Memoir by Mother and Son Excerpted in National Mental Health Magazine

Online, November 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Excerpts from Kathy Brandt and Max Maddox's book, Walks on the Margins: A Story of Bipolar Illness, are featured as the cover story in the Fall issue of SZ Magazine.

The book chronicles the joint and separate struggles of mother and son Brandt and Maddox, after Max was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In alternating chapters, Kathy describes the heartbreak of becoming both her son's drillmaster and his most passionate advocate, and records her frustrations with doctors, hospitals and the law as she sought good treatment for her son. Max offers a lyrical narrative of what his descent into bipolar disorder looked like from the inside. Their courage and dedication shine through in their frank and beautifully written story.

Maddox today is a successful artist, and Brandt has become a vocal advocate who writes, speaks and teaches about mental health. Brandt, a past president of her local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, received the 2012 NAMI National Award for service on behalf of those with mental illness and their families.

Brandt and Maddox hope that their book will help to destigmatize mental illness, support families facing bipolar disorder and show that, with determination, love and support, people with mental illness can and do succeed in living fulfilled lives.

SZ Magazine, published by Mental Wellness Today, reaches 180,000 mental health professionals, physicians and people living with mental illness throughout North America.

Walks on the Margins: A Story of Bipolar Illness is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit www.kathybrandtauthor.com or www.walksonthemargins.com.

Visit Kathy Brandt's Facebook page.