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Bipolar, Not So Much: Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression
Depression confuses the mind, strips away hope, and causes people to blame themselves for an illness they never asked for. This book presents a revolutionary new understanding of the concept of depression and offers readers skills and strategies to manage it.
No longer is this a one-size-fits-all diagnosis, and antidepressants are no longer the one-size-fits-all treatment. Mood disorders are now seen to form a spectrum of problems, from common depression on one end to full bipolar disorder on the other. In between these extremes are multitudes of people who are on the middle of the mood spectrum, and this book is for them.
The first part of the book helps readers answer the question, “Where am I on the mood spectrum?” By laying the foundation for understanding this spectrum, Aiken and Phelps highlight the key distinctions that define unipolarity, bipolarity, hypomania, mania, and depression. Readers will be able to discern which definition best fits their experience, and use this understanding to learn which treatment methods will work best.
The authors also empower readers to look beyond antidepressants. They walk readers through new medications for the mood spectrum, and offer a guide to non-medication treatments that anyone can use on their own, from diet and lifestyle changes to natural supplements. The book also discusses other innovative technologies that can aid in recovery, including dawn simulators, mood apps, and blue-light filters.
This thoughtful and beneficial book will offer readers skills and strategies, as well as hope, in the face of debilitating mental challenges.
No longer is this a one-size-fits-all diagnosis, and antidepressants are no longer the one-size-fits-all treatment. Mood disorders are now seen to form a spectrum of problems, from common depression on one end to full bipolar disorder on the other. In between these extremes are multitudes of people who are on the middle of the mood spectrum, and this book is for them.
The first part of the book helps readers answer the question, “Where am I on the mood spectrum?” By laying the foundation for understanding this spectrum, Aiken and Phelps highlight the key distinctions that define unipolarity, bipolarity, hypomania, mania, and depression. Readers will be able to discern which definition best fits their experience, and use this understanding to learn which treatment methods will work best.
The authors also empower readers to look beyond antidepressants. They walk readers through new medications for the mood spectrum, and offer a guide to non-medication treatments that anyone can use on their own, from diet and lifestyle changes to natural supplements. The book also discusses other innovative technologies that can aid in recovery, including dawn simulators, mood apps, and blue-light filters.
This thoughtful and beneficial book will offer readers skills and strategies, as well as hope, in the face of debilitating mental challenges.
360 pages, Hardcover
Published January 17, 2017
180 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 10, 2017
An excellent read for those who has been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Very informative and put into plain, non-medical terms. I found this book very helpful.
July 21, 2022
I picked up this book because there is a pattern of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and attention deficit disorder on both sides of my family. some family members are affected more and have full-blown diagnoses of one or more of these illnesses. Others seem to be lightly affected, and they have much milder mood regulation issues. Some family members turned to alcohol or drugs to medicate their mood disorders, while others of us sought psychological help and take medication designed to treat, but not cure, our mood disorder. I have puzzled over many years, trying to understand if it is something genetic in my family members, or is it something that is present in the environment. After reading this book, I’ve come to understand that it is probably some of both. I also hoped this book might help me understand some of the behavioral patterns in my family, and it far exceeded my expectations. I feel I have much more insight into the lives of some of my family members who have passed away while finding points of relatability with my living family members as well. This book has led to some helpful and healing conversations among us.
March 3, 2022
Really interesting and insightful!
October 9, 2025
Excelente livro explicando a bipolaridade, que ele entende como um espectro, e dando evidências científicas tanto por trás das causas quanto dos tratamentos. Ele não se restringe, explicando desde como mudanças em estilo de vida já ajudam bastante, quanto explicando classes de remédios, os remédios em si, terapias e estratégias para lidar com o dia a dia. Compacto e completo.
June 24, 2019
This book talks about how bipolar comes on a spectrum and there are many people who deal with mood issues that don't really fit into depression or bipolar 1 and then gives information for the people who are in the middle of the spectrum. It is easy to read and was incredibly helpful to me. I docked a star because I wished it could have been longer and gone into more depth in some aspects.
