Reviews (11)

Recommended
The paradox of bipolar disorder baffles its victims with its manic highs and depressive lows, plaguing as many as two million Americans. Since bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) has often been misdiagnosed as depression, many patients have had a difficult if not impossible task of understanding and managing this condition. WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN explores the nature of this illness, including who is at risk and where to get help. In simple terms, this often complex and devastating condition becomes comprehensible and hopefully manageable. Glad I read it!
I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being misdiagnosed with depression for 10 years and this book made a lot of sense.I liked that it addressed the suicide issue, because most books don't mention suicide hardly at all.It stated that bipolar disorder is the #1 reason for suicide in the U.S.The book is easy to read and very interesting for the bipolar person.I also read my husband some of the pertinent stuff I thought he should know.I learned a lot about ECT.It is obviously written by people who know what they're talking about.

Straight Answers...
Doctors, whose heads are cluttered with statistics, case studies, and theoretical jargon, often write books that are too heavy, boring, and technical for the average person to want to understand.My sincere thanks go to the Dell Publishers, who have had the intelligence to create a series of easy-to-read guides for educating the public about mental health.Read more

Subjects:  1. Affective disorders    2. Depression    3. Depression, Mental    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Manic-depressive illness    7. Mood Disorders    8. Popular works    9. Psychology    10. Reference    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (3)

Very insightful.
My friend was diagnosed as bipolar.
Most helpful
A guide that goes to the heart of the matter. One learns to fully relate to the person behind the illness.

What an Eye-Opener!
Some months ago, even before the book was published, I had the privilege of reading the Meehls' manuscript, and as I took in the information they presented I became aware that my son, now more than 40 years old, might perhaps be bipolar. Fortunately, I was able to convince him to see a diagnostician, and -- lo and behold -- the we discovered, indeed, that he has Bipolar Disorder with secondary schizophrenia. He is in treatment now, hanging in there and taking his medications, using the book as a daily guide to living. His friends (and even his kids) now say he's a changed person. There's no doubt in my mind that this concise guide can be a "life-saver" -- perhaps literally! -- for sufferers and a wonderful, practical, useful ongoing roadmap leading to a healing regimen of enormous value to family, friends and co-workers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Must Read
This book has important wisdom for parents and teachers. The authors write very compassionately and very professionally about the process of helping kids with a number of disorders that can interfere with learning. They are very helpful, and always respectful of the children whose learning patterns they are describing. This is a great book!! LO in New York

Excellent advice on dealing with your child's SI dysfunction
Authors Emmons and Anderson are both special education teachers, as well as moms of children with sensory integration difficulties, and it shows. Their insightful book offers excellent strategies for helping children with SI dysfunction, especially when it occurs concurrently with autism, Asperger's, ADHD or bi-polar disorder.

An Outstanding Book!
An easy to read comprehensive look at sensory dysfunction covering symptoms, definitions, diagnosis as well as assessments, curriculum strategies and modifications in the environment.A must have resource for parents, caregivers, educators and therapists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention-deficit hyperactivit    2. Autism in children    3. Children with Special Needs    4. Clinical Psychology    5. Developmentally disabled child    6. Developmentally disabled children    7. Education    8. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    9. Learning disabled children    10. Parenting - Hyperactivity    11. Sensory integration dysfunctio    12. Sensory integration dysfunction in children    13. Special Education - Communicative Disorders    14. Special Education - Learning Disabled    15. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    16. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (40)

A Deeper, Truer Look At Bipolarity (And A Young Woman's Life)
I've re-read this book twice since discovering it. I continued to admire its emotional authenticity and intellectual clarity, which wind up allowing the reader to get beyond the wealth of misconceptions that surround bipolarity. This book goes way deeper and further than most personal-experience books on medical/emotional conditions.

Useful Addition to What is Already Out There
Detour provides another perspective for those who are bipolar or have a loved one who is bipolar. There are other books out there that cover the science and case studies of the disorder. This is a much more personal book. I certainly don't think it is the only book you should read on the subject. Beware that the focus is on the under 35, college educated, relatively recently diagnosed bipolar person. If you are that person you need to read this book. It is a very quick read and well worth the effort.

