The Bipolar Handbook: Real-Life Questions with Up-to-Date Answers

by Wes Burgess

For Dr. Wes Burgess, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder means hope-hope for the estimated ten million people who will develop the disorder during their lifetimes, and hope for the families and friends of people who suffer from it. Drawing upon the real questions asked by patients and families during his nearly twenty years as a bipolar specialist, The Bipolar Handbook comprehensively tackles every area of the disorder, from its causes to medical treatment and psychotherapy, to strategies for creating a healthy lifestyle, to the prevention of, coping with, and treatment of bipolar episodes. From the more than five hundred questions and answers, you'll

- what to expect when pursuing a diagnosis
- how to choose the right doctor or specialist
- how to get the disorder under control
- what treatments and medication protocols are best for you
- how to reduce stress to prevent manic and depressive episodes
- what family members and friends can do to support you, and more

Dr. Burgess also addresses unique lifestyle concerns facing bipolar individuals. Special chapters on practical strategies for career success, building healthy relationships, issues that specifically affect bipolar women, and coping techniques for families and friends further explore the impact of the disorder on daily life.

The Bipolar Handbook 's easy-to-access format and full chapter of resources, as well as diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association and the National Institute for Mental Health, make this a versatile guide-perfect for quick reference and in-depth discovery.

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

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2006

Reviews

[Jason Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite informative and easy to digest.

Quite informative and easy to digest despite the haunting nature of reading about bipolar disorder. I highly recommend this book to anyone experiencing bouts of high energy and insight, volatile nature, intense emotions, racing thoughts, depression characterized by lethargy and oversleep.

[Ian Reynir · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thoroughly unimpressed. I dislike strictly coping based strategies in general, but in this book, readers are told that they are "ill" or somehow defective. This is simply not true. Marohn's book is far superior.

Some of the suggestions are helpful, but the anti-human overtones are hard to overlook. I felt deminished as a human after reading this book. This author clearly does not think much of bipolar individuals.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole thing; just kind of skipped around. Some of the questions/answers were a little too over the top and graphic for me.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This book was amazing and full of good info. Definitely recommended for anyone with bipolar disorder, or for those who wants to help.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful information, presented very poorly.

[H.A. Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't a bad place to start learning about this disorder from the patient's point of view. It offered some good resources online and in the community as well, and was presented in a clear, easy to understand Q&A format that I'm sure would serve most newly diagnosed people well.

Most of the book, however, I skipped over. It seemed primarily focused on people who were very low functioning socially, to the point where it teaches a bipolar person how to make small talk. That might be great for a person who has this issue, but it wasn't very helpful for someone like me who has avoidance issues, but never has a problem once in a social situation.

I can't really criticize the book overall -- I think it just tries to be too many things to too many people who cover a very broad spectrum of mental illness. It does do a good job of laying the groundwork for someone just learning about the disorder, however.

[Melynda Yesenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Question: What method do you suggest for falling asleep?
Burgess's answer: I suggest that you go to bed...

I like this guy. He gives some great suggestions for reading material and support websites, tackles the smoking weed and drinking wine questions head on, and talks about what he's actually used in practice with his patients. I trusted him to tell the truth.

It's not often I like these books, they've all kind of become routine, but I liked this one. He's clear and straightforward and I get the feeling that I wouldn't resent being in the same room with him for therapy. That's a big deal.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder who has a medical background, I found this book very informative for myself but even more so for my family as they were facing this disorder from a completely different vantage point from me. There were some aspects of the disorder that I was not aware of that were outlined by this book, which helped me understand a lot of he reasons for why I did some of the things I did in the past. This helped me come to terms with he disorder and forgive myself for some of the mistakes I had made in the past. A helpful handbook as well as an easy read.

[Ugonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested to discover Jessie's Jackson's son was highlighted in media for this condition. As a psychology major interested in being a life-long learner and hopefully an entrepreneur with a life-coaching component, I found this book to be practically informative for the perspective of answers to questions posed from clients of the author.

[Marie]

"This book in question and answer format allows you to find the questions (and answers) that most relate to your situation. The resource section is comprehensive and includes book, online and organizational resources."

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I'm doing Research on this topic, and many other mental illness, I found this book insightful with a question/answer format. I was a caseworker for behavioral health and want to go back into the field to help others to manage their symtoms.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very straightforward and have clear answers to understanding this illness. I'm grateful I read it and highly recommend it to everyone I know. It gives answers and hope to those who struggle with this disorder.

[Kat Connors · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years after my diagnosis, my parents finally got over their denial. (They are now VPs of their NAMI chapter, lol) This answered most of their questions in a way I couldn't indispensable for loved one and the newly diagnosed!

[Em26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently diagnosed. I wanted to father educate myself on the topic. This book caught my eye at the bookstore. It was very informative it answered a lot of questions I had. It showed my how the diagnoses works, why you have the symptoms you have. I would recommend this book to others.

[Carrie Gunn-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very informative guide to those who are interested in learning more about Bipolar disorder and its treatments.

[Kara Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful good book

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, clear answers.

[Katie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about my illness and why my mind works the way it does.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the question and answer format and the focus on a holistic treatment approach. I respected the doctors approach to treatment.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful questions and answers about bipolar disorder, though nothing especially new.

[Jessietaylortanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay- about half the book was unnecessary for me, as I an already make small talk. I don't know if I would call it a 'handbook', as it is all Q&A. Some helpful info.

[Heather Flanagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a QA format, very informative

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on Bi Polar I have ever read and that all I can say.