February 13, 2025
Outstanding! I started this book not knowing what to expect and wasn't aware of how much I would learn. I am so thankful to have read this book. I have never re-read a book, but this is deserving of a re-read some time in the future, with a pen and notebook near. This is a book that deserves a spot on any therapist's book shelf, or in the home. It's especially an excellent read if you know anyone, or are someone on the mood spectrum. The book covers, in detail, what it means to have a mood disorder, lifestyle changes, treatment options including excellent summaries of medication choices (I found this section incredibly interesting), as well as relationships. The author also includes many resources in the back of the book. Have your highlighter ready. I only wish I could find more books like this.
July 18, 2018
A must-read for people with mood spectrum disorders.
June 4, 2019
I picked this up on a whim from a Mental Health Awareness display during a library visit. It has been super helpful in helping understand meds, how to find good therapy, how to talk to your doctor.
Don't let the title fool you, this books is primarily about bipolar and the mood spectrum.
I think it's a good choice even if you just suffer from depression or depression with anxiety. If you do think you might have a mood disorder though, I think this is required reading.
Don't let the title fool you, this books is primarily about bipolar and the mood spectrum.
I think it's a good choice even if you just suffer from depression or depression with anxiety. If you do think you might have a mood disorder though, I think this is required reading.
December 9, 2017
Informative and up to date. The best reference I’ve seen on explaining bipolar as a spectrum of greys opposed to black and white. Super helpful. Entire section discussing the many and varied treatment options. Medical and holistic. If you have recently been diagnosed yourself, or you have a loved one with this disorder, read this book.
March 29, 2021
I've read a lot of books on mental health and this is the best. The authors write with compassion and describe many coping strategies in addition to medication.
January 13, 2025
I highly recommend this book for people with any type of bipolar and also their families. Also it took me a year and a month to read this entire book, lol. Where to begin. Page 7: "Depression is not a moral weakness... Unlike other health problems, depression tries to convince people that it's their own fault." (See also: "The Hilarious World of Depression," and the quote that I'm paraphrasing: your brain is lying to you.)
The subhead "Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression" is wildly accurate. The first section of the book deals with what type of depression you have... unipolar, bipolar, mixed states, and there is a lot of information here and a lot of it was uncomfortable and/or overwhelming for me to take in at one time. (I'm rereading it to write this and I think I should probably read this bit again, since it was a year ago, lol.) There are some quizzes (yep, I'm bipolar!) and case studies.
Part 2 of the book is about choosing a "healing" lifestyle by adjusting things either in your brain via meds or in your environment (keeping a TV out of the bedroom) or doing yoga or whatever. This section mostly deals with diet and exercise, plus it talks about managing insomnia and keeping to daily rhythms, which I am especially bad at.
Part 3 deals with treatment, and hoo boy is that one chock full of information. They talk extensively about meds, and side effects and vitamins and light therapy (and regular talk therapy too). There's a whole bit about ADHD and bipolar. It's incredibly comprehensive. "If anticipating a brief medication visit provokes anxiety, you are not alone" (page 149). [cries] I changed the kind of fish oil I take because of this book, lol. The last section (part 4) is called "reclaiming your life," and that part was hard, too, because bipolar affects the entire family and there's a chapter for your family to read, and it made me sad. ("Sometimes, the chaos and fighting that hypomania brings can leave your loved ones feeling traumatized" p 257.)
Overall, I found this book to be incredibly informative and actually empowering. In a section entitled, "How many medicines are too many," they say, "For many people, the number of pills they are taking has a strong personal meaning, and it's usually a negative one... Less often is the thought, 'I'm finally taking care of myself like I'm worth something'" (p. 223). Just that tiny reframing helped me a lot.
"The hard part in all this is usually the bipolar word, because to most people that means 'Bipolar 1' and conjures up images of hospitalization, violence, and losing one's mind" (p. 257). Yep.
The subhead "Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression" is wildly accurate. The first section of the book deals with what type of depression you have... unipolar, bipolar, mixed states, and there is a lot of information here and a lot of it was uncomfortable and/or overwhelming for me to take in at one time. (I'm rereading it to write this and I think I should probably read this bit again, since it was a year ago, lol.) There are some quizzes (yep, I'm bipolar!) and case studies.
