Mt. Lebanon native publishes book on bipolar disorder

A Jewish Mt. Lebanon native, who goes by the pen name Brett Stevens, has published a new book about bipolar disorder: “Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind.”

Stevens is a professional poker player who maintains a blog on the subject, as well as a real estate agent.

His book tracks the discovery of his mania through events, both public and private, and his burgeoning awareness that his decisions were not arrived at in sound mind, and that something had to change.

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“This story started out as a therapeutic exercise to write a narrative of my life, integrating my childhood memories with the visceral accounts of recurrent major psychiatric illness in adulthood,” Stevens said in a prepared statement. “Along the way, I discovered that I have hypermnesia: the ability to remember personal life events with detailed accuracy. As a result, this first-person account details the evolution of psychosis and its impact on my behavior.”

Through determination, and with the help of professionals and family, Stevens is now better able to manage his mental health.

“My hope is that my perspective sheds light on the progression of bipolar disorder and will enhance someone’s ability to learn and empathize with those affected by the illness,” Stevens said.

“Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind” published by New York City-based Page Publishing, is available at bookstores and online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble. PJC

— Toby Tabachnick