Subjects:  1. Developmental - Child    2. Manic-depressive illness in ad    3. Manic-depressive illness in adolescence    4. Manic-depressive illness in ch    5. Manic-depressive illness in children    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    9. Abnormal psychology    10. Child & developmental psychology    11. Clinical psychology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Children with Special Needs    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Manic depressive illness in children    5. Mental Illness    6. Popular works    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Manic Depressive Illness    9. Child care & upbringing    10. Coping with illness    11. Popular medicine    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Illness   

Reviews (14)

Trite, But Not Without Merit.
Bipolar Disorder Demystified is the third book I've read on the subject of Bipolar Disorder.It's an easily read book covering everything from depression to hypomania, medication to the importance of vitamin consumption.The information in this book is expansive almost to the point of unnecessary.The chapter on Biochemistry and Genetics was informative.The chapter on Personality and the "Quadrants" of Perfectionism was senseless.
An overly self-referential book without much research into the malady.
It's stunning to see that this book has earned a 4.5-star rating from readers, given the fact that only the first paragraph under each header has anything to do with BPD generally: the rest is all about how the author had sex with her car's stick shift (!), smoked pot or whatever else is related, if only tangentially, to the subject at hand. This makes for a very tedious read, as it appears she has done little, if any, research beyond a mostly regurgitated recollection of what she learned in her therapy sessions.
very helpful
i found the book to be very helpful and understanding; it was easy to read, which is very helpful for someone with bipolar disorder. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression    2. Manic-depressive illness    3. Mental Depression    4. Mood Disorders    5. Popular works    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help   

Reviews (1)

Great Easy Resource
This is the story, written autobiographical style, about a boy diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It takes you from the begining and answers frequently asked questions about the disorder. This book really helps you gain a perspective on having a disorder, especially highlighting the manic and depressive episodes. Highly recommended reading for anyone who may be, or will be working with individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Psychology    2. Children's All Ages - Psychology    3. Clinical Psychology    4. Manic-depressive illness in adolescence    5. Psychology    6. Social Issues - Depression & Mental Illness    7. Social Science - Psychology    8. Medical / Psychiatry / Child & Adolescent    9. Popular medicine    10. Psychiatry    11. Psychology | Clinical   

Reviews (7)

Not Helpful
A mom who lost her Bipolar son to suicide wrote this book based on her personal experience.It definately does not do what the subtitle says it does--give parents and professionals everything they need to know!I found that a new book, "If Your Child is Bipolar" gives great information on what parents need to do to take care of their Bipolar child and does a much, much better job."The Bipolar Child" should also be on the bookshelf of every parent with a child who is or might be Bipolar.

too personal
This book has some good info, but is a very personal perspective of one person's experience--and her child committed suicide!

Interesting, but very personal
While this book addresses many important topics related to childhood-onset Bipolar Disorder, it is also very closely tied to the author's personal experience of losing a child to the disorder.It provides one parent's perspective on medical treatment and suicide. It's can be a helpful resource, but could also be somewhat depressing for parents looking for solutions to their daily challenges.--Sheryl Gurrentz, co-author of "If Your Child is Bipolar--a parent to parent guide to living with and loving a Bipolar child" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-1989    2. Biography    3. Carlson, Ben,    4. General    5. Health    6. Manic-depressive illness in ch    7. Manic-depressive illness in children    8. Patients    9. Popular works    10. Psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology    12. United States    13. Attention Deficit Disorder    14. Carlson, Ben    15. Child Psychology    16. Depression In Children    17. Family & Relationships - Children with Special Needs    18. Manic Depressive Illness    19. Psychology & Psychiatry   

Reviews (6)

Helpful insights
The author suffers from bi-polar disorder and writes from a personal as well as a clinical perspective that is helpful.I have one family member who has been diagnosed as bi-polar and another who thinks she is probably hypo-manic.This book helps me understand both better.A better understanding lowers my frustration with things I have always found very difficult.The book also offers some hope by discussing treatments that do work.

