Customer Reviews

The Up And Down Life: The Truth About Bipolar Disorder--the Good, the Bad, and the Funny (Lynn Sonberg Books)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is outstanding. It was the most helpful book on the topic of bipolar I have ever read. My husband has suffered for 18 years with the BP, and finally, a book that makes sense to us! This author really tells it like it is, and offers tons of hope, and ideas that make sense. The humor is awesome, we loved the book. Very, very helpful. A must read for anyone dealing with BP-whether patient or caregiver. My husband read the book and kept smiling and saying, this book sounds exactly like me, and that helped him know he is not alone, which is a feeling he deals with all the time with BP. Truly, the best book I have ever read on bipolar disorder.

Best Bipolar book I've read. Paul Jones is so REAL. I laughed out laughed many, many times because of how true it is that he says. He is able to put into words the things that I can't sort out in my head. I try to explain to friends and family how things work differently in my head, or what is going on at different times and now i've been able to tell them! My sister and I are both bipolar and it was fun to both read this and then laugh about it. For those who are not bipolar it would be harder to read - I think - but still good to read. Please read it if you are OR AREN'T bipolar. This book will help. There are a handful of 'manic' novels out there that I picked up, but couldn't read. I had an episode or a panic attack whenever I read about their crazy life (like the one I'm already living). Paul Jones' book is much more low key. He offers a lot more tips than life stories - although he does share those as well. He knows how to taylor it with information, humor and stories. Get it. Just start it like I did and you'll be hooked. Hooked in a good way.
The other book I would recommend is "loving someone with bipolar disorder" by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston, PSY.D.

Paul Jones strikes an excellent balance of medical information and true life experiences. "The Up and Down Life" is straight talk about discerning choices bipolars need to make and offers examples of the pitfalls to watch out for. It's encouraging, eye-opening, inspiring.

If you are bipolar or suspect you might be, or if you live with someone that fits the bipolar "profile"; then reading this book will be a great help. I know it helped me. I have spent most of my life having mixed feelings about the condition. Sometimes I'd be convinced that I had the disorder; other times, I laughed at the notion. It's so typical of the bipolar person to be in denial when everything is going okay. And there are plenty of times when you think all is well... but it doesn't last for too long. Eventually I would go from feeling okay to feeling totally awesome! Now I realize those were the times to be most alert because inevitably they would be followed by horrible downs. So yeah, it is an up and down life. I finally went to a qualified physician who confirmed my suspicions, and also prescribed the combination of meds that has made the difference. No, I am not "cured". But I'm in better shape than I ever was. Now I understand what some of the stuff in my past was all about. Too bad it took me so long to admit it to myself. The book was the eye-opener I needed to point me in the right direction. I know a lot of people hate taking medications for psycho-emotional problems; they prefer to go to counseling or tough it out. But for the bipolar person there's just as much need for medication as for the diabetic. And unfortunately suffering from bipolar disorder can also be a matter of life and death.

On the eve of my 41st birthday I was finally given the correct diagnosis--Bipolar II. I had been in and out of psychiatrist offices for 20 years! This was the first book I read on the topic. Not only did I laugh and cry, but I related on so many subtle levels. He really hits the nail on the head as far as what it is like and how to get on with your life. I know that I will have to be medications for the rest of my life, it will save my life. I am forever thankful that Paul wrote this book with humor and integrity. My husband is reading it now to learn more about me and the illness. But remember, bipolar is not a death sentence. It is actually the answer to so many questions. I would give this book 10 stars if given the option.

as a register nurse, i found this book to be very informative and not too "medically speaking" overwhelming. As a young women who has had to fight her own demons, it was truly heartfelt and eye opening. mr jones does an amazing job helping outsiders see the true depth of depression and the soaring highs of mania. he is truly a stright shooter, not making excuse or placing blame on past actions, he has been through the battle of his life and emerged on the other side a true hero of this disorder. He offers many different tools and ideas to help those who are just discovering there illness to those who have been dealing with it for years. it is also a wonderful tool for family member, Paul takes family and friends by the hand and teaches them the best way to treat your love one dealing with this disease. if you think that anyone you care about is struggling with this disorder, this is the book to buy.

This book was helpful to me after one of my children received the diagnosis of being bipolar. I didn't want all the medical details, just an account of how this might affect everyday life, and how to get on the right track with doctors and medication. This book was exactly what I needed to help me understand. I enjoyed the humorous take on some aspects of Paul's life, and appreciated his describing even the more serious and dangerous aspects of this condition. I recommend to anyone newly diagnosed, and to their family members as well.

I read this book and it was like watching a movie of my life.I am bipolar as well as Paul is.I thought I was the only one like this.Nobody in my family or freinds understood it.I was so happy to find out I was not alone in my struggles.Most books just tell you what the symptoms are.This book tells you what it is really like from someone who lives with it.I recommend it for anyone that is bipolar or is close to someone with this illness.It will help you to understand somewhat of what they are dealing with and how you can help and support them.People without the illness are quick to dismiss it as real.

Because this is a personal experience and he is not a doctor, Bipolor Boy is thankfully able to bulldoze pages of medical information. There are plenty of books full of medical info but not near enough accounts like this one. This has humor but it is also straightforward. Encourages consumers to take responsibility for living a balanced life with this disorder. Refreshing.

I was just dx as Mixed Bipolar in 6-08. I have ordered at least a thousand books (purchased a lot----spending $$$ is part of the disorder---but I rationalize that by telling me it's to HELP ME!!!)

This is the only book I ACTUALLY reserved and cked out of my local library!!! It's almost overdue. But I will finish it tonight. I am going to his website BipolarBoy.com in about 5 mins!!!!

I love his book.It's like having another "ME" to chat with. I also love his statement on the psychotherapy gig. My shrink (has a cool accent from Bosnia) at each monthly visit says "You do have a psychotherapist don't you?" I figure if she can't even remember the woman across the hall from her....what's up? Plus I have read all about Cognitive Therapy til I am purple in the face. Yrs ago post divorce (seems like another life) I saw a psychologist that sat there and just blabbed the "so how are you feeling junk." So I might go with a few more blabs with the talk therapy and then just keep reading great books like Mr.Jones' and try to stay with my neat psychiatrist. She told me most people get wrongly diagnosed 10 yrs and see at least 4 docs before the correct diagnosis is made. I nearly fell off the chair. She was on the money.Pun is intended too by the way! I always thought I was unipolar and when I felt good that was just how all people who were not depressed felt 24/7. My internist never found a SSRI or the latest flavs of the day Cymbalta -nothing worked. My shrink says "that's because you are not unipolar, you are MIXED bipolar." I had NEVER heard of any type of Bipolar except the classic- manic depressive we have all heard of. I was shocked to learn Type II has a higher suicide rate than the old fashioned type I. Anyway, it's apparent my pressured speech and flight of ideas have taken me off this man's great work. I would recommend this book to everyone in the world. Even people who are not interested in mental illness. It's a great book. So down to earth. I am an RN and I found it so much more entertaining and helpful than any of the heaps of articles, purchased books I have recently read. With 4 y/o boy twins.and a 6 yr old trying to burn my books and computer for "mommy are you going to stop reading?". OK. I will give this man's book a million bright stars that I will remove from the pretty MN sky tonight. JJJ.