Living With Someone Who's Living With Bipolar Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers

by Chelsea Lowe, Bruce M. Cohen

An essential resource for anyone who has a close relationship with a person who is bipolar This book provides a much-needed resource for family and friends of the more than 5 million American adults suffering from bipolar disorder. From psychotic behavior that requires medication to milder mood swings with disturbing ups and down, this book offers a warm and often humorous user-friend guide for coping with bipolar loved ones, colleagues, and friends. The book includes This important book contains real-life illustrative examples and a wealth of helpful strategies and coping mechanisms that can be put into action immediately.

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

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Linda Chernoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible resource for anyone who has a loved one who suffers from bipolar disorder. I cannot say enough about how it has helped me cope over the years. An essential staple on the bookshelf that I haven’t had to call upon for some time but would pick up again in a heartbeat if need be.

[Dina Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful overview. It can get a bit into the weeds about things like lists descriptions of medications but there is some helpful support for those caring for someone with BD.

[Brooke Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book easily could have been a quick read, but I decided to take my time and really absorb all the information it had to offer. The history of BD may not seem important to some, however I found that it gave me a sense of gratitude to see how much treatment has grown for the ones we love who are living with this diagnosis. The description of various medications and therapies helped inform me of options that are available to take advantage of. As a partner of someone with BD this book helped open my eyes to better see the world from their perspective. Section 2 offered great insight on how to better support, advocate, and communicate with your loved one. There are so many great takeaways from this book and I know it will be one I turn to often for support as I help my partner navigate their mental health journey!

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource of resources for - get this - living with someone who's living with Bipolar Disorder. :) It really is a great book with very useful information. I highly recommend it even for those who actually have Bipolar Disorder so they can understand a little bit better how their loved one's perspective is as their own symptoms surface.

[CC Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some good insight for people who may not be aware what bi polar is and thoughtfully written . Some of the stuff is a bit older which necessarily isn’t great for all BPD people as many cases differ but I see the intent.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book educating on bipolar disorder and how to manage living with someone who is bipolar. It has very easy to understand facts and step by step guidelines.

[Jon Moskal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed at 42 years of age. I wished it was 25. This book was a life saver to my marriage.

[Lilith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings a lot of insight into bipolar disorder and how to relate to a person with it. Reading the book challenged my norms. For example, I'm used to holding people responsible for managing their own emotions; however, a person with BD suffers from mood swings and other ways that BD affects their emotions. This book encourages a more supportive approach by giving practical help. It tells the kind of resources and common treatments, as well as ways that an individual can help (rather than just referring).

One section that I appreciated is an overview of basic good communication skills that are important in any relationship, and also helpful in relating to someone with BD. Thes skills include (from pgs. 132ff):

"I" statements
Listen and reflect back
Share feelings and understandings
Talk to solve problems, not to win arguments
Offer sympathy

Other supportive strategies (pgs 136ff):

Use positive reinforcement
Voice your high expectations
Turn negatives into positives
Avoid no-win situations (questions like, "are you crazy?")
Avoid inappropriate anticipation (vague answers that allow negative messages to be read into it)
Act "as if" (if you want to be a patient person, fake it til you make it)

Overall, this book gave me a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder, common treatments and practical ways I can relate to someone with BD.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked "Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" better than this book, but mostly because it was short and sweet. This book is longer, but contains pretty much the same information. It is, as the title implies, somewhat more directed toward people who live with people with BD. Adding to the length of the book are little passages titled "Living with BD" that purport to be stories of real people dealing with partners with BD. They seemed anecdotal to me, but some folks may find them helpful. If you remember, I liked "Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" specifically because it didn't have personal stories. The other problem I had with this book is it seems to concentrate on Bipolar 1, the more severe type of the disease. As such, it's much scarier, as you imagine yourself trapped in a household with someone who swings between suicidal depression and manic rage. Both books contain Western-based medical advice and I would recommend either for each's intended audience.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a lot of good information in it, but it's not exactly what I was looking for. I wanted coping strategies and tips about triggers and lifestyle. This did have some of that but a large majority talked about the history of bipolar, brain chemistry, getting a diagnosis, choosing a therapist, how to inform friends and family that you are bipolar, and pages of information about different drugs used (or that shouldn't be used) to treat the illness. All interesting stuff (sort of), but not much relevant to my situation. I just skimmed it, though I don't regret having it to keep on my bookshelf if I ever need a reference of the type.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful but not particularly compelling book on living with someone who suffers with Bipolar 1 or 2 (but primarily 1). Much of the information I'd read in other places; I most appreciated the personal stories which helped me either (a) feel like I wasn't alone, or (b) reminded me that we could be a lot worse off than we are.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's probably OK for what it's for, which is for people whose partners have BP; the background info on the disorder is useful but there's not a lot of advice for people living with people not their romantic partners.

[Ledia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a few friends with this disorder.It really helped my understand the Bipolar Disorder better. It can really help me defuse a situation if it happens. I can also spot the signs better too. This book really makes me care more about these people.

[Doug Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book with good insight. I recommend reading if you live with or know someone who is bipolar.

[Jerrilynn Lilyblade]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11650288

[Jacqui Jacoby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good presentation of the difficult subject.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves someone with Bipolar Disorder or even to somebody with the diagnosis themselves. It is a very insightful read.