In Hitchhiking to Madness, Dr. Carol Hamilton takes readers on a soul-stirring journey through the 1970s―a time marked by hippies, Jesus freaks, and the awakening of social consciousness. After being excommunicated from her church for advocating a more accepting form of Christianity, Hamilton dropped out of college and embarked on an odyssey across America with her young husband. Through humor and horror, she explores life on the road, the terrifying descent of her husband into madness, the sexual assault she endures, and his attempt to murder her and their unborn child.
During this crisis, Hamilton decides to trust in herself, drawing strength from the support of friends and family, and eventually severs her marital bond. She navigates through a sea of post-traumatic emotions and shares her journey to becoming a physician at a time when female doctors were a rarity. Hamilton ends her memoir with thoughtful insights on mental illness and encourages readers to find courage in their unplanned detours―it's never too late to forge your own path.
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"Reading Hitchhiking to Madness, I am astonished by Carol's compassion, wisdom, humanity, and clarity. As a medical educator, I cannot speak highly enough of this book. I think it should be required reading for all seeking a career in clinical medicine."
- Jane P. Gagliardi, MD, MHS, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor of Medicine
"Hamilton's inspirational memoir is hard to put down. When Hamilton finally escapes this hell, she rises to academic success. Her final gift is to organize the chaos of severe mental illness for those of us who haven't lived with and struggled to make sense of it."
- Mark Anthony Powers, MD, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, author of the Phineas Mann series
"Hitchhiking to Madness tells a compelling story with raw, honest insight into the world of mental illness forced upon a naive twenty-something. Readers go along for the ride of personal discovery, struggling to figure out what is happening to her good-hearted husband. I recommend this book to all readers, especially to those involved with mental health."
- Gordon Lipscomb, MSW, Clinical Social Worker, retired
"Carol's life was way harder than she had imagined it would be. She found many kind strangers, but her own resourcefulness was her greatest asset. This story gives us reason to notice young women and to listen to them. Carol has never stopped re-sculpting her own life. She has roamed with purpose and explored with delight."
- Ellen Andrews, MD, Psychiatrist, Neurologist, Palliative Care
