Psychiatric Tales, by Darryl Cunningham

This graphic novel recounts episodes from Cunningham’s stint working in a psychiatric hospital in spare black-and-white panels. Each story is organized around a different mental illness, and while the stated intent is to de-stigmatize, Cunningham does not flinch from the gross and disturbing. Trigger warning for everything under the sun.

I bought this on the strength of the “Bipolar Disorder” chapter, which is posted online, and is honest and funny without being mocking. That and the final chapter, about Cunningham’s own struggle with depression and anxiety, were the strongest in the book.

The graphic novel was well-done, but I was left wanting more – both more stories, and more depth and detail in what was there.

Psychiatric Tales: Eleven Graphic Stories About Mental Illness