Manic!

"Manic" is the second book in Dr. Mark Totten's series on violence and mental health in adolescence. Tom, a 16 year-old in grade 11, struggles with recurring episodes of mania. He has no insight into his illness despite the fact that other students, his teachers and his running coach constantly ask him if he is okay and point out his symptoms. Tom lives in Ottawa with an alcoholic mother who is a hoarder and on welfare. Tom was abandoned by his father when he was a baby.

Poverty is a constant challenge. Tom is always pestering his mother for money for groceries, and she usually gives him 30$ for milk, bologna, and Kraft Dinner. She spends most of her monthly cheque at the bar and on cases of beer. Even though Tom does not have a license, she forces him to drive across the bridge to Hull to get beer. She is banned from beer stores because she got violent and regularly stole from them.

When manic, Tom sees himself as God or Jesus. He thinks that he is on a superior plane compared to everyone else. Despite little to no sleep every night, he has crazy energy and his brain races madly in circles. When he starts falling asleep in class, he uses energy drinks to stay awake. He loves the buzz and becomes dependent on them.

Tom's best friend Chrissy, age 17, is anorexic and lives with her parents in a rich neighbourhood. They are very supportive of Tom, but get on the case of Chrissy because she makes herself vomit after every meal. Tom regularly goes over and is confronted with his own lack of resources when he sees how rich they are. And, they don't drink.

Tom's symptoms of mania worsen over the course of a few months. He is addicted to exercise and believes he will win the Mr. Universe competition in California next year. He gets up every morning at 4:00 a.m. to lift weights and go on long runs. Despite having multiple injuries caused by his hyper-exercising, he cannot stop. He only feels good if he hurts himself. He constantly poses in front of any mirror he can find, lifting up his shirt to expose his six-pack and flexing his shoulders and biceps. Despite being ripped, he has serious questions about his own masculinity. His muscles cover up his fragile self esteem.

In school, Tom constantly interrupts teachers when they are talking. His speech is very fast and he is unable to sit still, constantly pacing and scratching. Things culminate on the winter camping trip. Tom cajoles Chrissy to cross a river. The water is fast moving and the ice is unstable. Tom forces her to cross despite her worries that they will drown. She falls through the ice and they are rescued by their teacher and the other students. Tom is alienated from his peers when they confront him on his dangerous actions. He isolates himself for the rest of the trip.

Tom stops going to school and his coach, social worker, and Chrissy make an unannounced visit. Tom's mother is drunk. She thinks Tom's coach is sexy and asks him if he is interested in her. Tom is embarrassed. There is no heat and it is early November. The house is a disaster, with huge piles of dirty laundry, magazines, newspapers, and empty two-four cases of beer. The social worker helps Tom get connected with services that can stabilize his health. After seeing her for one month, he gets insight into his condition. He finally gets a family Doctor who prescribes him a mood stabilizer. She also gets Tom to keep a daily journal to record his sleep patterns and his low and high moods. At the end of the book, Tom reunites with his father. He stays there for one month and things are more stable there compared to his Mom's place. But, Tom decides to move back home because his mother needs to be taken care of.

In the end, Tom's character demonstrates tremendous growth and strength. The medication is starting to work and he has learned how to handle his mother. He also starts going to a youth mental health support group.