When Someone You Love Is Bipolar: Help and Support for You and Your Partner

by Cynthia G. Last

When bipolar disorder afflicts the person you love, you suffer too. How have other couples learned to manage the relationship strains caused by this illness? What can you do to provide your partner with truly helpful nurturance and support? No one cares more deeply about these questions than Dr. Cynthia Last, a highly regarded therapist/researcher who also has bipolar disorder. Sharing stories and solutions from her own experience and the couples she has treated, Dr. Last offers heartfelt, practical guidance for getting through the out-of-control highs and the devastating lows--together. Learn how you can help your spouse come to terms with a bipolar diagnosis, get the most out of treatment, and reduce or prevent future mood episodes, while also taking care of yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2009

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to review this without getting too personal, but I will say that I found this a very helpful resource. It focuses primarily on those with Bipolar II illness (the less severe type), but there is definitely enough usefulness here for anyone dealing with Bipolar I in their lives.

[Kimberly Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource for those in a relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder. Dr. Last is a practicing clinical psychologist, which means she has frontline experience with those who have bipolar disorder and their loved ones. Also, she has bipolar II disorder herself. The foreword of the book is written by her husband. I found it touching to read the compromises he’s made to help their marriage and how they’ve tackled this together.
http://bipolar.about.com/od/additiona...

[April Hadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of good advice and helpful explanations. Fairly easy to understand for those who don't know much about the field of psychology. Good for anyone who has any sort of relationship (working, platonic, romantic) with a person with bipolar disorder.

[AnandaTashie]

My partner isn't bipolar, but I have relatives who are, making me curious to read more. Skimmed through and read bits and pieces. Gives a decent overview of bipolar, coping, etc. From a definite medical / medicating POV.

Something interesting mentioned in a brief blurb: "A vitamin B12 deficiency has been reported to precipitate manic behavior as well as depression. Some of the other B vitamins - B6 and folic acid - and the mineral chromium picolinate also have been linked to depression."

She also notes that 30 to 50% of successful artists suffer from bipolar, a rate that's at least 10 times more than the general population (!).

[Nicole Javvaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a saviour for the lost, like me. I keep it on my nightstand and reference it all the time.

[Destiney Amiott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your spouse, significant other, or anyone you love is bipolar, you have to read this book. After years of not understanding my husband's ups and downs and just wanting to know what was happening, this book has given me so many of the answers I wanted. It has brought me closer to my husband.

[Sharon Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did learn more about bipolar than I knew before and I learned a few tips for dealing with things but not as much as I was hoping for. I would have rather read a book that was just a personal day to day story of a wife with a bipolar husband....BUT I did learn some things so it wasn't a waste of time. I just found it more like reading a textbook than a regular book and that type of reading is not as interesting to me, personally.
I definitely think anyone with a bipolar spouse that is going through misunderstanding of why their spouse acts the way they do SHOULD read this or another books, pamphlets, etc. to educate themselves more. For that matter, we ALL could do with educating ourselves more.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

helped me understand the disorder more but the plan or suggestions may not be that realistic for everyone and can give false hope about creating functional relationship as taking medication constantly isn't the way many people with BPD want to live or can live or are willing to live and i understand that.

[katiebreelah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific guide to help not only yourself but the ones you love dearest. An easy to read educational book with tips, strategies, and goals to lead the best life possible. A must read for those who have a loved one whom is bipolar or has it their self. A tool that can be used your entire lifetime.

[Stacy Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having bipolar disorder has to be torturous for the person who has it. However, it can be equally so for friends and/or family members who are unequipped to deal with the mood swings, the gaslighting, the turning the tables to accuse them of what the bipolar person is doing. It can be lonely, infuriating and maddening. This book provides real coping skills among the plethora of practical advice, and it also stresses that one need not give up and turn away from the person who has the disorder. Best of all it arms the reader with the psychological armor to protect him or herself when the psychological attacks begin. Very useful, practical information.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely helpful and informative; really glad to know this information. Helped me feel validated and less alone. Her approach feels a bit outdated in terms of the paternalistic reliance on "doctor always knows best" and it's missing some more modern and alternative treatment options. Still, a worthy read. Wish I'd found it long ago.

[John Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a practical book for someone who is married to a spouse with bipolar disorder.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explained the difference between treatment for depression and treatment for bipolar. The different warning signs and the behavior contract are also helpful

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. Lots of helpful info and great insight. I'd recommend this book for every person who's significant other is bipolar.

[Kimberly]

I did not love most of the book. I found the last chapter the most helpful.

[Cassie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be good, but it seemed very simplistic (in a bad way) and clearly only dealt with bipolar 1, so a lot of the information wasn't relevant for me.

[Leabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful book by a psychologist who works with people with bipolar and suffers from it herself.