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The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings

The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings
By Monica Ramirez Basco PhD

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Product Description

Mood swings may be a part of your life, but the struggle to control them doesn’t have to dominate it. Together with the right course of medication, The Bipolar Workbook can put you back in control. Dr. Monica Ramirez Basco has assembled a versatile toolkit of proven self-help strategies designed to help you recognize the early warning signs of relapse, resist the seductive pull of manic episodes, and escape the paralysis of depression. Whether you’re new to the diagnosis (and not quite sure it fits) or want to enhance your current treatment, this simple program puts you in charge. Easy-to-follow guidelines and worksheets help you identify problem areas and minimize their impact, including ways to:

 

*Reduce the recurrence and severity of your symptoms.

*Slow things down and get the sleep you need when mania strikes.

*Keep motivated and avoid procrastination when you’re depressed.

*Fine-tune medical treatments to maximize your gains.

*Rein in emotional reactions.

*Stay focused and achieve your goals.

 

Since every individual’s experience with bipolar disorder is unique, Dr. Basco encourages you to customize a plan that suits your needs. So take charge and make a better life.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #18697 in Books
  • Published on: 2005-12-21
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 252 pages

Features

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is widely agreed that when patients with bipolar disorder learn to manage the illness, the treatment, and their lives, much better results follow. But how to do this has rarely been specified. This workbook answers that need. Clearly written, easy to read, and loaded with specific suggestions, techniques, tools, and procedures that every patient can use, this book provides the best recommendations for people with bipolar illness that I have ever seen. I highly recommend it."--A. John Rush, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

"As someone involved with bipolar disorder as both a clinician and a parent, I know how important it is for people to learn to control and manage their symptoms instead of their disorder controlling them. This wonderful workbook is practical and easy to use--it will help people with the disorder make positive changes in their lives. In addition, family members will better be able to understand what their loved one is going through and what they can do to help."--Nancy Ferguson-Noyes, RN, CS, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist and mother of a 15-year-old with bipolar disorder

"Invaluable for people with bipolar disorder. Dr. Basco clearly lays out the 4-step plan to See It Coming, Take Precaution, Reduce Your Symptoms, and Check Your Progress. There is an excellent discussion of the issues that people face in coming to terms with the diagnosis. This excellent book will help people understand that getting the correct diagnosis is an opportunity to make sense of the past and prepare for the future. The Workbook is filled with excellent and easy-to-use forms that will be helpful in recognizing mood shifts, developing a plan of action, challenging unrealistically positive and negative thinking, and reducing the risk of acting out. People with bipolar disorder will find this to be a daily reminder of how much they can effectively help themselves live happier and more productive lives."--Robert L. Leahy, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

"Dr. Basco not only offers information about this very difficult illness, but also spells out strategic ways to cope and move forward with life. The Workbook is a beacon of hope for all those suffering from the ups and downs of this disorder."--Laura R., diagnosed 11 years ago

"For many people with bipolar disorder, if not most, medication management is only a partial solution. With this book, expert clinician and master educator Monica Ramirez Basco helps bipolar sufferers and their significant others play a more active role in managing the illness and reducing the risk of relapse. User friendly and a virtual gold mine of practical strategies, this workbook provides essential tools for mastering this all too puzzling illness."--Michael E. Thase, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

"The era of 'take your meds and shut up' is over. Yes, we need our meds, but we also require the personal skills to be smart and vigilant about our illness. Until now, bipolar came with no instruction manual. Dr Basco has delivered the hitchhiker’s guide. Thank heaven we don’t have to be helpless bystanders anymore."--John McManamy, editor and publisher, McMan's Depression and Bipolar Weekly

"This isn't the first book for people with bipolar disorder, but it's one of the best. Detailed and user-friendly, the workbook teaches readers how to recognize and control their symptoms, get over common barriers to coping, and improve their self-esteem. In short, it can help people with bipolar illness (and their family members) get more out of life."--Jan Scott, MD, FRCPsych, author of Overcoming Mood Swings

"The Bipolar Workbook is a powerful and easy-to-use companion to Basco and Rush’s groundbreaking book on CBT for bipolar disorder. The Workbook provides patients with a treasure trove of helpful strategies for managing bipolar symptoms and forestalling relapse, while the basic text is the essential resource for therapists who want to implement CBT in clinical practice with this population. Together, the two volumes significantly advance the use of psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder. I look forward to using these tools with my patients."--Jesse H. Wright, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine
 
"This workbook successfully guides patients through the course of their illness at an easy-to-understand level and is specific to various stages of the illness. It will help patients gain awareness, understanding, knowledge, and ownership of their illness....This is, undoubtedly, one of the best workbooks on bipolar disorder in a long time. It is thorough, realistic, and should be given to all bipolar patients as part of their treatment plan. Highly recommended! 5 stars!"--Doody's Review Service


"A practical, bottom line tool....The structure and focus that counselors struggle to impart to persons with bipolar disorder is effectively presented in this client-friendly workbook....The best part, in my view as a therapist, is the overall tone of the book, which is positive, encouraging, and empowering."--The Masters' Advocate

"This book will be extremely useful to patients and professionals....This is an excellent example of putting helpful, evidence-based tools and information in the hands of people (and, to a lesser extent, their family) who are experiencing a baffling disorder."--APA PsycCRITIQUES
 
"This is, undoubtedly, one of the best workbooks on bipolar disorder in a long time. It is thorough, realistic, and should be given to all bipolar patients as part of their treatment plan. Highly recommended. Five stars."--Doody's Review Service
 
"The book's greatest contribution is a set of chart templates that readers can use to track their behavior while in certain moods or circumstances."--Bp Magazine

About the Author

Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy, a clinical psychologist in private practice, and a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She is on the Psychology faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington, with a secondary appointment in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Her books include bestsellers Never Good Enough and The Bipolar Workbook.

Customer Reviews

wonderful5
I had been looking for a guide/workbook for this. Most books don't cover exercises in depth to help and the few guides I have found, frankly were written so poorly they were of no use.

Then I discovered the Bipolar workbook! All I can say is WOW! Lots of exercises for dealing with bipolar, depression. Dealing with the highs and the lows- or worse. Dealing with your diagnosis. Accepting it. (And I have never seen acceptance in any bipolar book)

Start 2006 off right and get this new book if you are bipolar or have a friend who is.

Excellent resource!5
I recommend this to all my clients with Bipolar Disorder that I see in my private practice. This well-written workbook allows clients to easily grasp how to recognize triggers and better manage symptoms. Medication management is only half the battle, and this workbook teaches clients to appropriately manage the other half.

A beginners outlook4
I enjoyed this book. I really wasnt aware of all my symptoms before a manic episode or before hitting a really low place. I got a chance to monitor and track where I was each day and thought the book provided an excellent source of education for people who are newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder. If you are more advanced in your studies with bipolar though and understand how it works, what happens, some parts may bore you. But the workbook part was excellent.