Product Description
Thanks to sharper diagnosis and better medicine, the future is brighter for people with bipolar disorder than in past generations. But if you or someone you love is struggling with the frantic highs and crushing lows of this illness, there are still many hurdles to surmount at home, at work, and in daily life.*How can you learn to distinguish between the early warning signs of mood swings and the normal ups and downs of life? *What medications are available, and what are their side effects? *What should you do when you find yourself escalating into mania or descending into depression? *How can you get the help and support you need from family members and friends? *How can you tell your coworkers about your illness without endangering your career? In this comprehensive guide, Dr. David J. Miklowitz offers straight talk that can help you tackle these and related questions, take charge of your illness, and reclaim your life. A leading researcher and clinical specialist who knows what works, Dr. Miklowitz supplies proven tools to help you achieve balance--and free yourself from the emotional and financial havoc that result when symptoms rule your life--without sacrificing your right to rich and varied emotional experiences.This essential resource will help you and your family members come to terms with the diagnosis, recognize early warning signs of manic or depressive episodes, cope with triggers of mood swings, resolve medication problems, and learn to collaborate effectively with doctors and therapists. You'll learn specific ways to ask for support and help from your family and friends--and what to do when their "caring" feels like "controlling." For times when the going gets tough, a wealth of examples of how others have dealt with similar challenges offer new perspectives and new solutions.Whether you have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, are considering seeking help for the first time, or have been in treatment for years, this empowering book is designed to help put you--not your illness--back in charge of your life.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 70 reviews)

Fabulous, practical and well written by Sara Struck (chicago, il)

5 Stars
October 13, 2009
I have read a few publications on bi-polar disorder and this is the best book by far written to help someone with bi-polar disorder understand and manage their disease. It reviews symptoms and characteristics of both mania and depression, discusses in depth pharmaceuticals and what each is prescribed for whether anti-depressant or anti-psychotic etc. Just very well written so that it is easy to understand and engaging.

An insightful book for beginners by L. W. Y. Joanne (Hong Kong)

5 Stars
September 24, 2009
An easy to read and practical book for patients, family members and those who want to know more about bipolar disorder.

Excellent, serious, informative by T. Cushman (Boston)

5 Stars
July 25, 2009
With all the bad stuff out there, this one really stands out. The author treats the reader as intelligent and presents a very organized narrative, with reliable information. He deals well with the complexities of diagnoses, and understands how this disorder might be confusing to patients, given its wide range of presentations. Wholeheartedly recommended and a shining light when compared with some of the others out there that are insults to intelligent people. Everyone tries to make money off of these books, and this leads to a market saturated with poseurs, but this author is the real thing.

Good for families of and people dealing with their own bipolar disorder by Kathy Two Ponies (wallowa county)

5 Stars
June 21, 2009
The Bipolar Survival Guide -- well recommended by support groups and doctors I've talked too; helpful for families and friends as well as the person with the dis-ease. Oriented toward dealing with the condition and the person in a respectful effective way. Good stuff.

Waste of money by Bradley Weidman (Denver, CO United States)

1 Stars
May 12, 2009
I have bipolar disorder and read many books on the subject. After reading some of the reviews and the description of the book, I had high hopes. I am always looking for literature to help my family, friends, and relationships understand what it means to have bipolar, and to help them understand what they see me go through. I struggled to read this book. It was boring and only brushed the surface of the disorder. The book also reads like a high school text book; I felt as if there should have been a test at the end of every chapter. This book may be helpful to some, but I found it did not go deeply into what people really need to know to understand and the disorder and help their loved ones with it.

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