Customer Reviews

Psychology Today: Taming Bipolar Disorder (Psychology Today Here to Help)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, I am always on the look-out for books on the subject. I own several, and of them all I can honestly say that "Taming Bipolar Disorder" is the best of the bunch. Not only does it include information on *all* the medications I'm on--some of which are relatively new to the bipolar scene--but it also includes information about the biological underpinnings of the illness, as well as useful information on how to go about living a life constrained by the disorder, and living that life to the fullest. I highly commend Lori Oliwenstein for this work--she's done a magnificent job and given a very thorough overview of the illness in a very upbeat, easy to read format.

This is the most wonderful and informative book on bipolar disorder. Most of the books I have read afterwards just feel like repeats of information. This book opened my eyes to all the many treatments out there for my bipolar disorder. I felt like I knew everything there is to know about my disorder. But I am still reading more books on it just to be sure! If you are looking for just one book that's easy to read and has a wealth of information then you have found it with this book.

I've been trying to learn everything I can about bipolar disorder since I've been diagnosed, and this book was a terrific help. It has information on everything: the biological, the technical, and the emotional aspects of the disorder.

Everything is explained clearly and it's never dry or tedious. I would highly recommend this for people with bipolar AND their friends and families.

Short and sweet: I don't really enjoy reading about Bipolar, because I'd rather just live in my own fantasy world. I picked this book up at a local library for the heck of it and COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! It was amazing what I learned from one book about what I have to deal with on a daily basis. This book is excellent for victims, as well as families! My family knows absolutely NOTHING about BP, but they will after reading this!

I am so glad she wrote this book...it was nice to FINALLY understand what was happening inside me and to know that I'm not the only one in the world experiencing all this.

Very good resource for professionals and patients alike. Clear, not too clinical.

This is an excellect resource for both consumers and friends and family of someone with a bipolar diagnosis. It is by far the best book I've found on the disorder, and has truely enriched my understanding and knowledge of Bipolar disorder. It's intellectual yet accessable and never talks down to the reader. In my experience many biploar books simplify issues and censor information, just as some psychiatrists choose to not disclose important information rather than honoring the patient's ability to weigh the facts/evidence and make their own informed decision on treatment. It does make some recommendations, such as the importance of being medication-compliant and taking responsibility for the undesired effects of the disorder, but I think these are sound suggestions, and well-founded with personal annecdotes (of a great number of people, not just the author- whose father is bipolar) and medical references.

THIS IS A MUST-HAVE BOOK!


This book is both comprehensive and thorough. It's also very reader-friendly, as it augments the text with highlighted boxes. Ms. Oliwenstein employs these eye-catching sidebars to define terminology, offer personal stories and Q&A with established psychiatrists specializing in Bipolar research and treatment.

I honestly cannot think of any aspect that was omitted. Here are some chapter titles: Navigating the Health-Care System, The Bipolar Medicine Chest, The Cycles of Sanity, Stopping the Swing Before It Starts, Beyond Burned Bridges: Fixing the Problems You Create, Lean On Me, In the Workplace, At Home, The Bipolar Child, A Survival Guide for Friends and Family, (and Glossary, Further Reading and Resources). Sensitive issues are addressed, such as bipolar's effects on romantic relationships, medical concerns related to pregnancy, and even how to manage/deal with financial burdens one faces as a consequence of mania. Each of the chapters has numerous sub-headings so it's easy to target your reading to specific areas of interest. All of the 16 chapters (of which the above are a small sample) are organized into 4 Parts, each with a conhesive theme.

One of my greatest discoveries in the book was learning that some frequently prescribed medications interfere with nutrient absorption and specific and important deficiencies may result if not addressed. My Stanford-educated psychiatrist never told me that anticonvulsant medications (Depakote, Lamictal, etc) tend to leach vitamin E out of the body. That's an important bit of information, and something I wouldn't have known otherwise. Also, B vitamins (B-6, B-12, folic acid- a crucial vitmin to help cellular growth, something deminished in bipolar disorder yet greatly important), zinc and copper have been found to have positive results in bipolar patients. Good nutrition is often overlooked in treatment, but pharmaceutical drugs are only one aspect of a complete treatment plan (along with psychotherapy, exercise, sleep, regular routines, stress reduction, etc) and it's important to not lose sight of this fact.


Hope that this discussion has given you a good idea of what you'll find in "Psychology Today: Taming Bipolar Disorder" and obviously I'm pretty excited to recommend this book.

Good luck in your journey and best of health to you!

Throughout the book you will find all kinds of important resources. I have some of the other bipolar books, but this one is a favorite, because it is very comprehensive and not overwhelming. This is the one I pass on to relatives who need an introduction to the disorder.

Informative, easy to understand, and doesn't ramble. I just wish it had more info on hypomania.

For anybody looking to build a beginning foundation of Bipolar knowledge, this book is a must. It covers almost every relevant topic relating to the disorder. It is a great book for Bipolar sufferers as well as anyone around them seeking a deeper understanding. One of my top 5 books.

I purchased four of these books...one for each of our daughters and myself. All four of us are so grateful to have discovered this comprehensive and reader-friendly help source. One of our daughters has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. We've been riding roller-coaster emotions with her. "Taming Bipolar Disorder" reveals the complexities involved with the disease, and presents hope through health resources and even provides a nutritional support section.

I highly recommend this publication to anyone who has or knows/loves someone with, Bipolar Disorder.