Detour
I thought that I would be able to relate to Simon's book as I have a few things in common with her.I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at nineteen after experiencing a manic episode induced by antidepressants.I too have felt quite lonely at times; I've found myself wishing I had a friend who could relate to my experiences with bipolar disorder.I thought the book would be encouraging, and in a way it is.After reading it you remember that you aren't alone, that other teenagers and young adults have struggled with this disorder and they've survived.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Manic-depressive illness    6. Manic-depressive persons    7. Patients    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Popular works    10. Simon, Lizzie    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Women    15. Biography: general    16. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Mood Disorders    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - General    5. Psychotherapy - General    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Affective disorders    2. Depression, Mental    3. Life Sciences - Biophysics    4. Manic-depressive illness    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Psychiatry - General    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Medical / Psychiatry    11. Psychiatry   

Reviews (5)

A Definite MUST read - If your child has behavioral problems!
This book is great at explaining the differences between ADHD, and Child-Onset Bipolar disorders. It explains the different types of Child-Onset bipolar also.My son exhibits the Atypical Bipolar, which comes out in more aggressive, easily frustrated behaviors vs. typical manic / depressive stages.Bipolar in children is much different, than bipolar in adults!!!This book explains it so well, and I highly recommend it!! I highlighted so much of the book, and then took it to the doctor! Give it to the grandparents to read, your spouse, (your ex ;) and anyone who has a close relationship with your child.I have read several books on bipolar disorder in children... and this one is one of the best!!

wow. an EYE OPENER
my daughter was misdiagnosed as having ADHD/Oppositional Defiance Disorder. for two years she suffered through medications that made her feel worse and as her mother, i suffered right along with her. i got this book delivered today and read it from cover to cover IN TEARS because FINALLY everything made sense. my daughter is finally stable on the right combo of medications. this book is very informative and easy to read. most of the info i already knew but some i had to look up and research further. this book put my mind at ease in knowing we are finally on the right track. well worth every penny. thank you Dr. Isaac.

A must read
This is one of the Best books I have read about early onset Bipolar Disorder it describes my child exactly. I hope every parent and doctor read this book to understand not every child acting out has been abused or the parents are no good sometimes it is mental illness. I plan on buying several copies and handing them out to people, doctors and teachers that don't understand why my child is acting the way he is.Thank You sooo much for this book, it has helped me in so many ways . I hope it helps many others. PLEASE read this book if you know any child that is "out of control" it might be BP. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - Child    2. Mental Illness    3. Mood Disorders    4. Psychology    5. Child & developmental psychology   

Reviews (1)

Boston University Review
"..offer .. hope for the future..presents his views without bias.. chapters are thorough and informative without being technical.. segment on grief touched on all its stages from shock to denial, from bargaining to anger, from guilt to acceptance.That these schema affect 'just about everyone' is a fact - how their effects help to define mental illness is the facinating part.The author goes on to help the reader understand his/her schema in various ways..powerfully presents a first hand accountof his own process to not only understand his schema but also reducing the effects they played in his illness.Another important segment has to do with journaling..the details of each excercise and how it can be used on the road to recovery is very enlightening.Throughout the book he evokes moments of anger, sadness, love and a host of emotions on his road to recovery.The reader comes away with the feeling of wanting to know more about his life." From Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, published by Boston University, Vol. 28 No. 2Fall 2004 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Mental Health    4. Mental Illness    5. Coping with illness    6. Medical / Mental Health    7. Mental Illness: A Guide to Recovery,Bob Bennett,Trafford Publishing,04-1126,041126,1-4120-3299-7,1412032997,mental illness,schizophrenia,bipolar,depression,borderline,personality disorder,recovery,schemas,grief,alternative treatments,the brain,plea bargai    8. Psychiatry   

Reviews (4)

A Must Read
Although The Bipolar Child had great insight as to why my child was diagnosed ADHD at 6 and then rediagnosed Bipolar at age 14, I found this book to be extremely helpful as to what needs to follow now that my son is Bipolar.I have to agree with one of the other reviews written, that this book contains information parents are "assumed" to already know, when in fact, we do not.If you have a child suffering from Bipolar or depression, I highly recommend reading this book.

Great book for parents.
I work as an inpatient clinician on a child/adolescent unit.This book answers the questions and gives the guidance I am frequently asked for.Clearly it is a book that was written by very knowledgable professionals who have a compasionate understanding for what the overwhelmed parents of these children need. It is clearly written and full of practical advice and useful tools. I strongly recommend it for anyone with a child/teen with a mood problem.If you know one of these parents-buy it as a gift for them-they are probably too busy dealing with their life to get it for themselves.

