Recommend books on bipolar (or bipolar 2)?

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brigette
January 22, 2009 - 10:00 am
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brigette
Total Posts: 8
Joined: 01-03-2009
Does anyone have any recommendations on books that they have read on bipolar/bipolar 2?


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brigette
brigette
January 22, 2009 - 10:00 am
Does anyone have any recommendations on books that they have read on bipolar/bipolar 2?


Lizabeth
January 22, 2009 - 6:39 pm
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Lizabeth
Total Posts: 146
Joined: 01-04-2009
Hi Brigitte. I can highly recommend "Why Am I Still Depressed" by Jim Phelps, MD, published by McGraw Hill. Its fairly recent and the author is absolutely honest about where and why he differs from the Psych. "Establishment". Of course, since Bipolar two isn't in the DSM manual, anyone that writes about has to be in some disagreement with the powers that be. You might also enjoy the "Geek Alert" Forum here on this website, some folks have posted links to interesting web sites. The 'geek' refers to our mental health issues, not computer problems.


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Lizabeth
Lizabeth
January 22, 2009 - 6:39 pm
Hi Brigitte. I can highly recommend "Why Am I Still Depressed" by Jim Phelps, MD, published by McGraw Hill. Its fairly recent and the author is absolutely honest about where and why he differs from the Psych. "Establishment". Of course, since Bipolar two isn't in the DSM manual, anyone that writes about has to be in some disagreement with the powers that be. You might also enjoy the "Geek Alert" Forum here on this website, some folks have posted links to interesting web sites. The 'geek' refers to our mental health issues, not computer problems.


JulesD
January 23, 2009 - 10:23 am
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JulesD
Total Posts: 133
Joined: 10-30-2007
Hi Brigette,

Reading about Bipolar is an EXCELLENT way to get your feet under you with this disorder. When I first got my diagnosis, I devoured every piece of literature I could get my eyeballs on. By the way, I am the Geek that dear Lizabeth mentioned. I love researching and understanding (and in turn, teaching) about topics that interest me.

Here are some books that I heartily recommend. I am "officially" Bipolar II. That's what they have to put on the code sheet (296.89) so that my insurance will pay for my treatment. My actual bipolar is a little more nuanced than that. Take a look at what I wrote about in my "geek alert" post.

Okay... less blather.. more books:

"Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (2nd Edition) " Francis Mark Mondimore

"Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know" John Mcmanamy

"An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness"
by Kay Redfield Jamison (This one is a true story of a person with Bipolar I, but is a fabulous read!)

I wish you the very best as you learn about this disorder. Knowledge is power.

Be well,
Jules


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JulesD
JulesD
January 23, 2009 - 10:23 am
Hi Brigette,

Reading about Bipolar is an EXCELLENT way to get your feet under you with this disorder. When I first got my diagnosis, I devoured every piece of literature I could get my eyeballs on. By the way, I am the Geek that dear Lizabeth mentioned. I love researching and understanding (and in turn, teaching) about topics that interest me.

Here are some books that I heartily recommend. I am "officially" Bipolar II. That's what they have to put on the code sheet (296.89) so that my insurance will pay for my treatment. My actual bipolar is a little more nuanced than that. Take a look at what I wrote about in my "geek alert" post.

Okay... less blather.. more books:

"Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (2nd Edition) " Francis Mark Mondimore

"Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know" John Mcmanamy

"An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness"
by Kay Redfield Jamison (This one is a true story of a person with Bipolar I, but is a fabulous read!)

I wish you the very best as you learn about this disorder. Knowledge is power.

Be well,
Jules


brigette
January 23, 2009 - 1:09 pm
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brigette
Total Posts: 8
Joined: 01-03-2009
Thank you for the recommendations.

I actually just purchased "An Unquiet Mind" several days ago.


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brigette
brigette
January 23, 2009 - 1:09 pm
Thank you for the recommendations.

I actually just purchased "An Unquiet Mind" several days ago.


Lizabeth
January 23, 2009 - 5:38 pm
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Lizabeth
Total Posts: 146
Joined: 01-04-2009
Hi Brigette; I have read "An Unquiet Mind" and while it is an excellent read, now that I am newly diagnosed with Bipolar two I have to keep the differences in the treatments and symptoms firmly in mind. I have a pathological fear of developing Bipolar One---now don't everyone jump on me, I said its a pathological fear. Also, I worked in Mental Health in the 1980s, that was before we had anything except Lithium to effectively treat Bipolar One, so if you couldn't tolerate Lithium---well lets say you visited me at my place of work. Sometimes real progress does get made, we just have to remember the "bad old days" enough to realize it.


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Lizabeth
Lizabeth
January 23, 2009 - 5:38 pm
Hi Brigette; I have read "An Unquiet Mind" and while it is an excellent read, now that I am newly diagnosed with Bipolar two I have to keep the differences in the treatments and symptoms firmly in mind. I have a pathological fear of developing Bipolar One---now don't everyone jump on me, I said its a pathological fear. Also, I worked in Mental Health in the 1980s, that was before we had anything except Lithium to effectively treat Bipolar One, so if you couldn't tolerate Lithium---well lets say you visited me at my place of work. Sometimes real progress does get made, we just have to remember the "bad old days" enough to realize it.


JulesD
January 23, 2009 - 7:41 pm
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JulesD
Total Posts: 133
Joined: 10-30-2007
Lizabeth,

You know, the more we post, the more we find that we have things in common with folks in this little community that we're developing here. You may have read in another post of mine that my original knee-jerk reaction to my Bipolar diagnosis was based on my prior experience in the mental health field. Because, as a young professional, I worked doing emergency psychiatric intake. I saw people at their very worst. I simply could not reconcile that picture of bipolar with my own situation. I thought that my pdoc was condemning me to a life of rotating, out-of-control in patient hospitalizations. I had a lot to learn.

My doctor had to do much assuring, combined with printing off many research papers for me read, so that I could to settle down and accept my diagnosis and to understand the difference between "soft" bipolar and bipolar I. AND... further more.... for me to understand that my experience of seeing people at their worst was not the norm. It was the exception.

You are so newly diagnosed. Please be gentle with yourself. You're getting the help that you need, finally. And, when things get scary, remember to breathe deeply through your nose and out through your mouth :)

Be well,
Jules



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JulesD
JulesD
January 23, 2009 - 7:41 pm
Lizabeth,

You know, the more we post, the more we find that we have things in common with folks in this little community that we're developing here. You may have read in another post of mine that my original knee-jerk reaction to my Bipolar diagnosis was based on my prior experience in the mental health field. Because, as a young professional, I worked doing emergency psychiatric intake. I saw people at their very worst. I simply could not reconcile that picture of bipolar with my own situation. I thought that my pdoc was condemning me to a life of rotating, out-of-control in patient hospitalizations. I had a lot to learn.

My doctor had to do much assuring, combined with printing off many research papers for me read, so that I could to settle down and accept my diagnosis and to understand the difference between "soft" bipolar and bipolar I. AND... further more.... for me to understand that my experience of seeing people at their worst was not the norm. It was the exception.

You are so newly diagnosed. Please be gentle with yourself. You're getting the help that you need, finally. And, when things get scary, remember to breathe deeply through your nose and out through your mouth :)

Be well,
Jules



Lizabeth
January 24, 2009 - 5:38 pm
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Lizabeth
Total Posts: 146
Joined: 01-04-2009
Thanks Jules: Breathing well here, husband just called to say he made it to Minneapolis without problems.


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Lizabeth
Lizabeth
January 24, 2009 - 5:38 pm
Thanks Jules: Breathing well here, husband just called to say he made it to Minneapolis without problems.


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