/ 97 comments

Bring Me To Light

“Eleanor has given a very honest first-hand account into her recovery from mental illness.”

Disclaimer: Although this book was gifted by Trigger Publishing, this is an honest review of “Bring Me To Light.”

Bring Me To Light.

  • Author: Eleanor Segall.
  • Release Date: 05 November 2019.
  • Blurb;

“Eleanor Segall’s life was beginning. An aspiring actress and a family girl, she never though her future would be derailed by mental illness. After a spate of depressive and manic episodes, panic attacks and social anxiety, Eleanor found herself in The Priory at age 16. The diagnosis? Bipolar I disorder.

But Eleanor didn’t let it stop her for long. Now a successful blogger, journalist, and pillar of the mental health and Jewish communities, she writes about finding recovery and hope after being unwell.

Her story of picking herself back up again and surviving against the odds will resonate with many – and it can help you find that light in the darkness too. “

“Eleanor has given a very honest first-hand account into her recovery from mental illness.”

Having followed Eleanor for some time, I was pleasantly surprised when Trigger Publishing offered me a free book ahead of its release.

From chapter one I was able to find similarities between Eleanor’s childhood and that of my own. Eleanor’s childhood was not dissimilar to mine. The family structure, religious undertones, social interaction, school pressures, and mental illness is all too familiar. In fact, on several occasions, it felt as if ‘Bring Me To Light’ was written with me in mind.

“I was born into a family that made me feel safe, loved and supported. Mum and Dad were delighted to become parents, so I was spoilt by the whole family, especially since I was the first grandchild on my dad’s side and the first granddaughter on my mum’s.”

Page 17, Bring Me To Light.

Eleanor touches on many difficult subjects throughout such as religion, mental illness, divorce, death and inpatient treatment. We learn very quickly that her father has also been diagnosed with bipolar. Although suffering from frequent manic and depressive episodes throughout the nineties, he wasn’t formally diagnosed until 2000. His own narrative appears at various points throughout the book, giving us further insight into the effects of the illness.

“During those nine years in which I went undiagnosed, I experienced three manic episodes, each followed by a depressive one. Over time, each manic episode and each depressive episode got progressively worse.”

Page 23, Bring Me To Light; Eleanor’s Father.

She describes how her illness began to appear in high school with frequent symptoms of depression. This was followed by an episode of mania while on a trip to Isreal with her youth group. Concerned about her overly sexual and out of character behaviour, Eleanor’s father was called to come and take her home. After a meeting with her psychiatrist she was given prescribed tranquilsers and sleep. No change was made to her previous diagnoses of depression and anxiety.

It’s only as Eleanor starts back to school that cracks begin to appear. Finally, after experiencing delusions of sexual abuse, she’s admitted to *The Priory for treatment.

(*The Priory is a group of mental health hospitals throughout the UK. It treats different kinds of mental illness)

Unsurprisingly, Eleanor experienced a decline in her confidence and self-esteem following her admission. She describes feeling ‘like a freak’ because of her mental illness, which subsequently leads to social anxiety.

“After all that had happened to me, I had a low opinion of myself. I still partly blame myself for my illness and everything that happened to me in Israel. I was embarressed that I had wanted to kiss boys I had only just met: it just wasn’t in my character.

I didn’t know who I was. Who was this teenager with the crazy, uncontrollable brain?”

Page 54, Bring Me To Light.

As someone who has struggled with mental illnesses throughout her life, I understand these feelings all too well. It’s taxing to spend everyday hyper-aware that others are reacting differently to you due to your diagnosis. Although is difficult to deal with as an adult, as a teenager this increases tenfold. Adults may be unforgiving, but empathy among teenagers is significantly lower.

However, despite everything, Eleanor bounced back! She completed her A-Levels, and would later go onto University. Here she began to flourish in a new environment, and among new people. She continued to pursue her love of acting, got involved in Jewish Societies and expanded her faith. Eleanor even took various trips to both India and Ghana, a milestone by any stretch.

Final Words:

*Please note: The above is not the extent of this story, not by a long shot. I stopped reviewing at this point because I didn’t want to spoil the book for anyone.

