Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families

by Francis Mark Mondimore MD

The vital resource for people with bipolar disorder and their loved ones, completely updated. Compassionate and comprehensive, Dr. Francis Mondimore's pathbreaking guide has helped thousands of people and their loved ones cope with bipolar disorder. Now in its third edition, Bipolar Disorder has been thoroughly updated with new information about the causes of the disorder, tools for diagnosis, and advances in treatment. Dr. Mondimore surveys new medications for treating bipolar disorder, including asenapine, iloperidone, paliperidone, lurasidone, and oxcarbazepine, exploring the benefits and potential side effects of each. He also reviews the scientific studies that back up claims for recommended nutritional supplements, such as omega-3s and NAC―and tells you which ones to leave on the shelf. Dr. Mondimore discusses recent changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and reviews the exciting new findings of the largest multicenter evaluation of best-treatment practices for bipolar disorder ever carried out, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). He describes how these findings, gleaned from the treatment experiences of thousands of patients, will improve treatment decisions. With insight and sensitivity, Dr. Mondimore makes complex medical concepts easy to understand and describes what it is like for people to live with bipolar disorder. He recommends changes to daily routines and lifestyle that will improve the quality of life for patients and offers expert advice on planning for emergencies and identifying when and how to seek help. Throughout the book, Dr. Mondimore focuses on the importance of building a support system for everyone affected by this unpredictable illness.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Medical, Health, Mental Illness

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2014

Reviews

[Hamed Manoochehri · Rating 5 out of 5]

فقط قسمتی که به «خلاقیت» پرداخته بود یه مقدار جای بحث داره وگرنه بی نقص بود.

[Dream.M · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب برای هرکسی هستش که به نحوی با اختلال دوقطبی/بایپولار درگیره_ چه خودش و چه یکی از نزدیکانش.
چرا اغلب ما وقتی عزیز‌مون مبتلا به بیماری سختی  مثل سرطان میشه، میریم درموردش سرچ میکنیم، خودمون رو به آب و آتیش میزنیم تا ببینیم چطور بهش کمک کنیم و چجوری بهش روحیه بدیم، چجوری رفتار کنیم باهاش، ولی درمورد اختلال های روانی اولین کاری که میکنیم انکار و تقلیل درد طرف مقابله؟
چرا اغلب ما فکر می‌کنیم وقتی کسی میگه بایپولاره، یعنی دیوانه است یا دنبال جلب توجهه و داره اغراق  میکنه؟
چرا از لفظ "دوقطبی" بعنوان فحش و توهین استفاده میکنیم؟ چرا به هرکسی که رفتارهای ضداجتماعی داره میگیم دوقطبی؟
خیلی دلم میخواد درمورد این مسائل حرف بزنم.
ولی خب فعلا همینقدر که اگه توی نزدیکان تون کسی با بایپولار درگیره، این کتاب رو گوش کنید تا درموردش آگاه بشید. اگه هم فرصت ندارید یا هرجی، #خلاصه هایی که گذاشتم تو چنل تقریبا جوابگو هستن.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comprehensive book is one of the best books I have read on Bipolar Disorder. In it's simplistic fashion the patient as well as a loved one can grasp the struggles and challenges that someone afflicted with disorder must endure.

It provides the loved ones with the scientific knowledge that this is not merely a figment of one's imagination and that the disorder is indeed a brain disorder. Dr. Mondimore makes that quite clear in this book. This book I have used for myself since I am one of the lucky winners of having this disorder and this book has provided my friends and family a better understanding into my world. It provided me with answers to the feelings and behaviors that seem elusive to me for years and now it is so crystal clear.

I would highly recommend this text to any person or loved one who are trying to educate themselves to assist themselves in their new diagnosis or give family members the insight they have always needed.

[Christina Rause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book and then went back to take notes on the parts in which I was most interested. The information is solid, comprehensive, and easy to read. I especially liked the sections on Living With BPD and Biology of BPD. The reference section and suggested readings had some great studies to look up and I'm definitely reading a few of those books. As someone who lives with BPD2, this book helped me understand the condition better and gave me a jumping off point for further research. Highly recommend.

[Review MM Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm fresh off a three month stay on a psych ward for Bipolar 1 and have decided to educated myself about my illness. This book was invaluable in helping me accept the diagnosis, the lingering effects of psychotic mania having taken a toll on my critical thinking skills.

There are useful chapters on medication and lifestyle, and the main focus of the book is an overview of all things bipolar from the ancient Greeks to modern advances in medicine. It covers symptoms and diagnosis, and comorbidities like substance abuse and SAD.

I'd recommend the book to anyone with bipolar but it would be especially useful for Americans as there were several sections that referred to the US healthcare system.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for those suffering from bipolar disorder. Everything is covered from treatment to causes. Must read.

[Carly Germann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written

Easy to read, informative, I liked his tone and the subtle humor found here and there. I've had bipolar for 6 years and have read quite a bit on it but I still found this book really interesting and I learned a lot.

[Olivia Seward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this play about us????

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for anyone who has been diagnosed with bipolar and for their family and loved ones to understand the diagnosis and treatment options. Very accessible and hopeful.

[FAIZAN KHAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book, I had little knowledge of the subject. For starters, I'm grateful I read this book. This is a very well-written and useful book for those who suspect they have bipolar, their family members, or those who have been diagnosed and want to boost their self-efficacy and empowerment in their treatment. It gives intriguing and in-depth medical information that is broken down to be read by pros and the author made this complex subject easy to understand even for individuals who are not from a medical background.

