Finding Order in Disorder: A Bipolar Memoir

Ishaa Vinod Chopra
Uttar Pradesh, India: OM Books International, 2024

Finding Order in Disorder is Ishaa Vinod Chopra’s experience of bipolar disorder. The book traces her life from childhood focusing on themes of discrimination and racism, repeated hospitalization, domestic violence, heartbreak, psychiatric medication, intergenerational trauma, the mother-daughter relationship, and family.

Ishaa addresses what is is like to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, how it affects her relationships, and the societal norms that influence how society understands madness. Ishaa shares her insights, and advocates for the importance of art therapy, dance, yoga, and self-love.

Ishaa Vinod Chopra’s Bio

Ishaa identifies as a mad, female, queer, South Asian artist, author, and disability justice advocate. She is an award winning author and Guelph University MSc. Thesis Candidate in Critical Family and Kinship Studies with a Collaborative Specialization in Gender, Sexualities and Bodies at the University of Guelph, Canada. Ishaa founded Finding Order in Disorder Foundation – a Non-Profit & Arts Collective- named after her memoir – seeking to explore projects such as hybrid podcasts, therapeutic dance and community engagement for mental wellness.

She has been featured on panels at Mad Studies Hub at York University, Mad Pasts, Mad Presence Conference at the University of Victoria, twice at Rendezvous with Madness, and others. You may follow Ishaa’s portfolio as an Artist under ‘Ishaa Improv.’

An immense source of inspiration has been her Indian Classical Dance Kathak teacher Guru Maneesha Tai Sathe ji, and her research supervisor and mentor, Dr. Adam W.J. Davies.

Find out more at www.findingorderindisorder.com

Youtube: Ishaa Improv @findingorderindisorder

Podcast: Finding Order in Disorder on Spotify