Customer Reviews

Win the Battle: The 3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer Depression and Bipolar Disorder

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found this book misleading, it makes the reader believe that Bipolar Disorder is easy to cure if you follow a few simple steps. For those of us, who have close relatives who suffer the disease and have to endure it, this book is an insult. Where is the maelstrom where the whole family is thrown during the manic pahses? Where is the dispair of the patient during the depressive periods? Where is the fight to convince the patient, who is either a god or scum, to seek help? There is nothing "romantic" in this illness, bad wheather brings depression, good whether brings mania, with short intervals in between. And the solution is not around the corner for everyone.

This comment is also a criticism to the lack of responsibility of the editors, who chose to publish it.

While the 3-step formula is an invaluable tool outlining the stages one needs to go through to find a successful treatment, I especially enjoyed the last five chapters of the book.

One chapter describes the truth about LABELS, and why we should not fear or be ashamed of a diagnosis of mental illness (this chapter totally changed my views about being bipolar). Another chapter uses a case example to explain how we develop "MASKS" to hide our symptoms which, in turn, confuse our family and friends when trying to make them understand our pain and suffering (every patient should make their supporters read this chapter). And there is a fantastic chapter about SUICIDE that is a "must read" for every family member who deals with this issue. Without a doubt, most people who read this will walk away with a whole new understanding of why many patients (not all) with depression or manic-depression contemplate, attempt or commit suicide.

This book changed my perspective about my own mental illness. I'm not only more comfortable with it now, I also know what I need to do to get well. I totally recommend this book to anyone with depression or manic-depression.

This book really made me realize that my symptoms and behavior related to my depression are not my fault. It also made me see that I am following the correct path toward getting well, and that is comforting. Plus, it taught me that it may not be easy, but finding a solution is possible, and you don't have to be a doctor to understand this illness.

I can't believe anyone would write anything negative about this book because it brought me such hope for my future. Don't listen to anyone who is so pessimistic about life that they can't appreciate the value of a simple, yet powerful, message of hope. This Is A Great Book!

Frankly, I am surprised by the number of favorable reviews already submitted here! The content is so generic/inspirational, Olson could easily have done a global "search and replace" and written about a "3-Step Lifesaving Formula to Conquer Game Show Anxiety" or any other perceived challenge. I found this book incredibly simplistic and repetitive, very disappointing, and in general, poorly written. For anyone who has done any reading at all about bipolar disorder, there is nothing remotely new here.

Written by a guy who obviously knows what it means to be depressed, this book takes the almost overwhelming concept of "How To Beat Depression & Bipolar Disorder" and spells it out in the easiest of terms. Does it mean you will get better next week just by reading it? No. But it teaches the reader what he needs to be doing to get better. And even more, it teaches why there is hope for ending your suffering.

This is the first book recommended to me by my support group. Over several months, I read the book at least nine times. Today, I have a medication that relieves me of my symptoms. What more can I say. If you suffer, read this book.

I first learned about this book in a support group at McLean Hospital. It was recommended to me by the facilitator because my depression was deepening and I was losing hope that I would ever get better. I was even thinking about suicide. I decided to get the book because I learned that Doctor Phillip Isenberg from that hospital wrote the Foreword for it. I also learned that authors Doctor Demitri Papolos and Doctor Donald Klein recommend it as well. I am so grateful that my support group facilitator brought this book to my attention. People say the author's formula is simple, but that is why I love it. It is the simplicity of it that keeps me going. When I'm really depressed, I can't deal with anything complicated. That's what depression does to me. I find it hard to think straight. The author's easy steps keep me focused on everything I need to do. I usually can't focus on much else. Mostly, however, this book has given me hope. It is a book that I read every time I feel I can't face another day. Inspiration and hope is what keeps patients like me going when nothing else seems to be working. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who is depressed. It might not change your life overnight, but it has kept me alive during my most difficult times.

This book is helpful if you're at the end of your rope. Basically, it instructs you not to give up, and tells you how the author eventually became cured through perseverence. It does not give you practical ways to overcome your depression, ie cognitive therapy or other kinds of self help. It motivates you to seek help and try every possible way to get better-- different doctors, medications, etc.

The author and I agree philosophically that moderate to severe depression or bipolar disorder is probably best treated with medication. However, the lack of solid information about psychotherapy in this book is something I don't agree with. And the quality of writing isn't that great, either. Nonetheless, the author has a somewhat unique approach to treating mental illness that is worth hearing. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

The author, having conquered his fight against his own severely debilitating bi-polar illness, tries to offer to other sufferers his "recipe for success". Intentionally written in very simplistic prose, the formula for success is also overly simplistic. He did touch upon one interesting concept: how oftentimes a depressed person wears a "mask" and one's appearance belies what's going on inside one's mind leading to lack of or misdiagnosis. The author is repetative and comes off as a sort of "born again" bi-polar. Definitely not a book for a thinker (bi-polar or not).

The author states, at the beginning of Part II, that he purposely wrote this book so it is easy-to-read for those of us dealing with depressive symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, & difficulty concentrating. He's right. I, personally, could not get through some of the more difficult and complex books on this subject. It takes a skilled & confident writer to refrain from using the fancy prose & medical jargon, and to remain focused on the simplest way to present his message and the lessons he has to teach. Olson brilliantly succeeded in this regard.

While some may accuse Olson as being repetitive of some lessons, the best teachers know that "repetition is the mother of all learning." Readers of "Win The Battle" will not walk away confused as to what they need to do to get better. If you want a book that requires great intellectual thought, buy something else. If you want a book that will give you straightforward guidance (from experience not theory) and one powerful message of hope, read this one. (It was the first book recommended to me when I joined my support group.)