Product Description

A comprehensive guide offering straight talk that can help people with bipolar disorder take charge of their illness and reclaim their lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15637 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 322 pages

Review
'A practical, straightforward book that will be a great help to those who have bipolar illness, as well as their families.' - Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, author of An Unquiet Mind

From the Back Cover
This comprehensive guide offers straight talk that can help people with bipolar disorder take charge of their illness and reclaim their lives. It is filled with practical self-assessment and self-management strategies from a compassionate professional who knows what works. The book helps individuals and family members come to terms with the diagnosis; recognize early warning signs of manic or depressive episodes; cope with mood triggers, medication problems, and family and work issues; and learn to collaborate effectively with doctors and therapists. Above all, it supplies proven tools to help readers reach toward achieving balance - without sacrificing their right to a rich and varied emotional life.

About the Author
David J. Miklowitz, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The author of over 80 journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Miklowitz is the coauthor (with Michael G. Goldstein) of Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach, which won the 1998 Outstanding Research Publication Award from the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy.

Customer Reviews

Refining the chaos
I've suffered from bipolar disorder since I was 9. After countless misdiagnoses (including ADHD, multiple personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia), I was finally diagnosed shortly after my 18th birthday. Had this book been around when I was a child, maybe all that pain and confusion could have been avoided. A clear, well-written book, it brilliantly conveys everything families and sufferers need to know about this most complex of illnesses. It doesn't fall into the usual trap of assuming that you have a long family history of bipolar disorder, or that lithium is the only thing for you - it's written humanely, looking into all aspects and possibilities. Highly recommended.

Excellent Book.
I have read this book to understand what have been experiencing for years, Bipolar Disorder. This book is excellent, it felt as if it was written for me by a therapist who has known me for years. By using examples of real people, in many different situations, you feel that Dr. Miklowitz has an insight into exactly what you are experiencing. His advice is practical and spot on, this book is essential reading for anyone with bipolar and their immediate close circle of family and friends. He includes worksheets and information sheets throughout. My book is full of Postit notes and I am hopeful that I can improve my quality and enjoyment of life because of this book. His writing style is also easy and flowing and he references his work throughout, showing that he is extremely knowledgeable about bipolar disorder.

Informative, practical & easy to read
One of 2 books i purchased from Amazon after my diagnosis - the other being more geared towards the medical profession.

I've found this book really useful, not only in providing information on Bipolar Disorder, but also with practical advice on recognising symptoms and dealing with the disorder.

It's a real 'start at the beginning' book - taking you from recognising the symptoms of BD, through diagnosis, treatments and on through to dealing with the disorder, coping with the ups and downs, how to broach the subject with friends, family and work and then staying well.

It contains samples of scales, exercises & charts - much like the ones anyone dealing with BD will have been given by their doctor - which i found very helpful.

It also contains examples of real stories of BD patients. I found these especially comforting to read - it sounds cliched but i really did think 'i am not alone'.

The book discusses the possible causes of BD, what events/factors that may exacerbate symptoms, medications and their implications and therapies. It also discusses the role of family and friends in the BD sufferers life, giving advice on how they may find ways to deal with mood swings etc.

The only draw back to this book is that - as with much psych literature of this kind - it's written by an American doctor and as such is quite 'Americanised'. That doesnt detract however from how useful the book is - it just means that the author presumes you have your therapist on speed dial (in the NHS you'll be lucky!) - & the spelling & terms are American.

Overall i recommend this book to anyone dealing with BD on a personal level - either as patient or family/friend/carer.

Apart from the book i also bought at the same time as this i havent felt i needed any more info about my Disorder than this book has, and can, give me.