Part 2 of the book is about choosing a "healing" lifestyle by adjusting things either in your brain via meds or in your environment (keeping a TV out of the bedroom) or doing yoga or whatever. This section mostly deals with diet and exercise, plus it talks about managing insomnia and keeping to daily rhythms, which I am especially bad at.
Part 3 deals with treatment, and hoo boy is that one chock full of information. They talk extensively about meds, and side effects and vitamins and light therapy (and regular talk therapy too). There's a whole bit about ADHD and bipolar. It's incredibly comprehensive. "If anticipating a brief medication visit provokes anxiety, you are not alone" (page 149). [cries] I changed the kind of fish oil I take because of this book, lol. The last section (part 4) is called "reclaiming your life," and that part was hard, too, because bipolar affects the entire family and there's a chapter for your family to read, and it made me sad. ("Sometimes, the chaos and fighting that hypomania brings can leave your loved ones feeling traumatized" p 257.)
Overall, I found this book to be incredibly informative and actually empowering. In a section entitled, "How many medicines are too many," they say, "For many people, the number of pills they are taking has a strong personal meaning, and it's usually a negative one... Less often is the thought, 'I'm finally taking care of myself like I'm worth something'" (p. 223). Just that tiny reframing helped me a lot.
"The hard part in all this is usually the bipolar word, because to most people that means 'Bipolar 1' and conjures up images of hospitalization, violence, and losing one's mind" (p. 257). Yep.
September 13, 2025
for my psych/mental health professional friends!! this read like a book that’s between a textbook and a self-help book. i think the purpose is to provide information on other types of depression than unipolar depression. it focuses a lot on the mood spectrum, hypomania, some mania, moreso bipolar 2 disorder (namely bipolarity in the book) than bipolar 1.
reading/listening to this was incredibly informative as a healthcare provider (i have training in primary care, which included mental health education) and gave a lot of insight into the mood spectrum, nature/nurture, treatments, helpful evidence-based recommendations, and ultimately a big reminder to see patients as people (not their diagnosis).
the intention of this book is written for the person experiencing bipolarity (maybe unknown or undiagnosed), but i found it helpful as a healthcare provider - there’s a full section that’s just on medications (i’m talking listing out meds, mechanisms of action, side effects, benefits, everything my lil pharmacology heart would desire) that would have been way more beneficial if i was reading the physical copy instead of listening to it.
it was published in 2017, so there’s bound to be updated information on this topic now, but i learned a lot and am grateful for the work of our psych/mental health professionals working to learn more about the brain, psychology, and the experience of living with mental illness (especially the spectrum of depression and mood disorders).
reading/listening to this was incredibly informative as a healthcare provider (i have training in primary care, which included mental health education) and gave a lot of insight into the mood spectrum, nature/nurture, treatments, helpful evidence-based recommendations, and ultimately a big reminder to see patients as people (not their diagnosis).
the intention of this book is written for the person experiencing bipolarity (maybe unknown or undiagnosed), but i found it helpful as a healthcare provider - there’s a full section that’s just on medications (i’m talking listing out meds, mechanisms of action, side effects, benefits, everything my lil pharmacology heart would desire) that would have been way more beneficial if i was reading the physical copy instead of listening to it.
it was published in 2017, so there’s bound to be updated information on this topic now, but i learned a lot and am grateful for the work of our psych/mental health professionals working to learn more about the brain, psychology, and the experience of living with mental illness (especially the spectrum of depression and mood disorders).
March 6, 2025
Sincerely think this is the most informative book to ever exist on mood disorders. A detailed yet not boring crash course. Incredible. If I could make everyone read one book it would probably be this one. Theres so much bad rep and stereotypes and stigma around unipolar, bipolar and other mood disorders . People are dehumanized when these diagnosis are brought up. But this book truly shows the facts. The science. The how to . How to live and interact and heal and etc etc etc. the audiobook was amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. I learned so much.
