Melody Moezzi is many things. She is an activist, lawyer, author, speaker, and an Iranian American. Unfortunately, it is her bipolar disorder that has largely defined her life.
Haldol and Hyacinths is Melody’s story about her struggle with her bipolar disorder, which for many years went undiagnosed. She tells about her bouts with extreme depression, her suicide attempts, her mania, the largely terrible mental hospitals she has been in, and then finally getting the help she needed to live as normal of a life as possible. Melody also shares about her experiences as an Iranian American–from the prejudice she has faced, to her activist work to help her people back in Iran. She also shares much about her faith and her culture.
But more than anything this book is about her courage, her strength, and her incredible support group who refused to give up on her during her struggles. Her amazing and loyal husband Matthew, her loving and supportive family, and her friends. This book shows how important a good support group is for anyone, but especially for those with mental health issues.
Haldol and Hyacinths also gives hope to those suffering from bipolar disorder, and those who love someone who has it. For me, it was also interesting to get insight into someone of Iranian descent–their culture, the discrimination and faith.
I highly recommend reading Haldol and Hyacinths–it is interesting, enlightening, encouraging, and even at times funny.