Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (Paperback)

~ Dr. Francis Mark Mondimore MD (Author) "BIPOLAR DISORDER IS A MOOD DISORDER, ONE OF SEVERAL EMOTIONAL disorders whose main symptom is an abnormality of mood..." (more)
Key Phrases: women with bipolar disorder, bipolar gene, seasonal mood changes, New York, Emil Kraepelin, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

paper 0-8018-6118-7 An exhaustive, scientific, yet compassionate assist for sufferers of ``the chameleon of psychiatric disorders'' and their families. Psychiatrist Mondimore (Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) looks first at the symptoms and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or manic-depression: the disease wears many masks that can make diagnosis difficult. Mondimore concedes that at present psychiatrists are generally working with the same diagnostic tools that were used in the 19th century: their eyes and ears. He goes on to discuss treatment. Medications are first and foremostprimarily mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. He follows with a thoughtful considerations of electroconvulsive therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy. Mondimore is especially clear on medication side effects (and how to avoid them), how various treatments have been used and misused, and what a reasonable standard should be. In part three, Mondimore considers how bipolar disorder affects children, adolescents, and women; and how it is affected by alcoholism and drug abuse, seasonal affective disorder and chronobiology, genetics, and other medical conditions such as stroke and hormonal problems. In part four, Mondimore offers real, detailed help for living with the disease. The key is to recognize that bipolar disease is relentless and that the way to keep it at bay is for the patient to be relentless, tooabout getting needed treatment and sticking to it''. Illustrative case studies here make it clear this can be done, but it isn't easy. An absolute gold mine, then, for those with the disorder and their families: thorough, candid, and up-to-date advice, full of new possibilities for help. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Exhaustive, scientific, yet compassionate... An absolute gold mine for those with the disorder and their families: thorough, candid, and up-to-date advice, full of new possibilities for help." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A valuable educational resource for individuals with bipolar disorder and the people who care about them. I highly recommend it for patients and their family members and friends as an enlightened, pragmatic, and empathic resource for this very complex and challenging illness." -- Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

"An invaluable tool for patients and families living with bipolar disorder. The author incorporates real life stories, expert advice, symptoms and diagnosis, modern treatment options, and resources to help make living with this disorder tolerable. Most importantly, the concepts and information presented in this book are practical." -- Doody's 3-Star Review

"A concise guide to bipolar disorders. Written in a nontechnical jargon, this guide is ideal for patients and their families who wish to gain an understanding of bipolar disorders... he also offers advice on how to live with the disorder, and how not to become its victim." -- Rochelle Caviness, Large Print Reviews

"An excellent guide to both counseling and drug options." -- Library Bookwatch

"The marvel of this book is its ability to present information in a detailed, understandable manner, while avoiding pitfalls of being overly weighted in professional jargon, or skimpy in specific neurological and behavioral detail." -- Susan McCabe, Journal of Psychosomatic Research

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (May 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801861187
• ISBN-13: 978-0801861185
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #594,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

174 of 178 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for patient and family, February 23, 2000

By A Customer

As a registered nurse and mother of an adult son newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I feel fortunate to have found this book quickly. The information is comprehensive and well organized. The book contains appropriately detailed sections dealing with symptoms/syndromes/diagnosis, treatment, variations/causes/connections, and living with the disorder or with one who has the disorder. As a professional, I found the content sufficiently technical while still appropriate for someone with no medical background. Dr. Mondimore has also provided many other resources including suggested reading, support and advocacy organizations and appropriate Internet sites. The chapter notes will lead you to even more information from periodicals, textbooks and other publications. An index is also included for quick reference within the book.

The chapters on preparation for emergencies and on the role of the family has been especially helpful to my daughter-in-law and me. Unfortunately, my son made a serious suicide attempt several weeks ago. Thankfully, he was not successful and has been in intensive therapy since that time. He is improving with medication adjustment and daily therapy. The whole family is learning about bipolar disorder, previously unrecognized signs and symptoms, and the link to alcohol abuse, unipolar depression and AD(H)D that is present in other family members. As we learn to deal with the diagnosis and it's impact on my son, his wife and children and the rest of us, I plan to buy more copies of this book to share with the family. I have always believed that knowledge is power and this book has assisted me in my quest to learn about bipolar disorder. Thank you Dr. Mondimore!

95 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, family, friends, January 15, 2000

By	Karen Hill "Earth, book, & music lover" (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago. I wish that I would have had this book then instead of relying only on the internet for information. I had the mistaken impression that once my medication was 'balanced out', my life would become 'normal'. Thanks to this book, I now understand what I am up against and that this rollercoaster ride may never stop. It is written so that anyone can understand it. It is very thorough and written with compassion. For anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder and their family and friends, this is an excellent resource to start with. I highly recommend it. It may even save your life.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful for patients and family, December 22, 1999

By	"psgg" (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

As a person with bipolar disorder, I was looking for a book that I could give to members of my family so they could understand the illness and (its many variations) better. I also didn't want to scare them even though this is a scary illness. I found this book to be clearly written for people who do not have a medical background. It spelled issues out in an easy and understandable format with excellent examples and explanations. I have read many books on this illness looking for something to give my family, this is the book I will be giving them. I would recommend this book if you, a family member or friends suffers from this illness