Description
Book SynopsisOffers a warm and often humorous guide for coping with bipolar loved ones, colleagues, and friendsFeatures a wealth of helpful strategies and coping mechanisms that can be put into action immediatelyIncludes guidance on the best options for treatment, including discussion of when is medication a good idea and when isn't it.
Trade ReviewMental health columnist Lowe and Cohen (psychiatry, Harvard Univ.) team up to address the needs and concerns of those who are involved with someone who has bipolar disorder. They use nontechnical language to describe all aspects of diagnosis, treatment options, and day-to-day issues. Numerous vignettes of couples, told from the nonbipolar partner's point of view, personalize the narrative and also make clear how varied the symptoms, whether behavioral or emotional, can be. Specific advice is offered on communicating with family, friends, and work colleagues; developing a professional and nonprofessional support system; and navigating the impact of this disease on work and personal life. There is also an extensive reading list appended, and resources appropriate to the topic at hand are integrated into the text.
Verdict: This offers practical help to those living with or related to a person who is or might be suffering from bipolar disorder. A guide on the nitty-gritty details of managing a relationship and a life, with a hefty dose of encouragement thrown in, this has lots of excellent resources for all aspects of diagnosis, treatment, communication, and coping.—Paula McMillen, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas (
Library Journal, January 29, 2010)
Table of ContentsPreface ix
Introduction xiii
Part One Understanding Bipolar Disorder 1
1 What Is (and Isn’t) Bipolar Disorder? 3
2 A Brief, Colorful History (and Some Science) of Bipolar Disorder 19
3 Getting an Accurate Diagnosis 35
4 Understanding Medication 53
5 Understanding Psychosocial Therapies and Medical Treatment Options 71
Part Two Living with Your Partner 87
6 Building a Support Team 89
7 Bipolar Disorders and the Workplace 107
8 Communication and Coping Skills 127
9 Coping with Negative and Dangerous Behaviors 147
10 Sex, Intimacy, and Relationship Issues 161
11 Suicide Attempts, Hospitalization, and Commitment 177
12 Family Matters 193
Appendix: Excerpts from the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar Disorder 209
Notes 233
Resources 237
About the Authors 245
Index 247