What an awful book for such an important topic!
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about seven years ago.That said, I've tried to read everything I can get my hands on regarding the topic.The Jane Mountain book was just awful.It was written on a fifth-grade level, way too simplified and quite pedestrian.I was surprised since Mountain is a doctor as well as a sufferer.Kay Redfield Jamison, a doctor as well, did a much better job of lending insights into the disorder with "An Unquiet Mind", a seminal work in the field.I would highly recommend her book as well as the Mondimore book.His was clinical, detailed and insightful.The Mountain book was almost demeaning, it was really dumbed-down.I can't believe the high ranking it got, which is why I bought it in the first place.What a waste of time (even though the volume is so short and only took a few hours to read!)

excellent window into the life of person with bi-polar challenge
This book gives the reader much insight into the condition.Dr Mountain begins a facet of the disease with the medical terms used, then simplifies it so that the average person can clearly understand what is being dealt with.The fact that Dr Mountain has suffered from this allows her to clearly discribe "How it feels" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Self-Help   

Reviews (4)

More than a biography
As the other reviews here accurately explain, this slim volume encompasses much more than an insightful look at how his father's long-misdiagnosed mental illness affected the author and his family. That would be quite enough. Yet, while some scholarly writers have one idea and repeat it volume after volume, Hinshaw deftly delivers much more than the title suggests,weaving autobiography and biography, this country's rather checkered history of diagnosing and treating bi-polar disorder, the genetic and environmental factors of brain disorders, and much more.
A rare portrait of human development
Stephen Hinshaw demonstrated exceptional courage and scholarship in this passionately written portrayal of his father's struggle with bipolar disorder. Blending scientific perspectives with personal insights, Hinshaw provides a tour of his father's obstacles and triumphs. It is a compelling story about the far reaching implications of severe psychopathology yet it is firmly rooted in inspiring messages of hope and resilience. Hinshaw somehow manages to find the appropriate "voice" with personal accounts narrated within a larger context of science, philosophy, and public policy. It is exemplary in its passion, analysis, and vision for the future.

an excellent bipolar biography
This is an excellent book that anyone interested in bipolar disorder or mental illness in general should read.Hinshaw is an excellent writer and brings the details of his father's struggle with bipolar disorder richly to life.The effects of the disease on his father's entire existence are profound and complex- many details and nuances of the illness are described.The book is partly an indictment of the entire mental health field for not providing better care for his father.An interesting and complex read.Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1919-1995    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Depressed persons    5. Hinshaw, Virgil,    6. Manic-depressive illness    7. Manic-depressive persons    8. Mental Illness    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Psychology    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. United States    13. Biography: general    14. Coping with illness    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (3)

A prequel to the Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide?
This book preceded Miklowitz's very popular "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide".The question then arises: should you buy this book as well?I think the answer is yes.This book puts forth the family-focused treatment approach, and in doing so supplements the information in the "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide", which is more so directly about patients suffering from the disorder. Furthermore, this book is very well written and organized, and focuses upon a perhaps underappreciated means for treating the illness.Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Excellent reference, effective approach
Overall excellent reference for the background, progress, and prospects for bipolar disorder and its sufferers.As the book points out, along with appropriate medications, family support is critical to a favorable disease course.Education of the patient and family is the cornerstone of episodic recovery and the prevention of relapses (as much as is possible), and this book provides excellent, useful summary information as well as proven approaches for resolving difficult issues.Many of the tools described in the book such as active listening and basic problem solving skills have wide application beyond the FFT approach.Their application to bipolar patients and their families, though, requires great delicacy at times, and the authors provide helpful insights through actual clinical examples.Each bipolar case and family is different, and there are no universal cookie-cutter answers, but combined with recent pharmacological advances, this proposed approach provides the best hope for a favorable course. EXCELLENT
This is an excellent informational book for those who have bipolar disorder and their families.The book is designed to be used by mental health care professionals, and I most certainly encourage them to purchasethis book for a family treatment plan that will benefit their clients andthe client's family. The approach of the therapy takes the entire familyinto consideration.It is not just the individual with bipolar that goesthrough the trauma, but the entire family.The therapy educates thepatient and the family as to the disorder and its' attributes, gives thefamily ways of coping with the disorder and hospitalization, works onmedicinal compliance, and prepares the client and the family for any futureepisodes.Most importantly, it improves the communication of the familywhich leads to a healthier environment for the client as well as thefamily.This book is a definite must have for mental health care providersas well as clients and their families.Excellent Job Dr. Miklowitz.Bythe way, I have bipolar disorder and am a graduate student studying AgencyCounseling Education.I have every intention of using the methods in thisbook for my clients and myself.Well Worth The Money!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emotions    2. Family counseling    3. Manic-depressive illness    4. Mental Disorders    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    9. Treatment    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology    11. Psychotherapy   

