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Bipolar Breakthrough: The Essential Guide to Going Beyond Moodswings to Harness Your Highs, Escape theCycles of Recurrent Depression, and Thrive with Bipolar II
More than 30 years ago, Ronald R. Fieve, MD, gained national recognition for his pioneering treatment of what was then known as "manic-depression." Since then, he has focused on patients with mild bipolarity, also known as Bipolar II. With the right treatment, these patients can turn their illness into an asset.
In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Fieve presents a highly successful program that allows Bipolar II patients to harness the creativity and energy of their hypomanic "highs" while minimizing the potentially devastating "lows" of depression.
Now with a new foreword explaining the most up-to-date research on the bipolar spectrum, Bipolar Breakthrough
- six stay-well strategies for anyone suffering from Bipolar II
-the latest information on cutting-edge medications with fewer side effects
-a special section on the complications of a bipolar diagnosis for pregnant women, children, and the elderly
With results supported by thousands of patient histories, Dr. Fieve's Bipolar Breakthrough is a landmark work that will help the millions of Bipolar II sufferers live better lives.
In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Fieve presents a highly successful program that allows Bipolar II patients to harness the creativity and energy of their hypomanic "highs" while minimizing the potentially devastating "lows" of depression.
Now with a new foreword explaining the most up-to-date research on the bipolar spectrum, Bipolar Breakthrough
- six stay-well strategies for anyone suffering from Bipolar II
-the latest information on cutting-edge medications with fewer side effects
-a special section on the complications of a bipolar diagnosis for pregnant women, children, and the elderly
With results supported by thousands of patient histories, Dr. Fieve's Bipolar Breakthrough is a landmark work that will help the millions of Bipolar II sufferers live better lives.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 14, 2008
I didn't find this book particularly helpful. It covers the basics about bipolar disorder but doesn't really say much about how to do what it promises to tell you how to do.
January 8, 2016
I had high hopes for this book. I was diagnosed with bipolar II this summer (about 6 months ago) after seven long years with unbroken clinical depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Since my new diagnosis, I have done a ton of research. This is one of five or six books I've read as part of that research. My advice: skip this book unless you have euphoric hypomanias.
The book has a lovely premise -- for people with bipolar II who have lovely hypomanias. The idea is that some people have positive hypomanias, with increased energy, decreased need for sleep, increased productivity and creative thought, increased charisma, and so forth. Dr Fieve has had a lot of patients in New York City whose bipolar hypomanias propelled them to the tops of their fields. If these people can weather their lows, then the hypomania doesn't have to be drugged away.
The problem for me here is that my hypomanias are not positive. My hypomanic energy manifests in anxiety, anger, and insomnia. This is why it took so long to be diagnosed as bipolar II -- I had no obvious happy hypomanias. Therefore, I finished the book feeling rather depressed. "I get all the worst parts of bipolar -- the horrid, horrid, chronic lows; the chemical instability; the unpredictability -- but none of the good parts." I felt angry at the unfairness of it all. Dr Fieve talks about patients who have barely any depression but regular hypomania that made them very successful. Yet here I was with unbroken clinical depression and anxiety for seven years before my bipolar diagnosis.... I felt more hopeless after reading the book.
I am sure it is WONDERFUL for some people! He is absolutely right that sometimes mental illness has positives -- it's not all just terrible. And for a certain group of people, this book could be liberating and life-changing, or at least certainly treatment-altering.
For me.... My therapist advised me to never read it again, and to maybe even get rid of it. (I was that upset about the whole thing.) I will keep the few pieces I found that benefit me, and I'll set the rest of it aside. I just want to give advance warning to anyone more like me, in the hopes of sparing them the loneliness and hopelessness I felt.
P.S. This book, on the other hand, was EXACTLY what I needed: Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder; along with Dr Phelps' website. He spoke to my exact kind of bipolar II, the kind that looks like depression&anxiety, or depression&insomnia, or depression&anger, ALL of which I've presented with at different points. So if you're like me, without euphoric hypomanias, that's the book I recommend.
The book has a lovely premise -- for people with bipolar II who have lovely hypomanias. The idea is that some people have positive hypomanias, with increased energy, decreased need for sleep, increased productivity and creative thought, increased charisma, and so forth. Dr Fieve has had a lot of patients in New York City whose bipolar hypomanias propelled them to the tops of their fields. If these people can weather their lows, then the hypomania doesn't have to be drugged away.
The problem for me here is that my hypomanias are not positive. My hypomanic energy manifests in anxiety, anger, and insomnia. This is why it took so long to be diagnosed as bipolar II -- I had no obvious happy hypomanias. Therefore, I finished the book feeling rather depressed. "I get all the worst parts of bipolar -- the horrid, horrid, chronic lows; the chemical instability; the unpredictability -- but none of the good parts." I felt angry at the unfairness of it all. Dr Fieve talks about patients who have barely any depression but regular hypomania that made them very successful. Yet here I was with unbroken clinical depression and anxiety for seven years before my bipolar diagnosis.... I felt more hopeless after reading the book.
I am sure it is WONDERFUL for some people! He is absolutely right that sometimes mental illness has positives -- it's not all just terrible. And for a certain group of people, this book could be liberating and life-changing, or at least certainly treatment-altering.
For me.... My therapist advised me to never read it again, and to maybe even get rid of it. (I was that upset about the whole thing.) I will keep the few pieces I found that benefit me, and I'll set the rest of it aside. I just want to give advance warning to anyone more like me, in the hopes of sparing them the loneliness and hopelessness I felt.
