Bipolar Disorder (3rd Edition): A Guide for Patients and Families

I found this book to be exactly what I was looking for: a complete overview of the aspects of Bipolar Disorder. The writing was concise, easy to read, and thorough. I do not have a single criticism. I learned so many things….just amazed by the completeness…..The chapters on medications are especially helpful and very informative.There are few tables or images – so no unnecessary filler.There is an end section:Resources• Suggested Reading list• Support and Advocacy Organizations• Internet ResourcesThere are many in-text superscript references, for which end-notes by chapter are listed: qty 237.There is a 10 page index.Here is the summary of contents:Part 1 Symptoms, Syndromes, and DiagnosesCh 1 Normal and Abnormal MoodCh 2 The Diagnoses of Bipolar DisorderCh 3 Bipolar Disorder and the DSM-5Ch 4 The Mood DiseasePart 2 TreatmentCh 5 The Plastic BrainCh 6 Mood-Stabilizing MedicationsCh 7 Antidepressant MedicationsCh 8 Antipsychotic MedicationsCh 9 More Medications, Hormones and Dietary SupplementsCh 10 Brain-Stimulation TreatmentsCh 11 Counseling and PsychotherapyCh 12 Treatment Approaches in Bipolar DisorderPart 3 Variations, Causes, ConnectionsCh 13 Bipolar Disorder in Children and AdolescentsCh 14 Women with Bipolar Disorder: Special ConsiderationsCh 15 Alcoholism and Drug AbuseCh 16 The Science of Cycles: ChronobiologyCh 17 The Genetics of Bipolar DisorderCh 18 Bipolar BiologyCh 19 Bipolar Disorder and CreativityPart 4 Getting Better and Staying WellCh 20 Living with Bipolar DisorderCh 21 Planning for EmergenciesCh 22 The Role of The FamilyCh 23 Looking AheadMy summary: excellent and highly recommended.

This is an incredibly well-written and useful book for those who suspect they have bipolar disorder, their family members, or those who have been diagnosed and would like to increase their self-efficacy and empower themselves in their treatment. I read it as a family member & loved one of someone with bipolar and as a medical provider, and found it helpful and interesting on both fronts. It provides interesting and in depth information at the medical level which is broken down to be read by both practitioners and lay people, but can also be skipped if people don't want to go so in depth. The information about different types of bipolar disorder is useful because while insurance doesn't always recognize them, as providers (and patients) we recognize that the disease isn't as simple as insurance companies or national organizations want to make it. The information about different treatment options and what to expect from them (in terms of efficacy and side effects) helps prepare patients and loved ones for the good and the bad, which I think gives everyone a better chance at success. Co-morbid conditions (accompanying diseases like ADHD, addiction, etc.) are also covered, which is important as many of us worry that bipolar is not the only mountain to climb. The resources provided are excellent, and I also liked the history as it helps explain a lot about the pharmacology, protocols, and the thinking about the disease itself.Of all the books out there, if you are going to buy only one, this should be it. Johns Hopkins is also a great resource in general for accurate and research-based information that is written for the public in a digestible manner, unlike many medical institutions and forums.

This book has been a huge help as a friend of mine discovered that he has Bipolar Disorder. As a friend, I wanted to understand this disorder. This book is just amazing. Before I purchased it, I ready about 10 samples from other books and they did not compare to this VERY DETAILED and HELPFUL BOOK.When I read this book, it was like I was asking questions about this disorder and a medical professional was answering the questions in great detail. **I enjoyed ALL of the chapters, for example in Chapter 1, this explains NORMAL MOOD to ABNORMAL MOOD. Then it gave a true case history of a patient with this mood disorder and the conversation she had with her doctor about treatments to help her regulate her moods to more normal moods -- there is help.Every chapter in this book is complete and helpful. This is a very comprehensive book and I highly recommend this if you have Bipolar, think you might have it or want to help a friend or family member who has it.Since this book I find so helpful and meaningful, I give it a solid 5 stars.

I found this book to be very informative. The only thing that was wrong or missing is information regarding the newer drugs for treatment other than that it was very helpful. It will hopefully make a difference in the way my psychiatrist will look at treatment plans for me as none have worked in the past. Very excited to show the findings in this book. Thank you.

I work at a psychiatric out-patient ward, and see many patients with bipolar disorder, and this well-written book has certainly increased my understanding of their problems, and helped me spot the critical symptoms when making the diagnosis. It has also been a great source of examples when informing my patients about the disease. Apart from that, you can clearly feel the author's humanity and humor; this is not a dry textbook, but actually a very entertaining read.

This is a great comprehensive look at bipolar disorder. It includes practical advice on how both the individual and their loved ones can deal with this illness. It goes into detail about treatment options and gives hope for better treatment in the future. It also gives an in depth look at the history and the science behind the diagnosis and treatment. Valuable and easy to read resource.

A hard read for a lay person. Still slogging through it. Good info, just does not read well. Great read if you want to go to sleep

This book has helped me a lot to learn more about Bipolar Disorder. I’d recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn deeper about this condition.