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Manic-depressive illness in children    6. Mental Illness    7. Parenting    8. Psychopathology - Manic Depressive Illness    9. Child care & upbringing   

Reviews (6)

Don't bother-there are better books available
I find this book very hard to read due to all of the typos, left out words, misspellings, and poor grammar. Additionally, much of the book is a series of lists of symptoms or signs without much explanation. The author does provide many web site listings where you can get more (and much better) information though. I would not recommend this book at all as it would be a waste of money.
e-book still has typos and grammatical errors
Dr. Bunch defended the hard copy of his book by saying that his e-book does not have typos and grammatical errors. WRONG! You'd think he would get it right at some point. I didn't think the errors would be a big deal, but it makes the reader think that perhaps the doctor doesn't really know what he's talking about.
SOMEONE WHO CLEARLY KNOWS AND CARES
What I liked about this book is that the author is really an expert about soft bipolar.I've been suffering for more than 20 years and STILL have not been properly diagnosed, though I've seen many psychiatrists.I'm sure I'm suffering a form of soft bipolar, but this seems to be a problem most psychiatrists can't even label, much less help.They will throw all kinds of medicine at it though -- and just hope something sticks.I am glad to see someone pay attention to the various types of soft bipolar and pull all kinds of valuable information together in one book.My one caveat:all people like me want is HELP.The part about finding a good doctor or therapist -- which is, in a nutshell, call around and ask a bunch of questions about their experience and background -- is really too much to ask from someone sufferingfrom this disorder.It's hard to get organized; it's hard to speak up for yourself; it's hard to get to get to a doctor's appointment at all in the best of times!I honestly can't imagine any psychiatrist I've ever seen answering all these questions for someone who wasn't already a patient. I would go anywhere and pay anything to see a doctor who had this much knowledge and empathy -- there aren't many out there.You deserve much more than 5 stars for that, Dr. Bunch. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression    2. Mood Disorders    3. Psychology    4. Self-Help    5. Coping with illness    6. Family & Health    7. Self-Depression    8. Self-Help / Mood Disorders   

Reviews (19)

Survival Strategies for Parenting a Bipolar Child
This book is a must for any parent who has a child with Bipolar Disorder.After my son was diagnosed I have read wverything I can find on Early Onset Bipolar Disorder.There is not much out there but this is one of the best.Mr Lynn covers each topic in a straight forward manner and in an easy to read and apply manner.If any one you know has Early Onset Bipolar Disorder or Bipolar in general this book is a must!!

Almost 5 Stars
Pros
A great resource
This book address a variety of topics that parents of Bipolar children need to understand, including a lot of information on other conditions that often occur with Bipolar disorder.The more helpful resources for parents the better.This is a great book to have on your bookshelf.Sheryl Gurrentz, author of "If Your Child is Bipolar." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Depression in adolescence    3. Depression in children    4. Manic-depressive illness in ad    5. Manic-depressive illness in ch    6. Manic-depressive illness in children    7. Mental Illness    8. Parent And Child    9. Parenting - General    10. Pathological Psychology    11. Popular works    12. Psychology    13. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    14. Sociology - Marriage & Family    15. Advice on parenting    16. Child & developmental psychology    17. Clinical psychology    18. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (6)

Important tool for survival and understanding
Bipolar disorder is misunderstood by many and difficult to diagnose.Many of us living with a close friend or loved one with this disease find ourselves trying to escape hell without abandoning the individual altogether.Marlee's book gives insightful tools for coping with and understanding elements of this disease.Bipolar is not just someone flying off a building or crying for weeks on end.It is often the disease of verbal abusers, and until this disease is better treated and understood, we will contintue to abuse and be abused.Marlee gives us a path to enlightenment.

