The Bipolar Advantage

by Tom Wootton

The Bipolar Advantage is about recognizing all of the aspects of the bipolar condition. Wootton readily admits that "Advantage" is not the typical interpretation of bipolar. Based on his Bipolar in Order Seminar that he has developed over the past two years, it focuses on the positive approach to the bipolar condition. It is about coming to an acceptance of yourself while striving to become a better person. Learning to use Introspection to become aware of who you REALLY are and learning to change your habits in order to accentuate the positive aspects of the bipolar condition while minimizing the negative. Turning bipolar into an advantage is accomplished by creating a vision of who you want to be and putting together a plan to follow that will get you there; as is done by every successful business in the world. As a successful professional and someone who was misdiagnosed for years, Wootton has personally experienced the good and the bad of this condition. Leading a DBSA group and teaching the Bipolar in Order seminar has put Wootton in touch with the personal stories of many bipolar people and their families. This positive approach with tools and skills for improving life will be of help to everyone, both those with bipolar and those who love and support them.

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

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2005

About the author

Tom Wootton founded Bipolar Advantage with the mission to help people with mental conditions shift their thinking and behavior so that they can lead extraordinary lives. He challenges many of the pervasive attitudes about mental conditions and charts a different course that looks at the positive as well as negative aspects of mental conditions. He has worked tirelessly to change the paradigm of how we look at and treat mental conditions.

- http://www.bipolaradvantage.com/about...

Reviews

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost feel like I should recuse myself from discussing books like this, since I do not, in fact, HAVE bipolar disorder. I almost feel that way. I do, however, love and live with a husband who is Bipolar I, and has had a long, tough road with no letup in sight.

I have to say, Wooton's done a good thing here. It's not really much of a book, heft-wise, and it is B-A-D-L-Y written (but hey, self-published probably means no editor, right?), but the content he puts in is plain, helpful, easy to digest, and, possibly, inspirational. It will give your inner English Teacher hives, however--worse than reading my blog, even.

For me, reading this author, I feel a certain "manic" vibe in his writing style. I feel like I can very much imagine what it's like to hear him speak and to be around him from the way he communicates in his book. What I'm saying, I guess, is that what this book lacks in craft, it attempts to make up for in authenticity. Whether or not it succeeds probably depends upon your point of view.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINALLY. A book that doesn't portray a bipolar diagnosis as a death sentence. Highly recommended for anyone diagnosed, knows someone who is diagnosed, etc. I have to admit though I didn't do the exercises but I'm willing to bet my meds that they are helpful.

[Kevin Deisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tom Wootton truly rights like a bipolar in a manic phase. At times he is all over the place and the knowledge he shares is reasonably valuable but it is so "in your face" that it became obnoxious. I really didn't learn a lot of new information but it was entertaining at least.

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows how having Bipolar is an ad-vantage not dis-advantage. Its a dis-ease but can be made easier to live with. A dis-order made in-order to understand. I really great way to look at a misunderstood illness that can lead down dark roads.

I'd also suggest:

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that gives a much needed view on the positive side of bipolar disorder.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the "advantage" perspective and talking about mental illness without it seeming like a death sentence. Interesting insights to bipolar behavior.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about the positive attributes of bipolar. Fresh perspective that is badly needed in the literature. I felt much better after reading this book. There's always a silver lining, right?

[Lisa McCann]

This book was hard for me to read due to the fact that it seemed like he was writing the book more for an outlet for himself than for the reader

[Sandra Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

good information for me to learn more about my illness.

[Simon Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows Bipolar is not always something which gets in your way. Some of the most famous people in history got famous because they were able to take advantage of their Bipolar.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read like an autobiography.

[Morgan]

THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE.