Adult Bipolar Disorders: Understanding Your Diagnosis & Getting Help

By Mitzi Waltz

Bipolar disorders are changes in the brain and nervous system that cause severe mood swings, from the deepest suicidal depression to the most elevated euphoria. Approximately 2 million adults in the US have a bipolar disorder, according to the latest figures from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Worldwide prevalence hovers around 1 percent. Left untreated, bipolar disorders can plunge a person into absolute hell. Suicide is a possible outcome, as are school failure, limited job prospects, legal difficulties, and hospitalization. Families and communities pay a heavy toll when this disorder is not recognized and treated. Many traditional treatments, investigational medications, and complementary therapies can address symptoms and improve the lives of people with bipolar disorders. In some cases, the results are spectacular. Adult Bipolar Disorders: Understanding Your Diagnosis and Getting Help covers the range of topics that people need to know about in order to help themselves or a loved one: Describes the range of bipolar disorders Explains how to get a diagnosis, including descriptions of all diagnostic tests and checklists used by professionals Dispels myths and misconceptions about this very misunderstood disease Describes all medications, therapy, and other interventions, such as improving sleep patterns, preventing seasonal mood swings, diet, and supplements Explores family life with bipolar disorders Suggests ways to cope with diagnosis and treatment, including advice on support systems, insurance, and employment Lists extensive resources Author Mitzi Waltz, an advocate for adults and children with neurological disorders, has included the stories of dozens of people with bipolar disorders.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596500106
• ISBN13: 9780596500108
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Patient Center Guides
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

outstanding graduate level introduction

This is the best book on bipolarism that my (bipolar I) wife and i have ever read. It combines readability with many references to academic/medical studies and snippets from interviews of bipolars. The book is informative and detailed as well as compassionate. The anecdotal pieces are not vague musings about being bipolar, but rather personal experience to complement the scientific data of any given topice. The book does not forever dwell on what bipolarism is, but instead quickly details the disease then moves on to how to continue living with the highest possible quality of life when you have the disease. Like any good graduate text, it starts with the most basic information and quickly helps the reader up the learning curve of the topic to discuss the most advanced and recent research on how to deal with the illness. This book is outstanding.

Excellent book for taking control of mood swings!

I bought this expecting some kind of basic book on bipolar but it is so much more. The mood charts & advice on medicines and natural health are something I should have had years ago. Left me asking why I had to buy a book to find out these things, and thinking about buying another copy for my doctor.