Living at the Speed of Light: Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder, from Depression to Mania and Everything in Between

by Kai Conibear

Shining a light on mania, depression and everything in between, this no-nonsense guide to life with bipolar disorder gives advice on how to manage the condition and work towards stability.

Drawing on her own experiences, Katie Conibear discusses the realities of life with bipolar and shares practical tips and advice. She explains different symptoms, including mania, hypomania, psychosis and depression, and gives advice on managing relationships, facing stigma and discrimination and learning to be comfortable with stability. The book also contains a chapter on how friends, family and caregivers can support someone with bipolar practically.

Whether you suspect you have bipolar disorder, have been recently diagnosed or have been living with the condition for many years, this honest but hopeful guide is a must read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2021

Reviews

[Ginnie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very informative and relatable 🦄

I'll share my official rating and thoughts in my wrap up video. In the meantime, subscribe to my channel and check out more videos here: Ginnie Reads

[Nicole Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“When they don’t make the effort to understand, they’re diminishing the battle I’ve been through.” — Conibear

The author of the Stumbling Mind blog and now The Salty Mental, Conibear recounts her personal experiences with hypomania/mania, psychosis and depression - and provides advice for those managing the mental illness, bipolarism.

Her guidance is practical and helpful… but I found her personal anecdotes most rewarding. I love that she is pressing for more conversations about mental illness to help break down stigmas.

Book inspo: Education

[benedetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and informative! It’s an helpful guide to get to know Bipolar.

[Rose the Book Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for anyone with Bipolar Disorder, and for family/friends/partners who want to better understand the illness and give support.

It's informative, well organized, candid, and easy to read. Katie Conibear shares her deeply personal experiences, and gives practical information that will help anyone whose lives are touched by BPD, from understanding symptoms, to treatment options, to life skills and social advice.

I highly recommend Living At the Speed of Light to everyone, whether you think you know someone with BPD, or not; it's a really educational and illuminating book.

[Lizzie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential for anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Very easy to read and follow and all identifiable. I was so grateful to read such an honest account of what it is really like to live with this mental illness every day.

[Mishon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t have bipolar nor do any of my family or close friends, but I like to learn about all sorts of different things which is why I picked up this book. It was okay. Never having ready any other teaching type of book on bipolar I don’t have anything to compare it against.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellent at helping you to understand bipolar from the inside, and how to help from the outside.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone with bipolar disorder. I found it really relatable, honest, down to earth and full of useful information.

[Jane Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for those who don’t have bipolar to understand bipolar disorder.

[Susan Belperio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise read of what it's like to live with Bipolar Disorder and all the bits in between depression and mania. Sort of like a Cook's tour. A very good reference book. Highly recommend.

[Lucian Fenwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was a hard read, but very very good.

She does get a little repetitive towards the end, but I would still highly recommend anyone with a new diagnosis read this.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 : English Review
2 : Critique en Français

1 : English Review - A friend's book about living with bipolar disorder


Katie Conibear is a friend I met first online and then in person... In the meantime, they (nonbinary at the time of publishing) had published this book, discussing the realities of living with bipolar disorder and sharing practical tips and advice.

This book is divided into chapters, all written in a way that the average person will understand, with explanations of specific jargons kept to a minimum.

They explain different symptoms, whether mania, hypomania, psychosis or even depression, which accompany the ups and downs of this disorder - hence the title, which means "living at the speed of light ".

There are tips for managing relationships, dealing with stigma and discrimination, and learning to be comfortable with stability.

A chapter is dedicated to how friends, family and caregivers can support practically.

----

2 : Critique en Français - Le livre d'une amie, sur la vie avec le trouble bipolaire

Katie Conibear est une amie rencontrée d'abord en ligne et aussi en personne... Entre temps, elle a publié ce livre, y discutant des réalités de la vie avec le trouble bipolaire et partage des astuces et des conseils pratiques.
Ce livre est divisé en chapitres, tous écris de façon à ce que la personne lambda comprenne, avec les explications de jargons spécifiques, tenus au minimum.

Elle explique différents symptômes, que ce soit la manie, l'hypomanie, la psychose ou encore la dépression, qui accompagne les hauts et les bas de ce trouble - d'où le titre, qui veut dire "vivre à la vitesse de la lumière".

Elle ajoute des conseils pour gérer les relations, faire face à la stigmatisation et à la discrimination et apprendre à se sentir à l'aise dans la stabilité.
Un chapitre est dédié sur la manière dont les amis, la famille et les soignants peuvent soutenir pratiquement une personne souffrant du trouble bipolaire.