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.

Julie Fast and John Preston have written a ground breaking book for couples who want to prevent manic depressive disorder from hijacking their relationship. Fast, a health writer diagnosed with bipolar illness and clinical psychologist Preston are ideal companions. Their innovative ideas will be welcomed by exhausted partners of "bipolar individuals"--whose illness can cause them to alternate between manic and depressed behavior. Once medication has been prescribed, the key is studying the specific ways your partner is effected. This allows couples to develop pro-active strategies for treating and stabilizing mood swings and symptoms, before they develop into full-blown crises. The techniques emphasize prevention, rather than putting out fires. These include understanding the difference between the person and the disease (know when "the bipolar disorder is talking") listing your partner's specific symptoms, identifying the triggers that lead to these symptoms and transforming the "bipolar conversation" The goal of all the tools is to pinpoint early warning signs of a manic or depressive episode and be prepared with a holistic treatment plan. Other segments of the book deal with the work (checkered resumes) and financial problems (spending sprees) created by this illness. The author's ideas are engaging, compassionate and realistic--an oasis of relief and hope.

For any caregiver experiencing life with a bipolar child, Demitri and Janice Papolos's The Bipolar Child will be an indispensable reference guide. The material is presented clearly, with lots of helpful charts and lists to aid in receiving proper diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care. All medical information is relayed with the aim of helping parents to ensure effective treatment for their children and includes journal-tracking formats to help caregivers provide accurate information to personal physicians. Importantly, many pages are devoted to discussions about the emotional upheavals that living with a bipolar child can bring, and how parents and children can cope most effectively. The book is filled with families' stories that do a beautiful job providing comfort and inspiration to others. A detailed chapter on hospitalization covers everything from insurance to types of treatments. The authors provide excellent information regarding improved educational practices, with step-by-step instructions for goal-setting with your child and communicating your child's needs to school personnel. The Bipolar Child is a satisfying and wise read.

Living with bipolar disorder is a lifelong challenge. Those who struggle with the illness have to learn effective ways to control their mood swings, avoid relapse, and get the most from medication-based treatments. This workbook delivers a hands-on resource that gives sufferers the edge they need. Based on proven cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, the book offers a variety of tools that enable readers to recognize the early warning signs of an oncoming episode, develop plans for withstanding the seductive pull of manic episodes, and escape the paralysis of depression. Specific chapters address key challenges at various stages, from overcoming denial of the initial diagnosis to fine-tuning treatments and maintaining gains.

If your depression keeps coming back or is even getting worse, then you may be suffering from bipolar II or “soft” bipolar disorder. Commonly misdiagnosed, these mood disorders are characterized by recurring bouts of depression along with anxiety, irritability, mood swings, sleep problems, or intrusive thoughts.

Why Am I Still Depressed? shows you how to identify if you have a nonmanic form of bipolar disorder and how to work with your doctor to safely and effectively treat it.

Author James R. Phelps, M.D., gives you the latest tools and knowledge so you can:

• Understand the Mood Spectrum, a powerful new tool for diagnosis
• Know all your treatment options, including mood-stabilizing medications and research-tested psychotherapies
• Examine the potential hazards of taking antidepressant medications
• Manage your condition with exercise and lifestyle changes
• Help family and friends with this condition understand their diagnosis and find treatment

Identify your stressors and triggers. Get an accurate diagnosis and get on with your life!

Want to know more about bipolar disorder? This reassuring guide explains the brain chemistry behind the disease and covers the latest medications and therapies. You get sound advice and self-help techniques that you and your loved ones, including kids and teens, can use to ease and eliminate symptoms, function in times of crisis, plan ahead for manic or depressive episodes, and feel a whole lot better.

Discover how to

• Select a mental health specialist
• Take control of your treatment
• Maintain mood stability
• Make positive lifestyle changes
• Know your medication options

Kids in the Syndrome Mix is a concise, scientifically up-to-date, all-in-one guide to the whole range of often co-existing neuro-behavioral disorders in children—from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder, to autistic spectrum disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, sensory integration problems, and executive dysfunction.

Dr. Kutscher provides accessible information on causes, symptoms, interactions with other conditions, and treatments. He presents effective behavioral strategies for responding to children who display traits of these disorders—whether at home, at school, or in other settings—along with case vignettes and practical tips.

The author’s sympathetic yet upbeat approach and skillful explanations of the inner world of children in the syndrome mix make this an invaluable companion for parents, teachers, professionals, and anyone else who needs fast and to-the-point advice on children with special needs.

Our brightest, most creative children and adults are often being misdiagnosed with behavioral and emotional disorders such as ADHD, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, Bipolar, OCD, or Asperger’s. Many receive unneeded medication and inappropriate counseling as a result.

Physicians, psychologist, and counselors are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. Six nationally prominent health care professionals describe ways parents and professionals can distinguish between gifted behaviors and pathological behaviors.

Features include a Foreword by Ronald E. Fox, Psy.D., Ph.D., Past President of the American Psychological Association, and:

• Written for parents and professionals • Characteristics of gifted children and adults • Diagnoses most commonly given to gifted children and adults • Traits of diagnoses incorrectly given to gifted children and adults • Guidelines to avoid mislabeling gifted children • Parent-child relationship problems • Issues for gifted adults • Advice for selecting a counselor or health care professional

"Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults" has been endorsed by three past presidents of the American Psychological Association, two neurologists, and two family practice physicians.

