Voices of Bipolar Disorder: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength

by Richard Day Gore (Editor), Juliann Garey (Editor), Judtih Cohen

Heartbreaking and yet humorous, this inspirational collection includes personal stories from more than 40 diverse people who are living with bipolar disorder—a condition that affects some five million Americans. Each story reveals strategies used to cope with the varying symptoms—from mania and depression to recklessness and listlessness—and offers insight into what it is like to have this mood instability disorder. Paired with essays from renowned medical researchers on the science of the disease and a comprehensive resources section on where to get help, these first-hand accounts illustrate the strength of the human spirit and offer the advice and encouragement essential to recovery. For those seeking bravery, consolation, strength, and understanding, this collection of stories is an invaluable and uplifting resource.

Genres: Mental Health

275 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2009

Reviews

[Rayni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A keeper. It took me a long time to read this.

I love the premise they use for this series of books. This book shows there is not just one face of bipolar. There are as many faces of bipolar as there are sufferers of bipolar. I like the fact they show the person is not the disease. You hear people say, "They are bipolar," or "I am bipolar." Do we hear people say, "They are cancer (or diabetes or any other disease)?" No. We hear, "They HAVE cancer." It should be, "They suffer from bipolar" or "They have bipolar."

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're new to this disorder, I would highly recommend this book. If not, it won't be new information, though it's always helpful to hear the views of others who have shared your experience.

[Rachel Boe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a daughter recently diagnosed with bipolar, this helped me understand a bit better what she may be dealing with. I loved that the stories were short clips of different people and their experiences. Reading others’ experiences helps me be compassionate and have a better understanding.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but no depth at all. Would rather have 5 in-depth first-person narratives than all these little 2- and 3-page snippets.

[Jordan Varey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up with a “Manic Depressive” (bipolar I) parent had a huge impact on me. It was really interesting to read inside perspectives from people living with the disorder as well as their caregivers/family members.

As an adult diagnosed with mental illness, I appreciated the stories of hope from people living similar experiences.

We need more books like this.

[Heather Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to hear people's stories of living with Bipolar Disorder

[Regina Spiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of inspirational, real life stories for those who have bipolar disorder or share in their lives.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As somebody with bipolar disorder, it's always interesting and sort of comforting to read the stories of other people who struggle and live with it. This book not only gives first hand accounts but also has narratives written by the parents and family members of people with bipolar and I loved that. If there was anything that I didn't like, it was the section in the front of the book that discussed a play where the main character had bipolar. I think it's great that the play was made but there's a difference between hearing from people with first hand experience (from being a loved one or from having it themselves) and hearing about the disorder from writers who went to the library and read books. Basically, there's an interesting disconnect that arises from doing research only and I think that turned me off to that section. I wanted to get to other people like me, not see an advertisement for something on Broadway.

[Edmund Davis-Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very up and down. Some stories are much than others. And bipolar (which I do have) is definitely a spectrum disorder. Also the long section in the beginning about the "Next to Normal" play is almost completely irrelevant.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

very insightful from the inside of a bipolar life to the outside of the people involved. I'd recommend this to anyone who isn't afraid to find out what people truely experience with this disorder.

[Megalion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its part of a series on compilations of individual experiences with a certain disease.

Encouraging but also scary in some.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honest writing as therapy.