Bipolar Disorder Demystified Mastering the Tightrope of Manic Depression

by Castle, Lana R.; Whybrow, Peter C.

• ISBN13: 9781569245583
• ISBN10: 1569245584
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-30
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary

Each year, at least 2.3 million Americans suffer from severe bipolar disorder (manic depression), a brain disorder characterized by intense high and low moods, while an estimated 1013 million others suffer from its milder forms. In Bipolar Disorder Demystified, author Lana Castle, who has lived the better part of her life with this illness, has turned her personal experience into an eloquent and useful guide to all those who travel down the same path. In clear and honest language, Castle helps readers understand the true nature of bipolar disorder, the factors that complicate its diagnosis, and strategies for coping with the illness. Bipolar Disorder Demystified makes great strides in dispelling the mystery surrounding this illness, helping readers decide if it's time to seek treatment, and providing those with any form of mood disorder the information they need to better manage their lives.

Author Biography

Lana R. Castle is a writer, editor, speaker, and trainer who has lived with depression and bipolar disorder for over forty years. She and her husband live in Austin, Texas.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xvii
Peter C. Whybrow
Author's Note	xx
PART ONE: Living the Bipolar Life	1	(62)
Introduction: Welcome to the Tightrope	3	(1)
Mental Illness Myths	4	(1)
A Word or Two About Language	5	(1)
Why I Wrote This Book	6	(1)
Who Can Benefit From This Book	6	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	7	(1)
My Hopes	7	(2)
Strutting on the Tightrope: Mania and Hypomania	9	(14)
What Are Mania and Hypomania?	10	(12)
The Beginning Strands of Mania	22	(1)
Descending into Darkness: Depression	23	(13)
What Is Clinical Depression?	24	(10)
The Beginning Strands of Depression	34	(2)
Losing All Hope: Suicide	36	(12)
The Permanent ``Solution'' to Your Temporary Problem	37	(5)
The Folks You Leave Behind	42	(6)
Realizing There's a Problem: Recognition	48	(15)
Risks of Not Seeking Treatment	49	(2)
``Coming to Terms'' With Your Condition	51	(2)
Reasons People Put Off Treatment	53	(2)
Admitting You Need Help	55	(1)
Helping Others Recognize Your Need for Treatment	55	(3)
Finding Effective Treatment and Sticking With It	58	(1)
Hospitalization	59	(4)
PART TWO: Separating Strands	63	(102)
Probing the Pathology: Diagnosis	65	(19)
What Is a Mood Disorder?	66	(1)
Getting a Diagnosis	67	(4)
Types of Mood Disorders	71	(10)
Diagnostic Complications	81	(1)
Watching for Early Warning Signs	81	(3)
Untangling Complications: Mimicking and Co-occurring Conditions	84	(19)
Autoimmune Disorders	85	(2)
Cancer and Tumors	87	(2)
Endocrine Disorders	89	(3)
Infectious Diseases	92	(1)
Neurological Disorders	93	(2)
Other Psychiatric Disorders	95	(6)
Unexplained Conditions	101	(1)
Are Co-Occurring Conditions Related?	101	(2)
Uncovering Root Causes: Biochemistry and Genetics	103	(21)
Basic Brain Structure	104	(6)
Biochemistry	110	(6)
The Endocrine System	116	(3)
The Flexible Brain	119	(1)
Genetics	119	(5)
Delving Deep Inside: Personality	124	(13)
Temperament	124	(1)
Personality	125	(1)
Personality Theories	125	(1)
Genetic Contributions to Personality and Temperament	126	(1)
How Personality and Temperament Relate to Bipolar Disorder	127	(1)
Personality Disorders	128	(2)
Five Important Personality Concepts	130	(7)
Reflecting on Childhood: Upbringing	137	(14)
The ``Bad Parenting'' Myth	137	(1)
What Makes a Family ``Functional''?	138	(1)
What Makes a Family ``Dysfunctional''?	139	(1)
Types of Dysfunctional Families	139	(2)
Analyzing My Own Family	141	(2)
Family Communication	143	(2)
Family Discipline	145	(6)
Encountering Snarls: Stress and Trauma	151	(14)
Stress	151	(8)
Trauma	159	(2)
My Experiences of Stress and Trauma	161	(4)
PART THREE: Maintaining Balance	165	(180)
Building a Foundation: First Things First	167	(20)
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs	167	(2)
Sleep and Biorhythms	169	(3)
Nutrition	172	(10)
Drugs, Alcohol, and Nicotine	182	(1)
Exercise	183	(2)
Making Changes Gradually	185	(2)
Seeking Medical Treatment: Medications and Procedures	187	(22)
Finding the Right Doctor	188	(2)
Changing Doctors	190	(1)
Medication	190	(12)
Managing Medications	202	(3)
Electroconvulsive Therapy	205	(1)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation	206	(1)
Vagal Nerve Stimulation	207	(1)
Hospitalization	207	(2)
Expressing Your Emotions: ``Talk Therapy''	209	(15)
What's Involved in Psychotherapy	210	(1)
Individual Therapy	210	(9)
Group Therapy	219	(1)
Support Groups	220	(4)
Exploring Nonmedical Options: Alternatives and Complements	224	(27)
Dietary Supplements	225	(18)
Bodywork Options	243	(2)
Special Devices and Other Treatments	245	(6)
Finding Firmer Footing: Lifestyle Adjustments	251	(19)
Where Do I Start?	252	(1)
Living and Working in Safe Environments	253	(7)
Increasing Your Sense of Belonging	260	(2)
Developing a New Routine	262	(8)
Shifting Your Perspective: From Wishes to Reality	270	(14)
Setting Goals	271	(5)
Affirmations	276	(5)
Visualization	281	(3)
Being All That You Can Be: Creativity and Self-Fulfillment	284	(19)
Creativity and Madness	285	(9)
Creative or Expressive Therapies	294	(4)
Nonpsychiatric Options	298	(1)
Self-Fulfillment	299	(4)
Taking Leaps of Faith: Spirituality and Transcendence	303	(15)
Organized Religion	304	(1)
Religious Beliefs and Mood Disorders	305	(1)
Religious Approaches to Peer Support Groups	306	(3)
My Religious Upbringing	309	(1)
My Evolving Religious Views	310	(1)
Connecting with Your Spiritual Side	311	(6)
Transcendence	317	(1)
Helping Others: When Someone You Know Has a Mood Disorder	318	(13)
Showing Concern and Support	319	(1)
How to Tell When It's Time to Seek Help	320	(1)
Helping Someone Get Treatment	321	(2)
When Hospitalization Becomes Necessary	323	(3)
Helping Someone Cope After Hospitalization	326	(5)
Living Beyond Lables: Overcoming Stigma and Advocating for Change	331	(14)
Stigma from a Historical Perspective	332	(2)
Stigma in the Present	334	(3)
What Are the Results of Stigma?	337	(2)
Limitations Society Must Soon Resolve	339	(3)
Advocating for Better Treatment	342	(3)
EPILOGUE: Moving Toward Solid Ground	345	(7)
Mental Illness Myths Demystified	345	(5)
Reasons for Hope	350	(2)
Medications Appendix	352	(9)
Dosage Determinations	352	(1)
Half-Life Determinations	353	(1)
How to Use These Tables	354	(7)
Notes	361	(11)
Bibliography	372	(13)
Resources	385	(11)
Glossary	396	(19)
Acknowledgments	415	(4)
Index	419