70 Signs and Symptoms.
This book is for those significant others whose loved ones suffer from Bipolar.Significant Others, are you lost in a world full of medical terminology without clear, concise, operational answers to your concerns for the welfare of your loved ones as well as yourself?If you have picked up every medical journal, every professional article, every documentation stating the symtomology factors pertaining to manic/depression, and still feel overwhelmed, uninformed, and empty-handed, this book is FOR YOU.This book is inspirational to those who suffer the wrath that those with Bipolar unintentionally impose on their loved ones.It is a step-by-step thorough guide for co-victims of this disorder to recognize the patterns of destructive behavior their loved ones endure, and how to respond appropriately to the manifestations of such behavior.I have been in a relationship with a loved one for several years, enduring the cycles of destructive behavior my husband would often project upon me, leaving me feeling guilty, hurt, abused, and neglected.After reading this book, I feel as though I am strong enough to face this illness with him, instead of running away, which is probably what a lot of co-victims of such disorder would like to do.This book allows the reader to see the person beyond the illness, and that there is help and hope, and that not one single person should ever have to suffer the effects of this mental illness alone.This book will provide the coping strategies to overcome such obstacles that mental illness will often present, and how such strategies will affect the loved one's perception and treatment toward the co-victim, who is suffering as much as the ill person (him)herself.
Best Book in this genre
The proven co-management techniques and honest insights into dealing with someone with bipolar are great.And so is customer service.I highly recommend this book.
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Reviews (1)

Karin Janiin, Author, Life Coach, Director of Mid-Hudson Women's network
Miss Whalen's book is a gift of love for the world. Extremely informative, captivating, and easy to comprehend, this book belongs in every home. Miss Whalen is a gifted writer and researcher. A plus!I cannot say enough great things about this book. [...]It took courage for her to write this book - I applaud her for standing up and telling her story.I've purchased several copies to share with my friends and family.Thank you Ruth for your courage and your gift, Karin Janin ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    7. Health & Fitness / General    8. Trafford,1-4120-5000-6,1412050006,04-2808,042808,anaphylaxis,caffeine allergy,psychosis,toxic dementia,creatine phosphokinase (CPK),ADHD,bipolar disorder,schizophrenia,anxiety,panic,PMS,   

Reviews (1)

Must read for the patient or concerned family memeber
Thank you for this important addition to the many many publications on bipolar disorder.This book contains a lot of very helpful technical information about the newest treatments, drugs and therapies available.It can be challenging, but is a great resource to help educate the patient or concerned loved one.Take it with you to the doctor and ask questions!Readers, take note - this was published in 2005!It has the newest information, unlike other books that continue to preach about outdated treatments! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Manic-depressive illness    2. Mental Health    3. Mood Disorders    4. Psychology    5. Treatment   

Editorial Review

In the space of a few months, 11-year-old Alex Raeburn is bounced among seven psychiatrists and prescribed even more drugs, among them Lithium and Depakote, after lashing out at his 5th-grade teacher. The doctors are swift to prescribe pills but slow to provide therapy, despite varying opinions on what the diagnosis may be--maybe depression, ADHD, or an anxiety disorder. While the family finds little relief from the medical establishment, author Paul Raeburn, Alex's dad, slowly admits that his lack of parenting and anger-management skills may have exacerbated his son's condition. Some of his temper tantrums, one of which involves flooding their kitchen, are as frightening as his son's manic episodes.Read more

Reviews (26)

Compelling reading
I could not put this book down.Within Paul Raeburn's personal story are a few critical and quotable summaries of the dilemmas that all parents of "different" children face, especially in regards to diagnosis and medications.Parents of bipolar children should read this book not as a "how-to" story, but to understand that we are not the only people living with this challenge.Every piece of information helps us put together our own life puzzles.

