Broken Open & A Better Life with Craig Hamilton; Living with Bipolar Disorder and Beyond

Join the journey on Help, Hope & Healing, WWLZ820am, Saturday, May 28th, 12-1pm EST.  My guest will be Craig Hamilton, author of an amazing memoir, Broken Open.  This is a heart wrenching & heartwarming account of Craig’s personal experience with Bipolar Disorder. Craig will also be introducing us to his follow-up book, A Better Life.  For any of you dealing with Bipolar Disorder in your life I recommend you do not miss this show!  Craig will certainly give you hope and help you heal, first hand.  As always, calls are welcome during the show at 607-732-4820 or 1-866-732-4820. Wishing you all a day of health and happiness!

Broken Open
Front Cover
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Broken Open
Back Cover
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Three days until the Olympics opening ceremony. My bag is packed and we’re walking together as a family from car park to ticket gate. Something is not quite right. I’m riding a tsunami-size mania and set to wipe out in awesome and truly awful style. Now, if this tale is not weird enough already, then try this: in my mind I have become Jesus Christ reincarnate. I am experiencing a high I’d imagine you attain only on the strongest drugs.’

Read more extracts from Broken Open….

In a remarkable memoir ABC broadcaster Craig Hamilton tells what it’s like to go mad in public and survive to tell the tale. Hamilton explores how his breakdown and diagnosis of bipolar disorder affected his family, work colleagues and friends. In doing so he lifts the covers on the taboo subject of depression and shows how he stared down his demons to resurrect his life and career.

As a former top sportsman, farmer’s son and coal miner who reinvented himself to establish a successful career with the ABC, Craig believed he was immune to a calamity such as mental illness. From his initial shocking breakdown to his eventual recovery, Craig retraces his steps and highlights the warning signs that might have told him he was in serious trouble.

Broken Open is a gripping read about one man’s journey back from the brink of hell. But it is much more than that. It’s also a personal plea for society to shake off the stigma surrounding people with depression and to bring the subject out into the clear light of day.

“I know Craig went through his own anguish with mental illness and if it can affect him it can affect anybody. I hold him in high esteem as I believe him to be very credible and someone who has a real passion for what he does, particularly calling rugby league on ABC Radio.

Like many Australians today, Craig changed his life so he could manage his illness. Through medication and a healthy lifestyle of yoga, meditation and laughter he is now living a healthy life. His story is a must-read. His triumph is truly remarkable and will inspire anyone lucky enough to read it.

Sadly many people suffering mental illness do not have the strength or support to change their lives. Like Craig I have watched players and have friends and family who have suffered from mental illness. I know through these experiences that mental illness exists and is not in someone’s imagination as we are often told.

By telling his story I know Craig will help others who have suffered, but more importantly he makes us all much more aware of the presence of mental illness, and in particular depression and bipolar disorder.”

Sincerely
Wayne Bennett
Head Coach
St George Illawarra Dragons