Sullivan County native finishes book about her struggle with bi-polar disorder

After 12 years, Heather D. Brown's "Big Crowd at the Crazy House" is finally hot off the press.

She explained, "I wrote it in first person experience over a 12-year period of which I've went on and off medications."

After winning her battle with manic depression, Brown now encourages others in the same shoes to seek help.

It was after her second suicide attempt that she finally saw the light.

"The first thing I saw (after the second suicide attempt) while laying in the hospital bed was 9-11," she explained.

And that completely changed everything.

"That's what inspired me to get on medicine. ... Right after that I started writing poetry to help me ... I've always known I would write a book to help other people," Brown explained.

Writing also gave her hope.

"Writing gave me a reason, a goal. Sometimes you have to have something to look forward to when you get up in the morning. Knowing this book would be on the shelf -- just that thought gave me something to hope for. I always knew I would be an author," Brown said.

"Big Crowd at the Crazy House" also chronicles her ups and downs with bipolar meds and their side effects.

"First it was taking it (medicine) and realizing I had to take it," she said.

Those diagnosed with manic depression suffer from extreme highs and lows, she noted.

"Mine were mostly highs. I loved the excitement ... but, (one) medicine made me gain a lot of weight. I finally stopped taking it," Brown explained. "I'd rather be crazy than fat."

Now, she's found the right medicine combination and is back to a healthy weight.

But she understands why it's so hard.

"A lot of people just give up ... but, you must get help," she explained.

Brown will conduct a book signing at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Dusty Collectibles in Worthington. Cost of a book is $15.95.

"Big Crowd at the Crazy House" is 261 pages and includes a bonus poetry section.

"Several people have picked it up and read it in one night. It's a quick read," she added.

You can also purchase the book on-line at www.bigcrowdatthecrazyhouse.com or by mail.

Cost of the book by mail is $15.95 plus $2.50 shipping and handling. Mail check or money order to Heather D. Brown, P.O. Box 11327, Terre Haute, Ind., 47801.