Customer Reviews

Manic Depression: How to Live While Loving a Manic Depressive

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a long-needed answer to prayer for the family members and loved ones living with or loving a bipolar sufferer. There are many books for victims of bipolar disorder, but very little material available for the significant others suffering along with them. This book helps loved ones deal with their own doubts and fears, helps them adjust their own thinking and behaviors to keep their equilibrium when the bipolar's world goes into a whirl, and gives valuable concrete suggestions and HOW TO hints for maintaining inner peace while outwardly dealing with the bipolar's behaviors. "It's not your fault and it's not your responsibility" are the most "free-ing" words a loved one can hear, and this book shows you how to accept and live in that freedom while you love your bipolar.

This is an excellent book! It for anybody who has anybody with BiPolar in your life. I myself have the disorder, but the fact is what the people we love go through. It explains alot, and gives help to try in reclaiming yourown inner peace. I know, I have been called a whirlwind myself. We say things we don't mean or even remember and I myself will never know what this actually has done to others. This book is just that for the " others " and was very information and enjoyable reading. I highly recommend this book.

This book is not only an easy read, easy on the eyes, the nerves, and the soul, it provides excellent, how-to information for persons who find themselves involved with a bipolar sufferer. You will find understanding and common sense ideas as well as permission not to be engulfed by the problems of your loved one, but to deal with them realistically, as only one who has done herself can relate. Where was this book years ago?

If you have a manic-depressive anywhere in your life, this book is a must read. It is written from a loving and compassionate woman who was willing to bare her and her mate's souls. Much thanks to Lynn and Bob for their willingness to tell their story. From personal experience, I too know that simply trying to "get along" with a manic-depressive sufferer, and in our case, with alcohol addiction is no easy task. Though their path bumpy, Bob and Lynn are a success story. I believe Lynn's book can give much hope to those who need to know they are not alone. Her tips are invaluable. I want to personally thank both of them for all the tidbits of advice they gave me over the past year relative to understanding manic-depression. Go Lynn!

I found this book to be helpful. Not so much in that it offered any new information, but it did put into words some of the feelings that go along with loving someone with bipolar. That whole am I crazy for staying feeling. I would recommend this book to others more as a validation of your own thoughts and feelings, not so much on tips or suggestions. Again like most books on manic depression it focuses too much on the depression side. While this is helpful there needs to be more written on how to handle and deal with the manic fazes. Overall a good read though.

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, wrecks havoc with not only the life of the sufferer, but also with the family. One of the most difficult decisions a partner can make is to stay with someone who has bipolar disorder despite the mood swings, financial burden, and pain. For those of us who stay in the relationship, MANIC DEPRESSION: HOW TO LIVE WHILE LOVING A MAINIC DEPRESSIVE by Lynn Bradley is a godsend.

I first read this book when a loved one was diagnoses last summer. While I've subsequently read longer, more scholarly works filled with information, it is Bradley's voice I hear in the night when I try to make sense of the insanity that at times rules our lives. A year later, I still smile recalling the story of the man who was appalled to be diagnoses, asking her if she can believed it, describes herself as a manic depressive magnet. If there's someone around with this illness, they find her. Boy, do I know exactly what she means!

Bradley's message to live, not in spite of but with this illness is encouraging. It is possible to create a stable environment for the family. It is possible to get off the emotional roller coaster and live even as the patient continues to cycle. Educational, informative, and filled with hope, MANIC DEPRESSION: HOW TO LIVE WHILE LOVING A MAINIC DEPRESSIVE is a must read. Very highly recommended.

Lynn Bradley is a clear lucid narrator who knows where of she speaks. Get this book if you live with a manic depressive. Excellent reading. Very helpful and highly recommended.

This book starts out with Mrs. Bradley tricking her husband into going into the hospital. Fortunately for her, it worked. He was willing to seek treatment. How he reacted to being tricked wasn't mentioned.
How their children dealt with his illness was skimmed over in one sentence. I'm sure they would have a completely different story, having watched their father verbally attack their mother over the years. I didn't get the feeling that Mrs. Bradley was being honest in that regard.
She did give some helpful tips on how to cope with your own anxiety and/or depression when dealing with these people. There was plenty of humor and irony to go along with the sadness and frustration. That helped me a great deal.
My situation is different in that my mother-in-law is the bi-polar (undiagnosed and untreated). This book outlined her personality almost to a T. It also helped me to understand my father-in-law and why he won't leave her despite her destructive behavior.
This book is a good starting point regardless of the relationship you have with the bi-polar. I would, however, look at other books and resources on this subject to better educate yourself.

****
I enjoyed this book and read it all in one sitting. I have felt so alone loving someone who is bipolar and this book was the first one to put into words many aspects of how this felt. If you have someone close to you with this illness, it can help you to deal with your own emotions and be understanding, yet still practice self-care.

Basically, it is one woman's unique story of her relationship with her bipolar husband. However, there are not a lot of unnecessary details or "story", just anecdotes that are practical to help you see how one woman copes and survives. I found this immensely helpful personally.

It is a short book (less than 150 pages) and worth the price.
****

She is a nutcase married to a nutcase. She is a co dependant door mat making her life revolve around her husband. I am married to a bipolar person but I will not be verbally abused nor will I walk and egg shells my whole life. Marriage is a compromise between two people and her husband holds the upper hand in that marriage. I realize that bi-polar people are sick HOWEVER that does not mean that the spouse, friend or relative has to subject themselves to inappropriate behavior and insults.

If you subsitute BiPolar for Abusive in the title would you still hold her opinions as gospel? I hope the answer is no. All she tells you about is how to pray and how to tip toe around your own house so that not to upset the bipolar in your life.

The book has few redeemable qualities, she explains bipolar as it relates to her husband (however, she thinks she is an experet on Manic/Depression because she is married to one! I married a rocket scientist does that make me one too?)

I don't know what books the other reviewers read but in my opinion save your money.