May 14, 2025
Excellent read for anybody who enjoys nonfiction. Writing was clear and straight to the point, making complex topics easy to understand. Like any good nonfiction, all statements have evidence to back them, and Aiken provides many disclaimers about how his book may become outdated as science progresses. Aiken primarily focuses on the biology behind the disease and its treatment, so be ready for sections heavy on scientific explanation (though he does use simple language). Many of the lifestyle recommendations are universal, making this a valuable read for anybody.
December 29, 2024
Rating: 3.5
Its a really detailed approach to bipolar disorder but I feel like they added to the stigma a lot by refusing to just say bipolar. It would have been more powerful to just educate people on what bipolar is.
I loved the sections about rejection sensitivity when hypomanic or depressed because it makes so much sense.
If i have to hear their website one more time it'll be enough. They must have dropped their website like at least 20 times. It got so annoying so quick.
Its a really detailed approach to bipolar disorder but I feel like they added to the stigma a lot by refusing to just say bipolar. It would have been more powerful to just educate people on what bipolar is.
I loved the sections about rejection sensitivity when hypomanic or depressed because it makes so much sense.
If i have to hear their website one more time it'll be enough. They must have dropped their website like at least 20 times. It got so annoying so quick.
August 4, 2022
This was a quick, easy read that had some new information I hadn't read, especially around medication. It provided a great overview of the illness and I think is a great resource for those newly diagnosed, family and friends of those with a mood disorder, or folks wanting to understand mood disorders more clearly. It didn't read like a textbook but was written from a clinical perspective.
June 20, 2024
Book written by Dr. Aiken, an international expert on Bipolar Disorder and the editor-in-chief of world-class clinical journal “The Carlat Psychiatry Report”. I wasn't disappointed. It's perfectly clear, it intelligently balances theory and clinical practice while still being accessible to the layman. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2017
I was visiting a large bookshop with plenty of self help, mental health books. This was the only one I could find on Bipolar disorder. Needless to say, it helped me understand the concept of Bipolarity and things that could help.
January 15, 2022
This is such a helpful book! It has evaluations, lifestyle advice, medication Information, and more. And it talks about the treatment of combined disorders, when you have both mood disorder and another condition
January 16, 2023
Very informative book and very well written. Whether you suffer from bipolar or not, this is one of those books that will open your eyes to the world around you and make you see people differently especially those suffering from depression and bipolar disorders. Highly recommended read!
June 4, 2023
Excellent overview of Bipolar II disorder. Easy, conversational style of reading, perfect for a patient. Lots of great, practical tips, while also including medication and therapy as main focus of treatment. Highly recommend!
October 3, 2024
Super helpful information, broken down and presented in a way that's easy to understand. Recommended for people who experiences symptoms, people who care about people who have symptoms, and (while that should include providers it should be stated) highly recommended for providers.
December 17, 2024
excellent resource
Informative and thought-provoking. Provides excellent insight, explanations, and recommendations. Very thorough as far as treatment and management options. I will return to this as a resource.
Informative and thought-provoking. Provides excellent insight, explanations, and recommendations. Very thorough as far as treatment and management options. I will return to this as a resource.
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May 9, 2025DNF - this was not really what i expected so i stopped at like 75%. it was just listing stuff instead of giving me the ~psychopharmacology~ that i was hoping for. work starts monday so this wraps up my brain book spam woohoo! (audiobooked)
June 11, 2019
Most helpful book I have found on the subject.
December 21, 2021
My therapist recommended this book, and I found it immensely comforting and helpful.
January 8, 2022
Exceedingly helpful. A plethora of information that goes very in-depth. I'll be referring to this frequently, as and when needed.
February 1, 2022
I've been looking for a book to recommend to my patients. This one is wonderful!
March 27, 2023
so good!!! i will definitely be rereading this.
September 20, 2023
DNF - 34%
It has great info, it's just suuuuuper info heavy and I wish it were more spread out with more examples of the info or how to help
It has great info, it's just suuuuuper info heavy and I wish it were more spread out with more examples of the info or how to help
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews