The Year Between

Clemence Miller experiences a turbulent sophomore year in college, leading her to make erratic decisions that strain her relationships. Her erratic behavior causes concern among her friends and family, highlighting the struggles she faces during this chaotic period.

Seeing the impact of Clemence's declining mental state, her roommate Eliza takes the brave step to notify the college administration. This action is driven by a sense of urgency to protect both Clemence and themselves from further turmoil.

Eliza's concern leads her to inform Clemence's mother, Sherri, about the alarming situation. This prompts Sherri and others to intervene, which ultimately forces Clemence to withdraw from college.

Clemence returns to her childhood home, only to find her room converted into an office. This alteration symbolizes the changes in her life and adds to her sense of loss and isolation.

In an effort to address her mental health challenges, Clemence seeks help from psychiatrist Dr. Madzen. Here, she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and begins a new treatment plan involving lithium.

Initially, Clemence struggles with accepting her diagnosis and the medication regimen, resulting in a rocky start to her treatment. However, her mother remains steadfast in her support, encouraging Clemence to adhere to her recovery plan.

Clemence's family has varied responses to her return. While her father, Don, tries to maintain a positive outlook, her siblings express worries about their own futures and the potential legacy of Clemence's struggles.

Carlin, Clemence's younger sister, becomes particularly anxious about inheriting her sister's challenges and thus focuses on improving her ACT scores. This reflects the impact Clemence's issues have on her family dynamics.

In a bid to regain control over her life, Clemence starts attending therapy sessions regularly. She also finds part-time work at a nearby thrift store, which helps to instill a sense of purpose in her daily routine.

While working at the thrift store, Clemence begins to develop a tentative friendship with coworker Beth. This newfound connection provides Clemence with a support system outside of her family, crucial for her recovery.

Clemence's newfound stability is put to the test when she reconnects with Ashik, a former party friend. This rekindled relationship poses a risk to the progress she has made in her recovery journey.

As Clemence navigates her recovery journey, she grapples with the challenges of maintaining her sobriety while managing relationships that could jeopardize her mental health. Her experience reflects the complexities of healing.

Despite the difficulties, Clemence's family continues to support her in various ways. Each of them plays a role in her journey, as they learn to cope with the changing family dynamics brought about by her mental health struggles.

Throughout this journey, Clemence begins to understand and accept her mental health condition. As she learns to manage her bipolar disorder, she gains insight into her past and the importance of seeking help.