Realistic, Informed, and Practical
As the mother of a bipolar child, I've read just about everything available. While "The Bipolar Child" informs about childhood bipolar disorder, "Raising A Moody Child" assumes that, as parents, we already know about the disorder and now need nuts-and-bolts coping strategies and techniques. (Am not knocking "The Bipolar Child." It was a necessary, groundbreaking book.)Read more

Subjects:  1. Child psychology    2. Depression    3. Depression in children    4. Emotionally disturbed children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Manic-depressive illness in ch    9. Manic-depressive illness in children    10. Mood Disorders    11. Parenting - General    12. Popular works    13. Child & developmental psychology    14. Child care & upbringing    15. Coping with illness    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Family Therapy   

Subjects:  1. Depression, Mental    2. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    3. General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Manic-depressive illness    7. Mental Disorders    8. Mental Illness    9. Mood Disorders    10. Popular works    11. Psychology    12. Treatment   

Subjects:  1. Creativity    2. Mood Disorders    3. Psychology    4. Self-Help    5. Self-Help / Mood Disorders   

Reviews (13)

An insight into the roller coaster ride
This book contains a candid description of the experience of a manic episode and the social, career, family and financial devastation it can cause. I'm sure most bipolars will identify with Faye, and SOs of bipolars will get an insight into the illness that perhaps the rest of us don't always have the words to convey.
A touching story
Faye has written a touching and uplifting story about her struggle with bipolar disorder. She appears to have been afflicted with a pretty severe variety of the disorder, perhaps Bipolar I would be the proper diagnosis. The writing isn't as good as in the finest mental illness memoirs, such as "An Unquiet Mind" or "Girl, Interrupted", but she is still able to tell her story vividly and honestly. The reader is likely to find himself cheering for her, hoping she can get her life back together. Anyone with bipolar disorder should read this book. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Just The Book I Have Been Searching For...
I rate this book five stars!This well written and fascinating book is about the author's experience with mental illness. Her perspective helped me put into words so many feelings I had. I especially enjoyed the part where the author wrote from a psychotic viewpoint, which makes the book all the more unique.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Biography: general    7. Manic-depressive illness    8. Specific Groups    9. Depression    10. Manic depressive persons    11. Bipolar Disorder    12. Mental illness   

Reviews (5)

An essential starting point...
After more than a year of fear, confusion, anger and spousal disagreements regarding our child's behaviors, my wife and I separated. Then we found out that our 14-year-old is almost certainly suffering from bipolar disorder, not just depression (the first diagnosis) or anxiety (the second.) Now, from houses 25 miles apart, we are beginning the journey toward appropriate medications, appropriate school placement, and understanding. I bought this book a month ago, and it took the whole month to read it. At 400 pages, it is nothing if not comprehensive. And it is scary as hell, but comforting as well. Mitzi Waltz is herself the parent of a bipolar teen, and she has a great gift for translating medical and psychological jargon into plain English. If you are in the same boat as we are, or if you have a young relative recently diagnosed with BP, buy this volume right now. Buy several. The price is great for what you get, and I suspect you will be referring to it continuously for years. It is not focused exclusively on teenage patients, either. Kids as young as eight have now been diagnosed with this miserable brain chemistry imbalance, which seems to be a life-long condition once it manifests. The book creates much-needed sympathy for BP victims, whose attitudes, actions and unpredictable moods can be infuriating and can turn parents against each other as both try different approaches to keeping their child safe and stable and successful. So far, our path has included two psychiatrists, four different medications, a four-day stay for the daughter in a juvenile mental health center, two school systems and now a home-bound program, and much heartbreak, frustration, sadness and screaming. Mitzi's book is the single best tool I've found to help myself cope.

A Great Resource for Parents, Teachers and Doctors
Ms. Waltz has once again produced an excellent book that is clear and informative.In my practice of Psychiatry, I have found books like this are few and far between.I am using this book as a resource for all my Bipolar families.This book covers all topics related to Bipolar Disorderboth esoteric and day-to-day living issues.If you're a parent or a lovedone of a child (or adult)with Bipolar Disorder, read this.You will not gowrong.And after you're done, pass your copy onto your child's teacher ordoctor.It will help you all get together on the same page.It's criticalthat our kids get the help they need. This book will teach you how best toadvocate for your child.

This is an excellent guide for parents
Mitzi understands the relationship between parents and children who suffer from early-onset bipolar disorder.Her book addresses numerous issues that parents face on a day to day basis.She provides resources, support, andsolutions.Truly an excellent book and one that all parents of childrenwith bipolar disorder should keep at their fingers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent psychopathology    2. Clinical Child Psychology    3. Depression in adolescence    4. Depression in children    5. Developmental - Child    6. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    7. General    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Manic-depressive illness in ad    11. Manic-depressive illness in ch    12. Manic-depressive illness in children    13. Mental Illness    14. Psychology    15. Psychoses    16. Abnormal psychology    17. Advice on parenting    18. Clinical psychology    19. Coping with illness    20. Family & Relationships/General    21. Manic-depressive illness in adolescence    22. Popular medicine    23. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Illness    24. Psychology/Developmental - Child    25. Special Education - General   

Reviews (6)

Finally, a book about parenting those withcomplex needs
I thought Peggy Lou's book was great!! I have a son with down syndrome and autism and this book gave me so much information. Peggy Lou gave me encouragement about getting out in the world and not to be afraid to help my son make a difference in our community.I home school my son so getting out is good for both of us! She has great ideas all the way through her book about doctor visits, school meetings, going out in public, strategies that helped her with caregivers and the list goes on. She seems to be a wonderful mother and advocate!!!

