At the tender age of 12, Thinus Pretorius is an unwilling witness to a close friends' attempted suicide - and it changes the course of his life forever. A few short years later, he too begins a battle with mental health and finds himself powerless against the emotional animal that rears its head without warning and devours everything in its path.

The greatly misunderstood and often misdiagnosed brain disease, bipolar mood disorder, is characterized by bouts of depression and mania, often manifesting through angry outbursts. The euphoric highs and devastating lows put immense pressure on all who live in the shadow of the disease - parents, siblings, spouses, children and friends.

But it is only by confronting the dark that one can truly discover the light. Thinus makes a life-changing decision to accept a personal relationship with God and regain control of his life. Knowing that the bigger the challenge, the harder the path of faith will become, he takes on his grisly alter ego in the most pivotal fight of his life.

In this book, the author shares his deeply personal story, which is both heartbreaking and inspirational in equal measure. Punctuated by the lyrics that have become the soundtrack of his life, Thinus talks honestly and unapologetically about living with the "curse" of BMD, the effects on his family, and the ultimate healing power of Jesus Christ.