Product Description

MANAGE YOUR MOODS. IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS. RECLAIM YOUR LIFE.Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are sent home with the name ofa doctor and prescription drugs. But few are able to manage their oftenout-of-control emotions with medication alone. Written by Julie A. Fast,who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age thirty-one, and bipolardisorder specialist John Preston, PsyD, TAKE CHARGE OF BIPOLAR DISORDERoffers a unique, personalized approach that teaches people with bipolardisorder and their loved ones to manage the illness and achieve dailystability. Fast and Preston's groundbreaking program combines medicationand supplements, lifestyle changes, behavior modifications, and otherindispensable management tools. Readers will learn how to: Understand thebehaviors caused by bipolar disorder Work with their doctors to find theright medications Develop a bipolar-friendly diet and exercise programRecognize the triggers and signs of major bipolar disorder symptoms to stopthe mood swings before they go too far.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23739 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
JULIE A. FAST is founder of Bipolar Happens, an internationally popular online resource for people with bipolar disorder that advocates treating the illness using both mainstream and proven comprehensive alternative therapies. Fast is a columnist for BP magazine and is the author, along with John Preston, PsyD, of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder. She herself was diagnosed with the disorder at young age. To learn more about Julie Fast, please visit her web site.

JOHN PRESTON, PSYD, ABPP is a faculty member of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Sacramento Campus. He has written eleven books on a variety of health topics. His book You Can Beat Depression, is endorsed by the National Mental Health Association as well as the chapter "Drugs in Psychiatry" in the Encyclopedia Americana. Preston is the recipient of the Mental Health Association's President's Award and is a national speaker and sought-after authority in the field of bipolar disorder.

Customer Reviews

Very Good Information on How to Manage Bipolar Disorder
This book has a nice overview of different ways one can better manage their bipolar disorder and find and maintain stability more easily. It shares a "prevention" approach to the illness, rather than a "reaction" approach, which is helpful to anyone who is willing to help themselves as much as they can. It does also talk about when one is experiencing the illness and different ways to plan for these times, and how to ask for help. Family members can also use this book to better understand their loved-one's illness.

If I could do this . . .
If I have to do all that is recommended in this book to feel well, I'd rather not feel well. Following all the advice in this book would be a great way to let bipolar disorder take over and control every aspect of your life. Reading this book was a very depressing experience for me. If I were to boil it down to one sentence, it would be: "To cope with bipolar disorder, you must let go of all your dreams, stick rigidly to a schedule and never, but never drink coffee or eat sugar again."

Great way to get some understanding from a bipolar viewpoint
My husband of 13 years was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. In an effort to try to understand his recent upheaval of our entire life, I bought this book. The author was bipolar herself and struggled for many years to get her life back together. It is easy to read and gives a lot of helpful hints for people like me. I gave it to my husband to read as well, and he really did find a lot of the suggestions to be helpful. There are lots of exercises you can do either together or alone, if the patient can be motivated enough to do them. It's definitely a great start to trying to get a handle on this disease from either the perspective of the patient or the loved one trying to help.