Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability

"This year I ended up in the hospital for severe re-current depression & anxiety- my outpatient psychologist & inpatient therapists all thought there was a mood disorder- but my awful doctor wouldn't hear of it. He put me on a lot of anti-depressants & shoved me out into the world 10 days later.

Everyone was pushing me to go back to work, but I didn't feel right. A month later I ended up in the ER for an overdose- not because I wanted to die- but because my Psychologist/Psychiatrist still knew there was a mood disorder & did nothing to treat it. You can only take so much of feeling like you're living for nothing with no control over yourself.

When I got out of my second inpatient hospital stay a week later, this book was the first thing I picked up. I highly recommend it- it's not just a one time read- it's a guide to go back and read up when you need help. This also helped my mom and the rest of my family tremendously with dealing with my mood swings & how to deal with me. I only wish I'd have picked this up when I had a good feeling I was probably Bipolar in the first place."
~ Written on 2008-09-03

"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. "
~ Written on 2008-08-17

"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.""
~ Written on 2008-08-17

"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."
~ Written on 2008-08-09

"As a mental health professional who specializes in the management and treatment of persons with bipolar spectrum disorders, I find this to be the most informative and helpful book on the subject. I keep copies available in my office to make sure my clients have a copy in hand when they begin treatment with me. Fast's personal insight and well developed coping skills make this the best resource for those recently diagnosed or who have been struggling for years to find ways to live with this disorder. Fast/Preston help to bring "order" out of disorder in a well organized and easy to read book. Families and friends find this book user friendly and the best source of answers to many questions. It is a must read not only for those challenged with bipolar disorder but also for those who live with, work with or seek a greater sensitivity for someone trying to take charge of their lives. Thanks for providing such a user friendly text which provides hope and help in all the areas which need attention. Vilda S. Brannen, MS, LPC, NCC"
~ Written on 2008-04-22