Customer Reviews

Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better: The Epidemic of Undiagnosed Bipolar Disorders

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Anyone who thinks they're suffering from depression, ADHD or bipolar issues would do well to read this book. While not a substitute for competent counseling and appropriate drug intervention, this book will give you more than a few clues about how to self diagnose yourself and question the treatments that pyschiatrists might prescribe for your condition. Bartos documents through patient histories how common misdiagnosis occurs because of overlapping symptoms of , say, substance abuse and bipolar conditions or bipolar and depression. The reader who sees his symptoms described as bipolar but finds his psychiatrist treating him for depression will quickly see why his condition is not improving. This book is written for the lay person and is an easy and enjoyable read. Of course, if your pyschiatrist tries to intimidate you with his "years of experience and professional expertise" rather than seriously address any issues raised by your careful reading of this book, you might want to consider moving on to a another shrink.

This book is a quick, easy, and entertaining read. It is not the usual bipolar book since it takes a unique view as to how bipolar disorders can masquerade as other common disorders. Also, Bartos takes on the psychiatric establishment for allowing this confusion to exist for reasons that include complacency, dogma, and at times, greed. I think this book will raise some hackles.

I read this book from cover to cover without stopping. It covers so much of what is really happening to people and they don't know why. This book tells you what can be wrong and what to do about it. I find I reread many chapters often and it is so very helpful. Easy to read, easy to follow, easy to understand. A great help.

This book has been an eye opener on the topic of undiagnosed bipolar disorder. A family member has had alcoholism for over 25 years and it gives me new hope to think this disease is not so one-sided. There is an answer to every problem and I feel this is a new direction to explore. It is evident that Dr. Bartos knows his "stuff" and has his patient's best interest at heart. Highly recommended.

I found this book easy to read and understand. My sister has had problems with depression for years, and after I suggested she read it, she was able to get the help she needed after unseccessful attempts in the past. It helps to be well informed and know what questions to ask and what info to share if your doc doesn't ask! My sister finally got the correct diagnosis and treatment.

This book provides useful information for anyone who cares about someone they know who may have Bipolar Depression. It is also a great resource for clinicians working with these patients. A must read.

I have alot of problems with depression and drinking. My doctor gave me 3 different antidepressants and they all made me worse. This is the first book I ever saw that explains what is really going on. Everyone thinks that it's my problem. No one has really figured out what is going on with me until now. At least I have some hope.

Why isnt your depression getting better?? It's due to un-carefully made psychiatric diagnoses. This book objectively explores Bi-polar, its sub-types, and its chronic mis-diagnosis. The author compares aspects of Depression, Borderline, and other disorders to subtypes of bi-polar d/o. He does this though exploring real cases conceptualized in his practice. He explores a topic that tends to be monotonous reading by means of engaging story-telling.
Upon completion of the book, its blatantly obvious the tragic effects such a mis-diagnosis can have on a persons life; as well has how common and easy it is to misdiagnose a sub-type of Bi-Polar D/O as something else. It was quite refreshing to hear such thoughtful conceptualization of diagnosis. Often times, psychiatrists do not look at their cases with such thorough, well-thought out scrutiny. He makes these aspects easy to understand, making innovative metaphors such as the chapter on,"kindling."¨
This book is a pleasure to read. Anyone in mental health, with a mental health disorder, or laments person alike will find this book informative, yet enjoyable to read. One of the most striking philosophies comes towards the end of the book in Chapter 18, "to love and work." Learning and accepting that you need to put your oxygen mask on first is sure to leave you thinking.
In the forward, he thanks his mother for the title-which he writes is far more interesting one than he originally gave. Im left very curious as to what the original one was.:-)

A close friend of mine whose father is bipolar recommended that I read this book since I had so little knowledge on the disorder. This book was incredible. I found it to be very easy to read. It gave some good clues in laymen terms about what questions to ask about the disorder and it helped me understand it a little more.

Though this book contains some provocative thoughts about bipolar depression, it is poorly organized and badly written -- as if no editor had ever seen it. Though many cases are mentioned, none are discussed in depth or truly "come alive." At least one antidepressant is misspelled. Though a small point, it makes me suspect there are more important errors I'm not knowledgable enough to detect. Skip this one.