Outstanding Scenes

Bitter Medicine: A Graphic Memoir of Mental Illness contains a lot of wonderful scenes scatted throughout. Outstanding Scenes page by Thong Truong

P41-44
These few pages highlight's the last moments that Ben had. The mental illness starting ripping him apart and he decided that he wanted to end it all. Olivier's graphics introduced the story of what happened to Ben. Using a comic style, it briefly lead the readers through his last moments. Clem then wrote about the suicide in detail. This is a major part in the memoir as it introduces the readers to the many outcomes of schizophrenia. The family was filled with guilt as they didn't do much to help Ben due to their little knowledge of mental illness.

Interlude
From page 129 to 159, Clem and Olivier both describe the stages of mental illness. The process and levels that most individuals go through are categorized in circles of hell. Olivier adds visuals and represents people as demons to really emphasize on how much suffering people can have. Clem also talks about the bad health care system and deinstitutionalization. The main thing that Clem wanted people to know is the little budgeting and awareness that went into the psychiatric unit.

P174-178
In this scene, Olivier experiences a diabetic attack for the first time. As he calls Clem about his symptoms, Clem urges Olivier to take an ambulance but he refuses to do so. The suspense rises as Clem comes to pick up Olivier to bring him to the hospital. His symptoms get worse and for a brief moment, he blacks out. The tension builds as Olivier's health declines and everyone wonders if he will live by the end of the night. This intense part of the memoir shows how unpredictable mental illness can be due to one of his drugs causing issues with his health.

Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinstitutionalisation

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/diabetic-shock-and-insulin-reactions#1