Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability (New Harbinger Workbooks) [Paperback]

Mary Ellen Copeland (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Harbinger Workbooks | Publication Date: October 1994

Living Without Depression and Manic Depression outlines a program that helps people achieve real breakthroughs in coping and healing. This exhaustive handbook covers the following issues: self-advocacy, building a network of support, developing a wellness lifestyle, achieving calmness with energy, symptom prevention strategies, building self-esteem, developing a personalized plan for mood stability, building a career that works, trauma resolution, dealing with sleep problems, diet, vitamin and herbal therapies, dealing with stigma, managing medication side effects, psychotherapy and counseling alternatives, learning to have fun, laughter, and pleasure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Those affected with depressive and manic depressive disorders can live fairly normal lives with proper treatment: this title provides self-help tips to supplement treatment programs, providing encouragement for self-advocacy and including recommendations for support and self-help therapy. From minimizing negative influences from the past to using peer counseling effectively, this provides a workbook packed with tips. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Mary Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A., is a distinguished teacher, writer and lecturer from Brattleboro, Vermont. During her own lengthy battle with severe manic depression, she discovered a lack of books and resources to help people suffering from these illnesses.

She is also the author of The Depression Workbook, Healing the Trauma of Abuse, The Loneliness Workbook and coauthor of Fibromyalgia and Mysfascial Pain Syndrome.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1st edition (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879237741
• ISBN-13: 978-1879237742
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #766,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Getting well and staying well is the focus of Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD- author, educator, and mental health advocate. Mary Ellen's work is based on the study of the day-to-day coping and wellness strategies of people who have experienced mental health challenges. It centers on self-help, recovery, and long-term stability. Personally, Mary Ellen has experienced years of mental health challenges and has achieved long-term wellness and stability using these strategies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diagnosed with d/md? Read this book., April 19, 2000

By 

"vaeyle" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability (New Harbinger Workbooks) (Paperback)

I was diagnosed with depression in 1994. All the help that I found was for short-term crisis management of my illness. I struggled for years with long-term management. At last I found this book to help me with long-term management of my illness. It is a wonderful book bursting with helpful information.

74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for manic-depression ever, May 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability (New Harbinger Workbooks) (Paperback)

This is the most important book on depression/bipolar disease the patient and/or family could own. I've read many, and none offer as much understanding, as well as help and guidance, as this one. It is helping me to stay well, live productively, and take much burden off of my family members. I believe it could save my life. Thank you to Mary Ellen Copeland for sharing her life experiences, precious time, and devotion, with those of us who need it.

49 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource With Qualifications, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability (New Harbinger Workbooks) (Paperback)

This book helped me immensely as I was coping with major depression. I couldn't stop crying, feeling sorry for myself and being completely terrified of the total loss of control in my life. The book examines many aspects of wellbeing, and is BEST in providing practical suggestions and solutions while being sensitive to a very diverse audience (uraban/rural/old/young..). however...the book does have a tendency of making you feel too sorry for yourself. I am an adventurous, intelligent, sensitive person, and depression crippled my feelings. The book seems to suggest that "stability" is better than extreme emotions or living with too much adventure. I believe you can radically transform your life - you just need enough motivation to overcome repeated setbacks. Use this book in conjunction with some motivational reading that charges you up. Also, the book spends a lot of time on medication. I decided NOT to use any medication, and managed to restore my serotonin levels by daily exercise and proper nutrition. The book does stress the importance of natural remedies to depression, but seems to suggest medication is an unavoidable necessity. This isn't the case. Read "Prozac Backlash" or "Beyond Prozac" (forget the authors), which discredit this culture of chemical dependency to get better. You CAN get well. Stay focussed, and use the book's suggestions to eliminate triggers. Happy recovery!