A powerful, different system for gathering information about a child and planning for daily life
Here's a powerful, different system for gathering information about a child and planning for daily life: Morgan is both the parent of a complex child and a professional working with special-needs clients, so her dual expertise lends to a book which covers working more effectively with doctors, caregivers, and others. Create a life that supports both child and the entire family using the tips in Parenting Your Complex Child.
What the "Billy Rays" of the World Have To Teach Us
I am a friend of Peggy Lou Morgan and Larry her husband. I have worshiped with her in church and my wife, Dorothy, and I have been guests in their home. A more lengthy reviewwill be posted on Peggy's blogsite. This is a painful and personal account of her struggles to lovingly care for a human being others woould think unlovable.Her persistent struggle with herself and the world of professionals is carefully documented.This book should be required reading by the professionals whose lives touch the world of the "Billy Rays" and their caregivers.Her journey reminded me of the observation made by Professor Stanley Hauerwas of Duke University. He wrote of his worship experience with "retarded" people, people with Downs syndrome and the like.What he wrote stuck with me.He wrote that they have more to teach us about ourselves than themselves. What we truly are comes to the surface as we try to relate to them as Christ taught us.In essence it is this: To love another as Christ loved us is so difficult that we are made to realize that we must have the Lord's Spirit in us to even come close to being a loving person.The "Billy Rays" of the world, and other difficult persons, may be used by the Lord to test us.Only such encounters with "the fourth kind" (?) will we know if we pass the test of love. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attitudes    2. Care    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Children with Special Needs    5. Developmentally disabled children    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Parenting - General    9. Parents of children with disabilities    10. Services for    11. Child care & upbringing    12. Coping with disability   

Subjects:  1. Electronics - Digital    2. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    3. Engineering - Mechanical    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Technology / Engineering / Electrical    8. Technology-Engineering - Mechanical   

Reviews (12)

A bizarre depiction of Bipolar Illness
As a longtime sufferer of Bipolar Illness, I found this account overly dramatic and somewhat misleading.First, Mark (the patient) is depicted as a pampered, privileged son of a doting, schizophrenigenic mother and a cold, unfeeling father.These superfluous characterizations make it difficult for the reader to curry any sympathy for any of them.Secondly, the presentation of his illness is uncharacteristic of most cases of Bipolar Illness.He clearly suffers severe delusions and hallucinations, but any periods of depression or manic excitement are practically non-existent.The book presents the illness more as a thought disorder than as an affective one.While there frequently is some overlap, this case presents more like schizophrenia.Lastly, the commentary by the mother is so sentimental as to be sappy.While the informational content is somewhat informative and entertaining, I would not choose this book as an authoritative source on Bipolar Illness.

One family's story
This is one family's unique story - do not buy this book for help. It's interesting; that's about it. Better yet - check it out from your local library and return it when you're done. Spend your money on reference materials that you will want to keep handy.

A Must-Read-Very Realistic
I've been looking for this book for a long time, having read it several years ago when I really needed to know I was not alone. The excellant format of personal experience balanced with factual medical information was extremely helpful, especially as it traces each step in the process from diagnosis to ultimately living with the disease of manic-depression - both for family and the "diagnosee".Read more

Subjects:  1. Berger, Mark    2. Biography    3. Family relationships    4. General    5. Manic-depressive persons    6. Mental Illness    7. Mental health    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - General    10. Self-Help    11. United States    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (1)

This book really made me stop and think
I have two young children with bipolar disorder so I was very interested to read about adults who are being treated with a childhood onset form of this illness.The book really drew me in because the writer tells not only about his patients but of his own children who suffer from bp as well.His insight in treating adults with this disorder was very helpful.He highlights the aspect of attentional difficulties with these patients and how it affected their functioning even when their moods were under control.This book gave me much food for thought and helped me identify some symptoms that I had previously overlooked in my own children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Child care & upbringing   

Subjects:  1. Mood Disorders    2. Psychology    3. Self-Help    4. Coping with illness   

Subjects:  1. Bipolar Disorder    2. Manic-depressive illness    3. Medical    4. Psychiatry - General    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Abnormal    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. Treatment    10. therapy    11. Psychiatry