Living With Someone Who's Living With Bipolar Disorder A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers

by Lowe, Chelsea; Cohen, Bruce M.

• ISBN13: 9780470475669
• ISBN10: 0470475668
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-26
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

An essential resource for anyone who has a close relationship with a person who is bipolarThis book provides a much-needed resource for family and friends of the more than 5 million American adults suffering from bipolar disorder. From psychotic behavior that requires medication to milder mood swings with disturbing ups and down, this book offers a warm and often humorous user-friend guide for coping with bipolar loved ones, colleagues, and friends. The book includes Guidance for identifying bipolar disorder symptoms and how to get the diagnosis confirmed Strategies for dealing with rants, attacks, blame, depression, mania and other behaviors Crucial information on medication and its effectiveness and potential side-effects Techniques for dealing with attempts to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol How many people with bipolar disorders can care for themselves, get help, feel supported and go on with their own livesThis important book contains real-life illustrative examples and a wealth of helpful strategies and coping mechanisms that can be put into action immediately.

Author Biography

Chelsea Lowe is a health writer and essayist and the author of The Everything Health Guide to OCD. She has written feature articles and essays for NPR, Newsweek, Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, and other publications.

Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD, is emeritus director of the Harvard University– affiliated McLean Hospital and the Robertson-Steele Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cohen is a national leader in the study and treatment of bipolar disorders.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xiii
Understanding Bipolar Disorder	p. 1
What Is (and Isn't) Bipolar Disorder?	p. 3
A Brief, Colorful History (and Some Science) of Bipolar Disorder	p. 19
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis	p. 35
Understanding Medication	p. 53
Understanding Psychosocial Therapies and Medical Treatment Options	p. 71
Living with Your Partner	p. 87
Building a Support Team	p. 89
Bipolar Disorders and the Workplace	p. 107
Communication and Coping Skills	p. 127
Coping with Negative and Dangerous Behaviors	p. 147
Sex, Intimacy, and Relationship Issues	p. 161
Suicide Attempts, Hospitalization, and Commitment	p. 177
Family Matters	p. 193
Appendix: Excerpts from the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar Disorder	p. 209
Notes	p. 233
Resources	p. 237
About the Authors	p. 245
Index	p. 247
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.