Brain Fever (poetry collection)

Brain Fever is a poetry collection by Valerie Duff-Strautmann, published in 2004 by BrickHouse Books. The collection explores themes of mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, as experienced by the author. The poems delve into the heightened states of mania, the depths of depression, and the challenges of living with a chronic condition. Duff-Strautmann uses vivid imagery and unflinching honesty to portray the internal landscape of mental illness, addressing the stigma surrounding it and seeking to create understanding and empathy. The collection is noted for its raw emotional power and its contribution to a greater awareness of mental health issues in literature. The title, "Brain Fever," itself alludes to an older, less precise term for various mental disturbances, reflecting the historical context and ongoing evolution of understanding mental health.