Book Review - Coping with Bipolar Disorder...

If you are a normal human being, you probably don't have a lot of time to devote to delving deeply into the why's and wherefore's of an illness. Your first desire may be to get a good broad overview that encompasses the entire subject. As a supporter of a person who suffers from a mental illness, you may not want to read an exhaustive encyclopedia to understand your friend or loved one. If you are suffering from a mental illness or struggling with something like depression personally, you may not be interested in becoming a medical professional just to understand your disorder.

That's why I look for a good book that quickly summarizes all the aspects of a disease in easy to understand language to begin my research. Then when I feel I have a basic grasp I may begin to dig a little deeper. This is why I am writing this review. I want to share with you a book that I think will do a wonderful job of acquainting you with all aspects of bipolar disorder. This book is written for the ordinary garden-variety person who wants to know what bipolar is.

 "Coping with Bipolar Disorder and Manic-Depressive Illness" was written by Joann Jovinelly in 2001. It is published by the Rosen Publishing Group, New York. This publishing group includes this book in a series that all begin with, "Coping with..." Other titles include Abusive Relationship, Allergies, Chemotherapy, Eating Disorders, Media Violence, Mental Illness, Rejection, Stress, Tourette Syndrome, Vision Disorders and many more.

I found this 92-page book in my local library. I consider this size of book to be slightly more than a booklet. I believe it provides  an excellent overview on the topic of Bipolar Disorder.

The introduction opens with the quote, "The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter and one of anguish." Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

The first chapter, Recognizing Mental Illness, gives a brief history of Bipolar Disorder by quoting Fifth Century Hippocrates about feelings of restlessness, despondency, sleeplessness, irritability and melancholia. Moving to the Roman Empire and through the eighteenth century I'm sure you would recognize some of the struggles in describing this puzzling disorder. Finally she quotes some recent research that connects this condition to substance abuse.

The second chapter explains and lists symptoms of mania. Interspersed in the descriptions are personal statements from patients about their own experiences. The third chapter focuses on depression, its description, and more personal statements from patients who experienced depression.

Chapter four works to acquaint you with the varying divisions of Bipolar, such as Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothemic Disorder, Rapid-Cycling Disorder, and Shadow Syndromes such as Seasonal Affect Disorder. It discusses genetic tendencies and the function of the brain in bipolar diagnosise.

Chapter 5 is a guide for seeking professional help. It explains the various degrees of the professionals and what they mean. It also touches on a few types of therapy used by these professionals. Chapters 6 and 7 are devoted to the drug therapies used by physicians for treating bipolar disorder. Chapter 6 discusses the mood stabilizers while chapter 7 acquaints you with antidepressants and antipsychotics.

The final chapter in the book looks at ways to live with our bipolar diagnosis. It touches on common sense topics such as diet and nutrition, sleep cycles, exercise, avoiding alcohol, and forming a support structure of friends and family.

Also included at the end of the book is a page for further reading, an index, a glossary of terms, and a page listing orginzations in the US and Canada you can turn to for help. Listed with each organization is its website.

Overall, I found this book to be easy to read and easy to understand. This may be a fine book to recommend to your friends, family and co-workers who really want to understand what bipolar disorder is all about.