Eleanor began blogging while in outpatient treatment as both an outlet for her thoughts and to provide education to others. Like many of those with mental and physical illness, Eleanor’s writing became like therapy. When the words are placed on page or screen, they’re less likely to be bouncing off the walls of our brains. It’s a perfect example of how art, of any kind, can release built-up tension.

Visit Eleanor’s award-winning blog: “Be Ur Own Light”

She has also successfully worked with mental health organisations such as Time to Change, Mind and SANE, and has even written for publications such as The Telegraph, Glamour and Happiful Magazine.

“Bring Me To Light” is a wonderful and brutally honest account of living with Bipolar Disorder. For anyone who lives with any illness, chronic or mental, should read this book. Like me, you’ll find yourself identifying with parts of Eleanor’s past.

I found it quite difficult to read some chapters as I empathised quite a bit with her emotions and thought patterns. With that being said I do love a book that makes me feel strong emotions, as many memoirs usually do.

Bring Me To Light will be available on November 5th, 2019.

97 comments

  1. Interesting. I’ll be adding this on my reading list since there’s really nothing much you can do on a lockdown.

  2. This is a good read, the story is indeed very inspring. A must read, thanks for the feature and review.

  6. Thank you for sharing that book to us! It makes me want to check the author to see more of her works. She is truly an inspiration.

  7. Oh wow, this sounds like an incredible read. I love any book that connects with my feelings and clearly depicts life with an illness like this. It’s SO important to have a good representation like this.

  8. I am still really wanting to read this book. I still have it marked!! Thanks for sharing.

  9. I would love to read this, but I am sure it will spark many emotions of my own. Thank you for reviewing it because I would never have know about it if you didn’t. All my best!

  10. books seems to be very amazing…. i just love to read books and now much curious to read it once…..

  11. Such an important topic to talk about and how awesome that she is open and honest with her experience. As someone who worked as a therapist for 6 years, I know that it takes a lot to be vulnerable about mental illness, but it is so important because it can help to impact so many other people’s lives for the better. Thanks for sharing it, I will have to check it out!

  12. I would love to read this book because it’s reading from that perspective of someone that helps bipolar issues

  13. It looks like a book that right now would be an inspiring reading and one to get lost in. I like it.

  14. Seems like an interesting book! I am going to have to take a closer look and then find the time to actually sit down and read!!! I am not one to sit down very much, lol!

  15. The book is a great find! I’ll definitely read it soon!

    xoxo
    Lovely

    http://mynameislovely.com

  16. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I really, really recommend this book for you. It’ll help you understand things a little better. It helped me understand the condition after having known several people to have it throughout my life.
    Sending much love. xx

  17. You are lucky to get the book straight from the publisher! She has an amazing story. This is a source of inspiration for strength and resilience.

  18. A book that I definitely think I need to add to my to read list. At this rate I’m NEVER going to get through it all. Thanks friend!

  19. I would love to check this out. My father was diagnosed with bipolar when I was in middle school. It is hard when people see the mental illness and not the person. Even my own siblings would refuse to see him when he’d have an episode and end up in the hospital. Every five yearsish he’d have these pretty intense episodes. One time preaching about the end of days in another country, one time he disappeared for days, traveled on foot 50+miles, one time he left a letter at my place of employment detailing how the world was ending and we would all be ok….of course it was the day I wasn’t working. His episodes always involve religion, end of days, etc. Yet after the fact he has little recollection and rarely discusses these things. It is hard for people on the outside to get it. Anyways, I’m unloading a lot here…. on top of that much family and personal history with anxiety, depression, OCD, substance abuse. I’m definitely adding this book to my list. Thanks for sharing!

  23. This sounds like a worthwhile read. It’s so important to have more understanding of mental diseases/disorders.

  25. This is interesting. Maybe during the holidays when I am at rest I have the time to pick up this book and soak in it.

  29. There is nothing more I appreciate than an honest review, especially from someone who can relate to the story. Will be looking into this for sure 🙂

  30. What a good read. Thanks for the detailed review, it really pushed my interest. I tend to read a lot when I travel.

  31. It’s a very detailed review of this book. I think people should read more about mental illness.

  33. Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your insight. A lot of people are in denial about their mental health, like you said, which means they lean more heavily into bashing those of us who have actually sought help. Or at least in my experience.