It provides knowledge, experiences, and compassion to those dealing with the condition as well as those who care for them. Well written by an expert in the field with one-on-one experience who knows the value of medication (also Johns Hopkins has other useful resources on the subject) strongly recommended.

Everyone has a responsibility to learn more about the issue. Learn to dislike the condition rather than the person. There's hope. The future appears to be promising. May God heal every soul and body.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written, and easily read book. I'm reading it for school, but imaginge it would be helpful for anyone interested in this topic. It has good first hand accounts of dealing with bipoal disorder. And the author recommends a well rounded approach to treating it, from pharmaceuticals, light therapy, talk therapy, and even nutritional recommendations.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a family member who’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I’ve been wanting to read/learn more about it for a long time.

I found the book informative and digestible. It catalyzed some constructive conversations with my family. For anyone with family diagnosed or experiencing bipolar disorder, I recommend it. It is a great reference, and I will be getting my own copy.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book! I've actually given copies to friends and family to help them understand my daughter's illness. It is well organized and clearly written. A great introduction to the illness, but still offering enough detail and useful information.

[Mathilda Craft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative and not as intimidating as I thought it would be at first. The topic is fascinating, but the continual text is a snooze. I'm having a hard time finishing this book.

[Tim Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well laid out, organized, thorough explanation and advice laden work on, at that time of publishing, emerging diagnosis also referred to as manic depression.

He covers nature, nurture, chemical brain makeups, trauma, abuse, addition all as factors in creating more extreme mood experiences.

A reported expert on this subject and veteran psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins, the author seemed to be a good place to start to learn of not just this medical condition but also on the general subject of mood fluctuations for anyone.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very professional review of Bipolar Disorder - symptoms of various forms (BPD 1 & 2, etc.), clinical and pharmaceutical treatments, lifestyle impacts, etc. The doctor's approach very clearly translated BPD affects and conditions in an easy-to-understand format. Even the history of electro-shock therapies and pharmaceutical treatment was well-explained for those living with BPD and their families. This provides very helpful information for patients and families.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent resource on Bipolar Disorder for those afflicted and their family and support groups. An excellent complement to The BiPolar Disorder Survival Guide by David Miklowitz. I would highly recommend reading both of these books if you have an interest in this subject.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource book on bipolar disorder from a Johns Hopkins physician. Described bipolar in scientific detail but in a VERY relatable manner. Helped me to understand the impact of the disease on those affected by it.

[Mary Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear to read- several chapters on medications and approaches. Information for patient, family and friends.

[Sud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for those who are suffering from this challenging disease and their family members to understand the issue and treat the sufferer in the right way.

[Tamara Covacevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear scientific information for a misunderstood illness

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better resources I've run across addressing support and advocacy for a friend or family member with bipolar disorder.

[Chanelle Emond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational and helpful

[Haßan Schehata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and clear informations about the disorder to every one even those who are outside the medical field

[Mingying · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts are useful as the guide to family members of beloved ones with bipolar disorder. I recommend reading the last several chapters.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book works really well as an introduction to bipolar disorder, whether you have it or not. Very comprehensive and clear.

[Avery Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fancy fantastical education, educational read for anyone who wants to learn more about bipolar disorder, and how is best treated in all the things they now know about it

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent to a child with pediatric bipolar disorder I am constantly in search of new resources that will help ease the day to day digressions, which occur with this roller coaster diagnosis. I am continuously learning new concepts, as I struggle to meet the demanding needs of my child. As the months have passed since her diagnosis, I have found myself more accepting of her future and not feeling so helpless. With newer resources and a better understanding of the disease, my child has a much brighter future. This book is a great resource that dives into the many aspects of bipolar and covers all facets of the disease. It discusses both childhood and adult bipolar disorder; as well as other mood disorders. This book is geared toward the family members, so it is written very well. It is made for the parents to understand and covers medical terminology in a more broken down manner. Historical aspects of the disease are included which covers medication, diagnostics, and hospitalization.

This book is an absolute must for those that have a child who is battling this challenging disorder. I believe the only real issue that I had was the fact that it was a little out dated. I am curious to see if there is an updated version of the book. So much of the information is still applicable today, but there are many more medications made available now than there was when the book was published. I am very happy to have picked this book up and it was very helpful in my studies and has been useful in my attempt to better understand my child’s illness. I have to recommend this book and I wish other parents the best of luck in there research on bipolar or mental health in general.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can expect nearly any book you will read on the topic of manic/depression to be a little melodramatic. It's just going to come out that way from personal experience because the condition can be really surreal. But I believe this one was written from a clinical point of view. As a result, it reads more to the point and less to the experience... talks about the symptoms and not how they 'feel', except in a clinical context. I high recommend this book to anyone who has manic/depression and wants to understand it better or learn better how to control it, as well as to friends and family of those who want to understand their loved better. Interesting book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written by a medical professional, full of technical jargon, but somehow approachable and understandable for anyone. This is a great read for anyone who has Bipolar or has a friend or family member who does. I took the author's advice and thoroughly read several chapters, skimmed several and completely skipped others... Some great take-aways: It's not mental illness... it's a mood disorder. It's not a chemical imbalance. Pharmacological science is sometimes a lot of trial and error. Meds work when taken. Full blown mania is unusual. Full blown depression is common. But mostly, bipolar is still being studied, advancements in treatments are being made. There is hope.