Bipolar 101: A Practical Guide to Identifying Triggers, Managing Medications, Coping with Symptoms, and More

by Ruth C. White, John D. Preston

After receiving a bipolar diagnosis, you need clear answers. Bipolar 101 is a straightforward guide to understanding bipolar disorder. It includes all the information you need to control your symptoms and live better. Authored by both a psychologist and a mental health expert who has bipolar disorder herself, this pocket guide is the only book on bipolar disorder you'll ever need.

The best primer ever written on the topic of bipolar disorder.
-Stephen Hinshaw, editor of Psychological Bulletin and chair of the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley

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

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Ruth C. White, PhD, MPH, MSW, is clinical associate professor at the University of Southern California's School of Social Work and has taught undergraduate and graduate students in social work for fifteen years. White received her MSW from McGill University and her PhD and MPH from the University of California, Berkeley. She has worked as a social worker in Canada, the US, and the UK in various types of social work settings, and she keeps a blog at bipolar-101.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was pretty obvious and I knew most of it. I also don't think it's right to say the people around a bipolar person suffer more than the bipolar person themselves. There may be some instances where this is true, but it is certainly not universal.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely basic. Meant to be the first book that you read after a diagnosis when you are too freaked out or uninformed to handle a lot of medications. Not of use to anyone who has a history with the disorder and is looking for more along the lines of latest research, meds, coping techniques, etc.

[Emily Decker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is definitely suited for those who have just gotten a diagnosis for Bipolar or who are totally unsure how to document their moods, foods, exercise, meds, etc. It is great for anyone who is really just starting out on their Bipolar journey or those who have yet to get a handle on their diagnosis. It has charts to copy and use and ways to document by asking you questions to answer so you can understand triggers, etc. Ruth C. White has another book on Bipolar I love pertaining to preventing relapse which really helped me and so I thought I would check this book out. Unfortunately it wasn't for me. That said, I highly suggest checking out her books as she herself has Bipolar and a very good understanding of this mental illness.

[cathoderituals · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title says, this is 101, but there’s a bit too much focus on what bipolar disorder is, getting dx’ed, risks of being untreaed, assessing suicide risk, etc. These early sections would be good for loved ones of a bipolar person to review, but have limited use for someone with a basic understanding. The best portions are on diet and logging habits/moods. I would have liked to see a lot more about navigating ADA, leaves of absence claims, handling rejection after someone was previously on your team, and managing triggers more thoroughly rather than just identifying them. I was able to mostly just skim this, make a few notes, boom and done, but it’s too surface level for longer-term reference.

[Christine Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good, practical guide to managing your disorder, especially if you haven’t read anything else. It offers practical steps that will definitely help if you follow her advice. (Understand Bipolar, get treatment, take your meds, know your triggers, track your moods, get enough sleep, minimize stress, get regular exercise, get good nutrition, build a support system, and advocate for yourself). A good read for someone interested in this disorder, written by someone who suffers from BPD as well.

[Brett Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for bipolar disorder

This was a very complete book about bipolar disorder. I enjoyed reading it because it not only described the disease and challenges, but also provided instructions on how to make oneself recover from suffering. Also, a good resource for diet, exercise, social support, and handling work disclosure choices. Impressive book! Highly recommend it.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good resource for people suspecting that they have Bipolar, and want to know what they need to do to get started on regulating their symptoms. For clinicians, there isn't much extra information except the importance of structure and keeping track of client's triggers, exercise, eating habits and sleep.

[Unabridged Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't really a book that you read cover-to-cover. It's a good book for somebody who has just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but I was mainly using it for the charts with it. The charts are actually very helpful if you are going to be keeping a mood journal.

[Sarah Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for people recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Encourages journaling and many self-care activities.

[Jennifer Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you don't necessarily have to read chapter by chapter but it does help when you do. I've been diagnosed as bipolar for over 10 years, closer to 15 actually and I wish this book had been there in the beginning. While not everything in it applies to everyone with this disorder it does have many useful tools and definitions as well as what basically amounts to homework to help you understand the intricacies and complications that arise with many bipolar people. I haven't finished it yet but so far I have learned quite a bit about myself and now realize that more of my past behaviors can be directly tied to this disorder which helps me a lot in the lifelong recovery process. The book can be overly simple at times but I still find it extremely helpful and recommend it to those that want to learn more about the disorder that they or their loved ones are forced to deal with daily. My Mother wants to read it next.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer, along the same lines as Living with Bipolar: A Guide to Understanding and Managing the Disorder. I think I would have found this especially useful when I was just getting used to the diagnosis--it has careful action plans that help you evaluate your diet, exercise, medication, sleep, etc and work towards healthy levels.

[Cathy Blackler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great resource for families navigating the frightening challenges of a bipolar diagnosis. Practical strategies that are helpful for the stressors we all encounter everyday, not only for people on the bipolar spectrum.

[A'Driane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have & great primer for those just diagnosed w/bipolar disorder. Informative, thorough, and easy to read.

[Cyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent resource for folks (like me) with bipolar disorder. I use some of the strategies I learned in this book every single day. This is one I frequently recommend to others.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would have been good for me to read when I was first diagnosed, but I didn't really learn much from it just skimming through it.