Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Individuals and Families

by Michael W. Otto, Noreen A. Reilly-Harrington

Living with bipolar disorder is a challenge, and this book is designed to help patients and their families develop the skills they need to be a good consumer of treatment and to become an expert partner in the management of bipolar disorder. Drawing on research documenting the strength of combining drug treatments with behavioral interventions for fighting bipolar disorder, this book takes a skill-based, family-and-friends approach to managing the ups and downs commonly experienced with the disorder. With Living With Bipolar Disorder , sufferers can learn how to better recognize mood shifts before they happen, minimize their impact, and move on with their lives.
Written by the authors of Managing Bipolar A Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Program , this book teaches individuals with bipolar disorder how to work together with their family and friends to take charge of their illness and get the most out of professional treatment. The authors stress the importance of an active partnership in treatment, while providing information and strategies to help patients and their families enhance their independence and their management of bipolar disorder. In addition to the strategies directed to individuals suffering from bipolar disorder, this book also provides information and instructions for friends and family members so they'll have the tools to help their loved ones take control of their illness. Family members will learn how to recognize potential problems, provide encouragement, practice new coping skills, and understand what the patient is going through. The book also provides worksheets and forms to help the patient reinforce
skills and practices learned in therapy. It includes information about the details of living with bipolar disorder, gives advice on the best ways to avoid relapses, and teaches how to anticipate problems.
Here then is a wealth of information on bipolar disorder along with effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of episodes of depression or mania and maximize the enjoyment of life.

Genres: Mental Health, Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2008

Reviews

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this book was one of the better books about bipolar disorder. It was very simple and concise and very easy to read and understand. It had interactive charts and lists that you can copy and fill out and take to your psychiatrist and it had additional resources to consult were your thirst for bipolar materials not whetted. Personally, this book plus Miklowitz's Bipolar Disorder handbook are the only two books that I have found, so far, worth your time and money.

PS: I really really liked the charts and lists. <3

[Melinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recently found out that someone I know was diagnosed as bi-polar. In an effort to understand what this means, I got several books at the library. Unfortunately, this book is really more of a "so you are bi-polar.... here is how to talk yourself down when you are in an emotional high, and here is how to manage your medications." Not what I was looking for, but probably a worthwhile book for individuals and families who live with this.

[Mohamed Rafeek]

An excellent book for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder or who know someone with Bipolar disorder. Before reading this book, and as a person who is very interested in such mental disorders, I thought it would contain details about how the brains of people who were diagnosed with Bipolar disorder work, but there’s not much information about that. Still, it’s a very good book to read.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone with bipolar, I didn't really find anything that new or interesting. I did agree with several points, but didn't find much use for it. I give it the stars though because it apparently was very useful to my mother and helped her better understand things I've tried to describe.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this book was one of the better books about bipolar disorder. It was very simple and concise and very easy to read and understand. It had interactive charts and lists that you can copy and fill out and take to your psychiatrist and it had additional resources to consult were your thirst for bipolar materials not whetted. Personally, this book plus Miklowitz's Bipolar Disorder handbook are the only two books that I have found, so far, worth your time and money.

PS: I really really liked the charts and lists. <3

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self-help book for people with bipolar (aka manic-depressive) disorder. Covers what the disorder is, getting on medication and psychotherapy and then takes a look into kids and adolescents with the disorder. Into part two of the book, it covers with skills of living with the condition.

I liked the way the book was formatted. It gave plenty of information and then had some very brief worksheets to use in assistance to proactively handle situations and events.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I already knew all of the included information, and anyone who spent twenty minutes reading the WebMD section on bipolar disorder could say the same. Generally worthless, but I appreciate the intent and so won't "bomb" or "turkey" this book. There are better books out there for bipolar folks and their families and friends.