 1987. This first edition was acclaimed for the remarkable candour and perceptiveness with which Sutherland describes his illness and its frequently bizarre consequences. As a psychologist who suffered a severe mental breakdown, Sutherland is ideally placed to provide a unique first-hand insight into the world of manic depression, and the pitfalls and benefits of the many methods of treatment available. Since Breakdown was first written, there have been some advances in our understanding of the nature and treatment of mental illness. Fashions in counselling and therapy have changed, and new drugs, such as Prozac, have been developed to try to tackle manic depression. In this new edition, Sutherland brings his discussion of therapy right up-to-date, including new chapters on the use of drugs, and their effects on the brain. He describes and critically assesses the various forms of psychotherapy available today to those suffering from manic depression. This is a book unlike any other that I have read. It combines a searingly honest and terrifying detailed account of a mental breakdown with a professional's description of the reality of mental illness as it is treated in our society. It is unforgettable. This is what a breakdown is really like. Kingsley Amis, on Breakdown.