Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability (Paperback)

by Julie A Fast (Author), John Preston (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
MANAGE YOUR MOODS. IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS. RECLAIM YOUR LIFE. Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are sent home with the name of a doctor and prescription drugs. But few are able to manage their often out-of-control emotions with medication alone. Written by Julie A. Fast, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age thirty-one, and bipolar disorder specialist John Preston, PsyD, TAKE CHARGE OF BIPOLAR DISORDER offers a unique, personalized approach that teaches people with bipolar disorder and their loved ones to manage the illness and achieve daily stability. Fast and Preston's groundbreaking program combines medication and supplements, lifestyle changes, behavior modifications, and other indispensable management tools. Readers will learn how to: Understand the behaviors caused by bipolar disorder Work with their doctors to find the right medications Develop a bipolar-friendly diet and exercise program Recognize the triggers and signs of major bipolar disorder symptoms to stop the mood swings before they go too far.

About the Author
JULIE A. FAST is founder of Bipolar Happens, an internationally popular online resource for people with bipolar disorder that advocates treating the illness using both mainstream and proven comprehensive alternative therapies. Fast is a columnist for BP magazine and is the author, along with John Preston, PsyD, of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. She herself was diagnosed with the disorder at young age. To learn more about Julie Fast, please visit her web site.

JOHN PRESTON, PSYD, ABPP is a faculty member of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Sacramento Campus. He has written eleven books on a variety of health topics. His book You Can Beat Depression, is endorsed by the National Mental Health Association as well as the chapter "Drugs in Psychiatry" in the Encyclopedia Americana. Preston is the recipient of the Mental Health Association's President's Award and is a national speaker and sought-after authority in the field of bipolar disorder.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Warner Wellness (September 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446697613
• ISBN-13: 978-0446697613
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #11 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Nervous System
  #12 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Manic Depression
  #27 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Depression

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A plan for surviving and THRIVING , September 27, 2006

By	Elaura Renie (97201) - See all my reviews

I was one of the lucky people who read an advance copy...and I was determined to be the first person to reveiw this amazing, life saving book on Amazon. Readers of Fast's and Preston's other book on Bipolar disorder (loving someone with bipolar) will be thrilled to finally get a detailed, step-by-step, super-in-depth plan that gently guides them to health. And for family members, this book will save relationships and marriages. The two things about this book that set it apart from anything else on the market that deals with bipolar disorder are 1)BIPOLAR CONVERSATIONS -- example: how do you talk to your teenage daughter/ mother/ spouse when they she's ready to kill herself, or manic, or sexually out of control? Fast and Preston, through their vast experiences and decades of dealing with this illness, show us what conversations work, and also HOW NOT to deal with those we love... and 2) sidebar stories from both bipolar patients and family members who have survived the devastating effects of this illness. They tell you what worked for them, where they were in their lives when they made the choice to take charge and get well. Especially powerful was the story written by Fast's brother. Actually, I found myself skipping ahead through the book and reading all the stories of the people who have this illness -- as well as the family member stories. Of course, I went back and read the whole book cover to cover. BUY THIS BOOK.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cut through the Theory and Go to the Heart of What Works, October 7, 2006

By	Rose Berge "Rose Bergen" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Julie Fast's unique perspective on bi-polar disorder comes from personal experience. In dealing with her own bi-polar disorder, she has personally had to do the challenging work to carve her own path through so she could live a productive life. Reading this book is a short-cut. It cuts through all the theory and goes to the heart of what actually works. If you need real assistance in dealing with the disorder yourself or if you need to know how to deal with a loved one who has bi-polar disorder, this book sends you life line. It lays out a step by step, practical approach that you can use as a handbook to guide you as you carve your own path through your individual challenge with bi-polar disorder.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Easy to Read and Understand, January 11, 2007

By	D. Towers - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a a wonderful, easy to understand book. I definately recommend it to anyone with Bipolar Disorder, and to anyone with a Bipolar person in their lives. This book discusses the needs of the person with bipolar disorder as well as the needs of family members, friends, and health care professionals.

My brother has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and while I knew basically what that meant, I needed to know more to understand what was happening to him. It is written for the person with Bipolar, with notes for family and friends on how to help him/her. I have just sent the book to my brother knowing that when he reads it, it will help him tremendously. It will help him understand what is happening and will teach him what to do when the mood changes begin. Like the book says on the cover - it will help him (and us) manage his illness so he can live a more stable life. It will help him understand why his brain is behaving the way it is and is written so positively that he should not feel scared or overwhelmed when he reads it. AND it teaches us how to respond to his mood changes which is very important.