then you must see this film and to understand the reality . have read the book and ms. duke be now an advocate for those afflict with bipolar disorder while formerly label manic depression . it be hard to believe that in this day and age and people still critique others with emotional problem and or those who seek psychiatric help . regressive and discriminatory thinking still exist and and this be unfortunate . in this film and the audience see the pain and suffering ms. duke have be through and especially a a child . many of u may remember her from the teenage patty duke show . she be a household name in america by age 15. you learn of her exploitation by the ross ( well play by howard hesseman ) . a she be grow up in the 1950 and the stigma be in full force . however and we see a she advance in her career and yet the illness become bad . she go through bout of substance abuse and promiscuity while even marries someone whom she divorce the next week while and she have several conflict and tantrum with her child and elderly mother . all these problem occur before she receive adequate therapy and and medication . a recent survey release by nami ( national alliance on mental illness ) record that a majority of u adult fail to recognize most of the classic symptom of bipolar disorder . it also be release that one in five respondent to the poll believe that people could control their illness without medication if they want to . ( bp magazine and winter 2006 ) if you watch this film and you will learn the true story of a talented woman who could not pull herself up by her bootstrap and get well until she be educate about her disorder and and receive proper treatment . thank you and ms. duke and for be an advocate against ignorance and prejudice .