In this book for persons with bipolar disorder and their families, Dr. Frank Mondimore offers a comprehensive, practical, compassionate guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as "manic-depression." He offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now available -- from medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as St. John's wort and transcranial magnetic stimulation. For each, he discusses advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and other information to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options. He also describes what it is like to live with bipolar disorder and discusses how lifestyle changes can improve quality of life. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help.

Bipolar disorder is a particularly difficult illness to diagnose and treat, Dr. Mondimore acknowledges, and it can be incredibly destructive to relationships and careers, can wreak havoc on family life and, when not properly treated, is a potentially fatal disease. In his wide-ranging discussion of this unpredictable disorder, Dr. Mondimore describes problems that are unique to women, whose disease may be affected by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and childbirth,. He includes new information on the forms the illness takes in children and adolescents, in whom it can sometimes be mistaken for more common problems such as "hyperactivity" or Attention Deficit Disorder. He explains what we know about the genetics of the disease, how symptoms fluctuate with the seasons in seasonal affective disorder, and how illness can be made more difficult to treat because of alcoholism or drug abuse. He discusses coping with the stigmatization of psychiatric diagnosis, gives advice on picking a psychiatrist and on dealing with medical insurance issues, and even explores the fascinating relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity. Finally, Dr. Mondimore tells family members what they can do to help the person with bipolar disorder -- and themselves -- and he offers hope for the future as researchers learn more about the disease and how to control it.

This important book contains cutting-edge research and straightforward advice from the most respected names on bipolar disorder, along with the most up-to-date information on mental health organizations and support and advocacy groups.

Lori Oliwenstein, formerly a senior editor at Discovery magazine, has written on topics from evolutionary medicine to bacterial suicide for numerous magazines. She also coauthored Superhuman: The Awesome Power Within, the companion volume to the documentary series aired by the BBC and the Discovery Channel. She is currently a science writer for USC’s Health Sciences Public Relations Office.

The Bipolar Advantage is about recognizing all of the aspects of the bipolar condition. Wootton readily admits that "Advantage" is not the typical interpretation of bipolar. Based on his Bipolar in Order Seminar that he has developed over the past two years, it focuses on the positive approach to the bipolar condition. It is about coming to an acceptance of yourself while striving to become a better person. Learning to use Introspection to become aware of who you REALLY are and learning to change your habits in order to accentuate the positive aspects of the bipolar condition while minimizing the negative. Turning bipolar into an advantage is accomplished by creating a vision of who you want to be and putting together a plan to follow that will get you there; as is done by every successful business in the world.

As a successful professional and someone who was misdiagnosed for years, Wootton has personally experienced the good and the bad of this condition. Leading a DBSA group and teaching the Bipolar in Order seminar has put Wootton in touch with the personal stories of many bipolar people and their families. This positive approach with tools and skills for improving life will be of help to everyone, both those with bipolar and those who love and support them.

Now you can maintain control of your bipolar disorder and begin enjoying life again—today! This book dispels the myths and fears surrounding bipolar disorder. It offers compassionate, practical, and immediate guidance for anyone affected by this disorder. Inside, world-renowned experts present important, life-altering advances, including:
·The causes, symptoms, and patterns of bipolar disorder
·New medications
·The latest psychiatric findings
·Cutting-edge treatment models
·Complementary therapies that work
·Effective and practical tools for parenting your bipolar child
·And much more!

Consumer text provides parents with bipolar children sound advice and expert information necessary for coping with this challenging diagnosis. Shows how to provide essential care and support for the child and the family. Includes such topics as choosing the right mental health care professionals, medications, structure of daily life, and more.

This true medical detective story describes the author's four generation family odyssey that leads him to paths less traveled. He discusses multiple biological causes of and effective nutritional interventions for those suffering from bipolar disorder and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders. He explores new typologies for "mental" illness, as well as assumptions and practices in the justice and mental health systems that impact those with CNS disorders. A totally different way — for patients, parents, teachers, therapists, police, prison guards, nurses, doctors and judges — to think about mental illness.

David Moyer, retired Lt Col, USAF, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Diplomate with a 28 year career as a therapist and mental health administrator in the United States Air Force. An insider by virtue of his membership in the mental health profession and a bipolar family, he not only provides a telling perspective of the institutions that deal with our most vulnerable citizens, but also offers practical recommendations for a better future for those who are called the "mentally ill."

Bipolar Disorder: Insights for Recovery is about hope and recovery. It's a book that springs from my personal experiences. In it I share the essential understanding of bipolar disorder that I wish I had had when I was first diagnosed.

I wrote this book to provide easy to read, practical information that those with bipolar disorder, their families and friends can apply to daily life. I believe that a core understanding of bipolar disorder is essential to recovery. This core understanding does not come from a textbook, but rather from knowledge combined with experience. Thus my goal is to provide a book that speaks on a personal level to readers. Above all I want the information I share to be recovery focused and useful.

There are many fine books about bipolar disorder, but they tend to be either memoirs or technical books written for clinicians. These add to our understanding and play an important role. In contrast, my book, is for individuals, families and friends who are seeking a way to manage the challenges of bipolar disorder.

My hope for readers is that they will enter into the process of seeking recovery.