The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, Second Edition: What You and Your Family Need to Know [Paperback]

David J. Miklowitz PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1606235427 | ISBN-13: 978-1606235423 | Edition: Second Edition

 

Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward reclaiming your life from bipolar disorder. 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. You need current information and practical problem-solving advice you can count on. You've come to the right place.

 

* How can you distinguish between early warning signs of bipolar mood swings and normal ups and downs?

* 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 tell your coworkers about your illness without endangering your career?

* If you have a family member with bipolar disorder, how can you provide constructive help and support?

 

Trusted authority Dr. David J. Miklowitz offers straight talk, true stories, and proven strategies that can help you achieve greater balance and free yourself from out-of-control moods. The updated second edition of this bestselling guide has the latest facts on medications and therapy, an expanded discussion of parenting issues for bipolar adults, and a new chapter, "For Women Only."

 

(20020215)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A practical, straightforward book that will be a great help to those who have bipolar illness, as well as their families. I could not recommend this book more highly."--Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, author of An Unquiet Mind

"This book has been a faithful friend in the difficult time since my diagnosis. I particularly appreciate the insights into communicating effectively with doctors, family, and friends after an episode. The charts, lists, and practical tools are amazing for those of us who like to be proactive and organized. But the best part of the book is the quotations from others with the disorder who share their experiences and feelings. I've said some of these exact things myself; seeing them here helps me feel just a little bit less isolated and more hopeful."--N.B., Boulder, Colorado

"Recommended."--Library Journal (on the previous edition)

(Library Journal )

"The author''s expertise, compassion, and experience are evident throughout....Well worth reading and remembering."--NAMI Advocate (on the previous edition)

(NAMI Advocate )

"The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide is a thorough, research-based book for consumers who would like to learn about their illness and how to manage it."--Reintegration Today (on the previous edition)

(Reintegration Today )

"This book is crammed full of useful information for bipolar patients, their family members, therapists, friends, lovers, employers and anyone else interested in bipolar disorders....This book is so well written and so full of useful advice as to how to plan and organize a life, that it could be profitably studied by anyone, whether or not he or she has bipolar disorder or knows someone who does."--Metapsychology Online Book Reviews (on the previous edition)

(Metapsychology Online Book Reviews )

About the Author

David J. Miklowitz, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Medicine, and Senior Clinical Researcher at Oxford University, UK. He directs the Integrative Study Center in Mood Disorders and the Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program at the UCLA Semel Institute. Dr. Miklowitz's numerous publications include the award-winning book for professionals Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach. He lives with his wife in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Second Edition edition (December 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606235427
• ISBN-13: 978-1606235423
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Bipolar

More About the Author

David J. Miklowitz, PhD, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Colorado, is a leading international scholar and author in the study of bipolar disorder. He is currently investigating the effectiveness of his Family-Focused Therapy for adolescent bipolar disorder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best-written, most up-to-date book on this topic, January 23, 2011

By 

FMB123 (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, Second Edition: What You and Your Family Need to Know (Paperback)

I've read numerous books on this topic and am especially impressed with this one. Because the second edition is so recent (2011), it contains the latest research and findings, some of which were new to me. Miklowitz is a wonderful writer who manages to both explain concepts thoroughly and well while not sounding condescending. He addresses topics that other books don't, such as what bipolar disorder looks like to family and friends, and how it feels from the inside. He offers a lot of good information about how to head off mania, managing moods, stabilizing one's environment, dealing with meds, getting a proper diagnosis, succeeding at home and work, and concerns specific to women. Especially valuable is the chapter on where bipolar disorder comes from, and some recent research about Ehlers' social rhythm stability hypothesis. Fascinating. The only topic I would have liked him to include was the role of sunlight in BD--this would have been very helpful to a number of people I know who are very light-sensitive. But otherwise, really great information and suggestions, presented exceptionally well. Highly recommended.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for people with bipolar, March 11, 2011

By 

masa2802 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, Second Edition: What You and Your Family Need to Know (Paperback)

I have bipolar disorder and this is the first book I read on the disease. Even in this day and age of internet and easy access to information I found this book tremendously useful. It provides both a broad picture of the disease and many details that bipolar patients face in their lives. After having read the book, I find it easier to accept my illness and I believe I will be more responsible with my life knowing better what my illness is. Some of the points from the book will also be something I will address when next seeing my doctor. I am sure having read the book and being able to use it as reference will improve my relationship with my psychiatrist and will add to my better quality of life with the disease.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bipolar Survival Guide Review, February 5, 2011

By 

jennacat1 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, Second Edition: What You and Your Family Need to Know (Paperback)

This is a must have for every person or family member of a person with bipolar disorder. Full of comprehensive information and told in layman's language without any 'talking down'. (for instance, I learned that a side effect of one of my medications is curly hair!) Covers both traditional and complimentary therapies.