Brutally honest, most effective in showing America's mental health crisis
This book was hard to get through, not because of the writing, which was excellent, but because it was so relentlessly honest and upsetting.I don't think I've ever read a book where the author was quite so hard on himself or made himself out so poorly.I think he took on more blame than he needed to for his childrens' problems.
First Half Great, Second Half Defensive
The first half of this book is just wonderful.Written by an author with great skill, the book has the drama of a nonfiction book as he weaves together all the charcters and elements in the plot.His research about the disease brought out things I'd not learned yet in my journey with friends and loved ones with bipolar disorder. (Although he also left out some basic elements which, if included, would have balanced the presentation a bit more.)That he and his wife would divorce was "foreshadowed" powerfully.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Depression in children    5. Family    6. General    7. Manic-depressive illness in children    8. Mental Illness    9. Mental health    10. Patients    11. Psychology    12. Raeburn, Alex    13. Raeburn, Alicia    14. Raeburn, Paul    15. Specific Groups - Special Needs    16. United States    17. Medical / Psychiatry / Child & Adolescent   

Reviews (4)

An uneventful story
I have type-II bi-polar illness. Hypomania can be exhilarating and damaging. Depression can take away any hope you ever had that life can be worth living. This memoir, however, doesn't do much for me at all. I found that too much of the book was preocuppied with chronicling Mr. Pollard's living arrangements, and not enough was said about what contributed to the frequent changing of them. Mr. Pollard acknowledges that his hypomania has cost him jobs, friends, and finances but not enough is really said about the specific instances. I would have preferred more intimate detail instead of an overview. I did like the areas when the author delves into his childhood and early adulthood perfectionism and over-achieving tendencies, and how those relate to both his depression and his mania. Those were the spots were I felt there was a real connection to be made with the author. The rest (and by that I mean the majority) of the book was too flat for me. If it helps people in their understanding of bi-polar illness, that's great. If it helps a confused bi-polar seek treatment, that's also great. But for my money, if you are looking for a entertaining read about bi-polar, or a medical/personal view point, I would recommend Carrie Fisher's "The Best Awful", or Kay Redfield Jameson's "An Unquiet Mind". Oh, and like the author before me, I had pagination issues, too. But I got extra. Both page 7/8 and page 69/70 are repeated.

Short but bittersweet view of bipolar from the inside
From some accounts, one could gain the impression that hypomania and mixed states are not such a big deal: kind of "bipolar lite". Marc Pollard's unflinching account of the march of mental illness through his life should put paid to that notion for good. His "just the facts" approach, which subversively employs some of the skills of his training as an economist, will rattle some of us more than descriptions heavier on the hand-wringing and emotives.
A personal note to Marc Pollard
Marc:Read more

Subjects:  1. Mental Illness    2. Personal Memoirs    3. Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Biography: general   

Reviews (8)

If you have a substance abuse problem, a must read!
The author feels that many substance abusers have an underlying emotional problem like depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder etc.They really need to be treated for this in order to get the substance abuse under control. A great depression "primer"
A great "primer" on depression. This is the first book I read on depression after reading Darkness Visible, and I still think it's one of the best, especially as the author's daughter, who suffered from depression, contributed to it.

Real Life Explanation of Depressive Illness and it's Affects
This was the first work on depression authored with a real life perspective on the illness and its affects on "life" that I had read.Having been trained in the mental health field and being employed in a mental health related job, this was the first work to help me feel better about my own illness.It was so easy to be understanding and supportive of others with this illness, but when it came time for me to understand and to be caring for myself, it all but elluded me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety    2. Chemotherapy    3. Compulsive behavior    4. Depression    5. Depression, Mental    6. General    7. Manic-depressive illness    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - General    10. Coping with personal problems    11. Self-Help / Depression   

Reviews (1)

Nice Little Overview
I honestly think that there is such a vast difference between Depression and Bipolar Disorder, I think they should have just gone ahead and printed two separate books.
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Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Depression    3. Depression in adolescence    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Life Stages - Adolescence    6. Life Stages - Teenagers    7. Manic-depressive illness in ad    8. Manic-depressive illness in adolescence    9. Medical    10. Medical / Nursing    11. Parenting    12. Parenting - General    13. Pediatrics    14. Popular works    15. Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent    16. Child & developmental psychology    17. Child care & upbringing    18. Medical / Psychiatry / Child & Adolescent    19. Paediatric medicine    20. Psychology | Clinical   

Subjects:  1. Biological models    2. Biological psychiatry    3. Bipolar Disorder    4. Manic-depressive illness    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Mental Disorders    7. Mental Illness    8. Pathophysiology    9. Physiological Pathology    10. Psychiatry - General    11. Psychology    12. Clinical psychology    13. Medical / Psychiatry    14. Neurosciences    15. Psychiatry