Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for You and Your Loved Ones

by Francis Mark Mondimore

Compassionate and comprehensive, Dr. Francis Mondimore's pathbreaking guide has helped thousands of people and their loved ones cope with bipolar disorder. Now in its fourth edition, Bipolar Disorder has been totally revised and reorganized to reflect the dramatic improvements in the treatment of the illness, as well as the numerous scientific breakthroughs that have improved our understanding of its causes.

With insight and sensitivity, Dr. Mondimore makes complex medical concepts easy to understand and describes what it is like for people to live with bipolar disorder. He also

- surveys new medications for treating bipolar disorder, exploring the benefits and potential side effects of each, as well as provides an advance look at investigational drugs
- examines older medications such as ketamine that were originally developed for other uses that have been repurposed to treat bipolar disorder
- reviews the scientific studies that back up claims for recommended botanicals and nutritional supplements, such as omega-3s and NAC, and tells you which ones to leave on the shelf
- expands the chapter on brain stimulation treatments to include new transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices and techniques such as "deep TMS" and "theta-burst TMS," as well as new details about vagal nerve stimulation
- describes the emerging field of pharmacogenomics: the science of using a patient's genetic profile to improve the selection and dosing of medications
- examines the important relationship between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) while discussing why one or the other diagnosis is often overlooked in persons who have both
- lays out recommended lifestyle changes and practical approaches to managing the illness better, planning for emergencies, building a support system, dealing with insurance and legal issues, and defining the role of the family

For those interested in the scientific underpinnings of how treatments work, a section called "What Causes Bipolar Disorder" has been added. As a bonus, Dr. Mondimore discusses the role that talk therapy, including newer specialized forms of cognitive behavioral therapy as well as family-focused therapy, can play in managing the disorder. Bipolar Disorder is exhaustive and detailed, discussing every aspect of the illness: diagnosis, treatments, causes, special considerations for children and youth, women with the diagnosis, and the challenge of co-occurring addiction.

Genres: Psychology, Health, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I was diagnosed with severe bipolar I disorder with psychotic features in early February I knew that I would want to read as much about this condition as I could. I greatly appreciated reading about the life of Dr Kay Redfield Jamison in her fabulous book An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness, but I realized that my case was very different from hers. I was diagnosed in my early 60s, not at the age of 14, and even though I received the exact diagnosis she did my condition didn't seem to be anywhere near as bad as hers — or, at least I hoped not. This book, which ironically is written by a colleague of Dr Jamison's in the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, was exactly what I needed. Reading it confirmed that the diagnosis I received was the correct one, with the possible minor exception that my case is "severe", and that took away the small concern I had that I had another condition that mimicked bipolar disorder.

I initially borrowed Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families, the 3rd edition of this book, from my county library system, but about halfway through I realized that this was a book that I needed to have on hand for frequent reference, especially in the early stages of this illness, and for use if I were to suffer a relapse, and others could use this book to help me in case of a manic, depressive or suicidal crisis.

The book is divided into several parts. In the first, Normal and Abnormal Mood, Dr Mondimore describes what makes the episodes of mania, hypomania and depression different, and far more worrisome, than the simple variations of mood that non-afflicted people experience. Reading this section allowed me to distinguish my normal thoughts from the very abnormal ones I had during my manic episodes and psychotic break. Next is a breakdown of the different types of bipolar disorder, and a history of bipolar disorder, with special mention given to the great German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin, the first physician to describe bipolar disorder, and the Australian psychiatrist John Cade, who discovered that lithium was an incredibly effective treatment for the disease.

Part II discusses the various treatments for bipolar disorder, including the large increase in effective medications for the condition, specifically mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, although cognitive behavioral therapy and brain-stimulation treatments are also mentioned. Part III discusses, to some degree, what causes bipolar disorder, which is far less known than the medications that can be beneficial. Part IV discusses bipolar disorder in children and women, and the role that alcohol use and abuse can play in worsening the condition. Part V is arguably the most important one of the book, as it emphasizes the importance of taking medications regularly — many people and certainly all medical students have seen someone in the midst of a manic episode, and it is a frightening thing to behold. This section also encourages those of us with bipolar disorder to build a support network, and find out what to do if you experience a crisis, and which emergency departments and hospitals will be covered by your insurance plan (I’ll start working on that this weekend!). Families of those with bipolar disorder should know to look at the end of this part, in order to help their loved one in a crisis. Finally, Part VI serves as a summary of where we’re at with bipolar disorder, and current research that may someday make this a condition that can be cured, rather than controlled.

Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for You & Your Loved Ones was an excellent follow up to An Unquiet Mind, and is essential reading for anyone who either has or knows someone with this disorder.

[Scott Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bipolar disorder (previously termed manic-depression) is a serious mental illness and requires medication and often counseling to treat. This mood disorder increases the likelihood of suicidal outcomes. Though relatively common, many patients find coping with the illness difficult. First, the patient must come to terms with his/her own frailty. Then, the patient must find appropriate help for the ailment. Finally, she/he must educate a support structure to handle future difficulties with the illness. Fortunately, this scientific guide provides much insight in one place about all the issues today’s patients must confront.

Mondimore is an eminent psychiatrist and clinician at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He writes with obvious empathy and knowledge borne from much study and experience. Main topics covered include defining the disease, treatments, causes, variations, connections with other conditions, and getting and staying better. The book can serve as a comprehensive “driver’s manual” to this difficult disorder.

Often, a newly diagnosed patient does not know where to turn for more information about their condition. The amount of change required to deal with bipolar disorder can be overwhelming. This work, now in a fourth edition (meaning that it’s proven helpful for over a decade), presents the latest science and clinical wisdom. If you are a new patient and want to get on with your life by overcoming your new illness, Mondimore’s guide will provide you with almost all of the information you need.

As advertised, this book is especially geared to bipolar patients, whether new or longstanding, and to those who support them in life. Clinicians and counselors might also find it helpful in helping their own clients achieve success in life. It’s filled with science and pearls gained from medical expertise (and annotated with copious endnotes), not just helpful tips common in similar books. Along with the works of Kay Redfield Jamison (another Hopkins clinician), this work stands to help a generation of those sick with this serious mental illness.

[Judith Rozarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I read over several months to educate myself on this disorder. It was one of several I've read over the last year, and one of the better ones. Concise, with up to date information, and some resources, along with an excellent index, I appreciate the knowledge shared with those of us who deal with our loved ones unasked for journey on this read. While I hoped for some positive facts, they just aren't around for this. Every person experiences both similar and different patterns, with some meds that work and some that don't. Actually, that was pretty helpful - to know we are NOT alone in this community of caregivers and supporters.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enlightening read for me. There are so many misconceptions surrounding mental illnesses, and this book explains things in such a clear and simple way for people who don't understand. It is very easy to be quick to judge and draw criticisms against people without having any understanding of what life looks like through their eyes. I hope that more people will read this book, and I won't stop recommending it.

[Amy Jin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn’t meet much of my original expectations of helping my friend who has bipolar,but rather explain how it arises and only last 2 chapters focused on helping others,however it’s a great book for my major in uni which is psychology for explaining everything clearly,so generally good if you are studying psychology or biology or neuroscience like me

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did only read this book for a project in school, but the more I read I realized it was actually really interesting to me. I enjoyed learning more about bipolar disorder and even though Im not affected by it and don't know anyone else affected by it, it was interesting to learn about.

[Barbara Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, very thorough explanation. I highly recommend it. I only gave it 4 stars because it was so detailed it took me a while to finish. I wonder if others will stick with it?