Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can Take Control of Bipolar Disorder

by Michael G. Pipich, Joseph Shrand (Contributor), Steven Jay Cohen (Narrator)

Knowledge is power, and grasping the basics of bipolar disorder can give you the power you need to detect it, accept it, and own the responsibility for treatment and lifelong disease management. With its three-phase approach, Owning Bipolar can help you and your loved ones become experts at an illness that has called the shots in your life for too long. Now it's time for you to take control.

- The Pre-stabilization phase and recognition confronting the causes of bipolar and the effects, including depression, anxiety, loss of energy, avoidance of responsibilities, and suicidal thoughts

- The Stabilization phase and acting on it starting effective medication, accepting the disease, and treating different types of bipolar

- The Post-stabilization phase and living with it undertaking long-term maintenance, accepting your new identity, and coming to terms with your responsibilities, and the responsibilities of your caregivers


Accessible and encouraging, and accented with empathetic first-hand stories from people who share the disorder, this book is a vital companion for readers to help them understand, treat, and live successfully with bipolar.

Genres: Self Help, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology

Audible Audio

Published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[J.M. (Joe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a lot of informative and validating stuff in this book. It helped me understand I'm not a total f*ck up. I have doubts about ever truly "owning" bipolar. I'm not sure what a post-stabilization phase is supposed to feel like, but one can hope.

A reviewer posted how the author pushed patients toward medication, but Pipich does the opposite. He wants you to be informed, of course, and provides a decent amount of info about meds and their categories, but the emphasis throughout is on intervention with therapy and support and the various processes, treatments, and even emotions attached to all this. I read some case studies in the book and I was like, "Damn, that's me!" I was recently diagnosed PTSD too, and this book helps some with that as well.

So, yeah, a good read. If you are bipolar, it's worth checking out. I got this one from my local library. See if yours has a copy. Peace.

[Merlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of the fundamentals of bipolar disorder. If it had a little bit more references or more robust explanations in some parts (based on statistical data or medical publications), it would definitely be perfect! In my opinion, for someone being already aware about the basics of the disease, it's sometimes too basic.

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owning bipolar is a psychology self-help book designed to provide you with the basics of the disorder, and how to live with this disease. It attempts to compartmentalize the issue by dividing it into three sections. The book also entails stories of people who suffer from the same problem.


While bipolar is a knowingly complicated disorder, I appreciated the author wanting to clarify this psychological condition by using science, experience, real-life stories, and his vast knowledge.



From what the author comments, it is estimated that 5% of the population suffers from bipolar disorder, which is about 350 million people worldwide. It is frequently misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to other mental illness diseases. The average patient sees about 4 mental health professionals before a correct diagnosis is made.



The literature is strong and easy to understand. It is apparent that the author has spent many years gathering data in order to provide us with a useful book.



I particularly enjoyed where the author attempts to confront people that are in denial about getting treatments or taking medication. I appreciated the title of the book being what it is and its introduction to the Seven Bipolar Mood Zones. I believe the breakdown of the issue was necessary for the readers that suffer through relationship issues and making connections.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read (via audiobook) 3 times already and will absolutely do so again. The first time I opened it I was distressed at being told about myself, (aka I was having a hard time acknowledging/ realizing what my life had been like and what it would be like before an after treatment).
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I appreciated the accessibility of the text, not too clinical or technical. It’s more about the life of the person than the treatment plan itself. It highlights the importance of the stabilization process and continuing care. The author is realistic, acknowledging there are aspects of this process that are difficult, setting expectations for readers who may have no idea what they are getting into.
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It was hard to read how much family and community should be involved as much of my recovery journey has been alone. I do hope loved ones read this as well as other bipolar people.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had some good information that helped me get insight on bipolar, I've recently been diagnosed and this answered many questions. It also gave me a look into others experience to know that I'm not the only one dealing with certain situations. I liked the section at the end about medications, though it's not the most detailed information - always read your medication info for details. It gave a good overview of various types and why they might be used. All of my medications were listed so I now have a better understanding on why they prescribed certain things.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).

The first half of the book was very helpful in explaining the nature of bipolar. The second half goes into a very detailed strategy for coping with it.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author wrote a book with easy to follow advice and practical insight as to how making changes to your lifestyle can be beneficial. This was written in an informative and nonjudgmental way that made it enjoyable to read. As a psychology major, I found this book to be really interesting and will be recommending it to my classmates!

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK for an overview of bipolar disorder. After this one, I read Mondimore's book and it was far better for understanding the diagnosis.

[Deirdre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for someone new to the diagnosis. I was hoping for more on long term issues of supporting your bipolar family member

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this from the perspective of the significant other to someone with bipolar. Though some of the information was fairly basic, there was plenty of informative stuff, too.

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

NYPL book

[Aysha · Rating 1 out of 5]

well, I was so excited to read this book (probably because I was hearing all about it everywhere), it isn't very informative or helpful for that matter, maybe if I read this book 5 years ago I would've found it beneficial or/and helpful. He doesn't involve much elaboration and when he does he keeps advising the mental patient to contact his/her prescribing physician to induce the doses or change the meds etc. or talk to your therapist (although I was wondering since he was speaking of consulting your therapist during the post-stabilization phase, like when is the perfect time to quit therapy?) which is what I'd do ordinarily anyway. Other than that his tone was incredibly condescending, he would constantly refer to the patient in the third person or would give a ridiculous example of a certain situation where he would exaggerate the bipolar symptoms. I didn't like the book at all, it was triggering for me (but maybe that's just me!).

[Ali]

This book is excellent. Most books about bipolar disorder stop after addressing the crisis stage, but Owning Bipolar keeps going into how to manage lifelong treatment. Mr. Pipich addresses how to deal with a chronic disorder from both the patient and family's perspective. I found this perspective extremely valuable and will be recommending the book to my family and friends.