  46. Although not the same diagnoses, mine is similar. Like you mentioned, it was right up my street and I found myself connecting with the book moreso because of that.

  52. What an honest review. Gonna check this book now. It’s right in time. Because I am looking for a new set of books to read. Thanks!

  57. Thank you so so much for the awesome and honest review, I love it. I will check the book for sure.

  58. Thank you for this review. I was looking for something worth reading. I am really stressed right now because of my work and I feel it will be a good read for me. 🙂

  62. Oh you’ve certainly captured my interest, this might have to go on my Christmas list x x

  63. I believe that considering the period I am going through this is the reading I need.

  64. This sounds like a great read!! I’ll have to add it to my list to check out at the library!

  65. I’ve been looking for a new book to add to my winter reading list. This might be the one. Thanks!

  66. This is going on my reading this for sure! As someone that lives with similar diagnosis, this could be right up my alley.

  67. Seems to be an interesting book. I can already tell it’s a page turner. Definitely next on my list.

  68. Thank you for your review of this book. Mental illness is a topic that needs to be discussed and not have a stigma attached to it. Thanks for sharing!

  69. Ooh I’m always looking to add to my reading list! Thank you for this review. Sounds very interesting.

  71. I will have to check out this book. I wonder if its at the library. Even if its not it sounds like it’s well worth a read.

  72. Oh the book sounds really interesting… I think that it might be such a good read. I love when people suggest new topics to read about. – Paolo

  75. Sounds like a really nice book. Will look for this and hopefully have the time to read it.

  76. Hi everyone..Im the author and just want to.say thank you so much Nyx for your kind words and recommendations. I hope it helps many of you…thats why I wrote down my story. Please do read with care too. Thanks again lots of love Eleanor

  77. Sounds an interesting read. I love reading books that give an insight into someone else’s life but sometimes I feel as though I am prying into their private thoughts

  78. Sounds like an amazing story about strong young woman. I like that kind of books so I will add it to my list

  79. This sounds like such an interesting read. I think I would enjoy this book and her story is inspiring.

  80. The book sounds incredible. I work with patients suffering from mental illness and I know that tge struggle is real. The tough part is that almost everyone has some degree of MI but go undiagnosed. But they call us crazy. Thanks for sharing.

  83. Thank you so much for reading the review. I certainly urge you to read it when it’s released. Eleanor was so brave bearing her soul to us like this.

  84. I enjoyed it so much I read it twice (although, once I was taking notes for the review). It’s certainly worth a read upon it’s release date.

  85. You’ll find this very relatable then. My family is the same in regards to depression etc so it’s certainly being passed on to them. Thank you so much for reading the review 🙂

  86. The book is certainly worth a read. I’m not ashamed to admit I may have had a wee cry at one point because it’s just very relatable for me, despite the fact I’ve never suffered from Bipolar. Mental illness and the treatment of it is just a very relateable experience across the board.

  87. It’s certainly worthy of bookcase status. I’m passing it on to friends and family because I loved it so much. It was just so relatable to me.

  88. It is. I have family members suffering the same thing, and have had friends also suffering. It can be so hard to watch when things go wrong.

  89. It’s a truly excellent book. I got through it in just over a day, and then read it again just for the review. Definitely worth the second reading.

  90. How inspirational to see someone who had such a difficult life and used it to help others with what she learned. Great review!

  91. My dad and brother had manic depression. This is a tough disease to watch someone suffer with.

  92. This sounds like such a fascinating read. I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety my whole life so I can definitely relate.

  93. Very uplifting story leave me with teary eyed while reading it. Experiencing depression is not easy I hope we all can find peace and harmony in our life no matter what situation we are in.

  94. Thank you for sharing this I am for sure going to read Be your own light! I come from a family with anxiety, depression, substance abuse and manic bipolar so mental health is always on my mind.

  95. I would love to check this one out, seems very interesting!!! I am almost done with the book i am reading now.

  96. Wow this sounds like an amazing book and story. I’m going to add it to my Goodreads. Thanks for the honest review!

  97. I never get tired of knowing new books, maybe I never thought of them, and then once I read they make me so happy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recommended
It's important to remember that recovery is a process full…
Cresta Posts Box by CP

Privacy Policy