Understanding Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Family Guide

by Aimee Daramus

A compassionate approach to understanding and supporting loved ones with bipolar disorder

If your loved one was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about how to help them live the healthiest life possible. Understanding Bipolar Disorder answers those questions and offers helpful guidance with essential information, practical strategies, and support for families of people suffering from bipolar disorder.

Learn about what bipolar is, how it’s diagnosed, the science behind it, and the treatments available, including medication, therapies, and community support. You’ll find effective tools for dealing with a diagnosis as a family, advice for exploring therapy options as a team, and simple techniques for managing your family’s stress levels to prevent emotional burnout.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Relatable anecdotes—Read about what it’s like to have bipolar disorder and to live with someone who has it. Family friendly activities—Explore exercises and questions you can work through together so you can learn how to best support your loved one with bipolar. Tools for thriving together—Discover tools that help you flourish as a family, including advice for getting ahead of moods, setting boundaries, maintaining healthy relationships, self-care, and more.

Take the first step toward understanding and managing bipolar disorder—together.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory text, written simply and practically. It’s for people who don’t know much about bipolar disorder.

[Marcus Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing ground breaking, occasionally jarring because of the perspective shifts mid-text (I.e whether it's a supporter or the bipolar sufferer themselves being addressed); but it's good as a foundational text

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a loved one who is recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so when I was asked if I would be willing to receive an advanced reader copy of this book I agreed immediately. This book is a clearly and cleanly written book focused on helping the friends and family of someone who has bipolar disorder. It breaks things down in a logical progression, offers ideas for what to expect in each stage of the diagnosis and what to look for. The book not only details what you can likely expect but frequently includes ideas for how you can help your loved one or what questions to ask. From common mis-diagnoses and other mental health issues that often accompany bipolar to what to do if your loved one gets the wrong medication or requires hospitalization, this book covers it all in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand. This book was written in such a way that it is perfect for someone without any prior knowledge of the disorder. It includes many examples and stories to help the reader understand what someone with bipolar disorder may be experiencing or feeling and includes ways to write an action plan and a multitude of different resources. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about bipolar disorder or how to help and support someone who is struggling with bipolar disorder.

[Willa Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bipolar can blindfold a family, spin it around three times, and set it loose in treacherous terrain. Aimee Daramus takes readers by the hand and gives us a roadmap. Step by step, she provides basic information in the order it is needed, with practical suggestions, helpful lists, and calming reassurance. The organization, with brief case studies, section headings, and call outs for specific actions, is easy to follow.

When I was diagnosed with bipolar, my wife got nothing from the doc, no advice, no information, not a word. She found resources on her own, we reinvented the wheel, and we have made it work. She has been and still is absolutely central to my recovery. How much easier it all would have been to have Understanding Bipolar Disorder available from the beginning.

Learning to live with bipolar is a work in progress for both patient and the family. Ten years after my diagnosis, we still work on it. Reading this book, I am reminded of pieces of our emergency plans that we don’t have in place. We will refer to Understanding Bipolar Disorder many times as we go forward. I have just bought two more copies to give it as a gift to friends whose family members are diagnosed.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites

This book is definitely my #1 favorite and by far the most helpful and educational book I've read on Bipolar and how to help a loved one and yourself cope with my. 10/10 would recommend!

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re new to the concept of bipolar disorder and need help finding resources or knowing where to start with supporting your loved one, this book is for you.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help for those who suffer and the family who loves them through it

Well written,introduction to bipolar disorder, its causes, treatment and support. The author wrote in a clear and concise way that allowed the reader to fully understand the disorder, how the diagnosed deals with it and those who love them can help with their growth and management of this long term diagnosis. Writen with a loving hand this book was a God send.

[Aaron Schumacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2020 book is short (149 pages) and kind. With a therapist's tact, it advises stoic behavior (see also: The Enchiridion) and introduces helpful concepts and terminology (like on page 107, "euthymic" means "not having a mood episode right now"). It seems like pretty good guidance for a difficult condition.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting — unbelievably good read for those who have or know someone with bipolar disorder and want to understand. The most simple, concise, accurate, and ultimately eye-opening depiction of bipolar disorder I’ve found.

[Chris Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Informative

This book gave a good detailed understanding of bipolar and how it effects the families. The text has different resources and stories from people no have or have experienced someone with bipolar

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, informative