P.S. This book, on the other hand, was EXACTLY what I needed: Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder; along with Dr Phelps' website. He spoke to my exact kind of bipolar II, the kind that looks like depression&anxiety, or depression&insomnia, or depression&anger, ALL of which I've presented with at different points. So if you're like me, without euphoric hypomanias, that's the book I recommend.
August 7, 2011
There was a lot of unnecessary information and a lot of good information as well - especially for someone who does not know much about mood disorders. I'd recommend skimming pages and looking for information that is relevant to you and read those sections. The chapter on medications and the last chapter of the book which lists his stay-well recommendations are useful. I really liked the chapter summaries at the end of every chapter. Very useful.
He recommends that you get an accurate diagnosis first and then to start medication - lithium for bipolar i and lamictal for bipolar ii. And to not take an anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer as this could induce mania. Overall I'm glad I read the book and though I don't think it will be life changing I did learn some things. 2.5 stars. 3 if you have the discipline to to skim the book for relevant information (I didn't).
As an aside, to anyone who has bipolar ii I'd recommend fish oil capsules to help with the low mood and chamomile tea to help with anxiety/agitation/restlessness.
I suppose I'll list his last chapter suggestions for staying well for those who don't have access, motivation, or the time to read this book. ***SPOILER ALERT***
1. Monitor your mood. He gives a chart to use in the book but I'd recommend moodtracker dot com.
2. Seek psychotherapy. It helps you develop coping strategies for stress.
3. Strengthen your social support network. This helps with your overall well being and moods. And also helps to prevent you from isolating yourself and becoming a hermit when you get depressed.
4. Resolve sleep problems. He mentions melatonin helps with insomnia. And that insomnia seems to be a precursor to mood swings.
5. Find medications that work. Have fun with that one.
6. Check your attitude. A positive attitude and resiliency are very important.
He recommends that you get an accurate diagnosis first and then to start medication - lithium for bipolar i and lamictal for bipolar ii. And to not take an anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer as this could induce mania. Overall I'm glad I read the book and though I don't think it will be life changing I did learn some things. 2.5 stars. 3 if you have the discipline to to skim the book for relevant information (I didn't).
As an aside, to anyone who has bipolar ii I'd recommend fish oil capsules to help with the low mood and chamomile tea to help with anxiety/agitation/restlessness.
I suppose I'll list his last chapter suggestions for staying well for those who don't have access, motivation, or the time to read this book. ***SPOILER ALERT***
1. Monitor your mood. He gives a chart to use in the book but I'd recommend moodtracker dot com.
2. Seek psychotherapy. It helps you develop coping strategies for stress.
3. Strengthen your social support network. This helps with your overall well being and moods. And also helps to prevent you from isolating yourself and becoming a hermit when you get depressed.
4. Resolve sleep problems. He mentions melatonin helps with insomnia. And that insomnia seems to be a precursor to mood swings.
5. Find medications that work. Have fun with that one.
6. Check your attitude. A positive attitude and resiliency are very important.
April 15, 2008
or family, friends, and those that suffer from one of the various forms of mood disorder, sometimes finding informational resources is almost as challenging as dealing with the condition itself. Most books as well as our health care workers tend to talk above us. We tend to leave the experience feeling overwhelmed and without much of an idea of what was actually said. Understanding what we can do to help or trying to integrate this information into our lives is often an exercise in futility.
Bipolar II neither talks down to its readers nor dumbs down the information it presents. After reading this book, the reader will have a good understanding of the various types of mood disorders and how to differentiate between them. This is incredibly important information to have when going to see your doctor as often people don't mention (or remember) maniac periods and are erroneously given a diagnosis of depression. The problem is that medications for treating depression are completely different and often cause further complications for those individuals actually suffering from bipolar conditions.
Definitely pick this book up if you or anyone you know and love has any form of mood disorder. It will arm you with knowledge and allow you some aspect of control in a situation that might seem very overwhelming and chaotic.
Bipolar II neither talks down to its readers nor dumbs down the information it presents. After reading this book, the reader will have a good understanding of the various types of mood disorders and how to differentiate between them. This is incredibly important information to have when going to see your doctor as often people don't mention (or remember) maniac periods and are erroneously given a diagnosis of depression. The problem is that medications for treating depression are completely different and often cause further complications for those individuals actually suffering from bipolar conditions.
Definitely pick this book up if you or anyone you know and love has any form of mood disorder. It will arm you with knowledge and allow you some aspect of control in a situation that might seem very overwhelming and chaotic.
December 28, 2015
I found this book very informative and useful. As a future mental health practitioner I am much more knowledgeable about bipolar 2 than I was before, and that's what I was looking to get out of this book. I do think the title promises a bit too much; I'm not sure I would find it personally useful as a self help book. Rather it is more geared towards the practitioner or highly interested layperson.
February 6, 2017
A preeminent scientist at the forefront of Bipolar treatment with Lithium, in the 1970s. However, now he seems a little out of touch. Most clients are celebrities or top executives. Not much relevant for "normal folks". He also lets his BP II got without meds to maintain creative highs.
April 25, 2008
A touch too self-helpy for my taste, but well-written & full of good information.
June 17, 2009
Having bipolar II doesn't have to be all bad- as this psychiatrist points out, if carefully monitored, hypomania can be used to a person's great advantage
February 27, 2013
So far it's been mostly informational with dsm criteria etc.
June 8, 2010
A thorough and well-written guide to Bipolar II.
October 28, 2011
Full of great info, but I already knew a lot of it. Would have liked some more concrete how-to advice. Great and required reading for anyone with or living with someone with Bipolar II.
December 30, 2012
Good for those seeking information to help themselves or a loved one with this not-so-well-known disorder. It's like a "starter" book; a good way to open communication.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews