New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder : Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions, Including: Proper Diagnosis of Depression & Manic-Depressive ..

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Summary: Book reviewer correction
Review: A very helpful source for information on this book and depressive disorders was noted by a reader from Bethesda. However the organization name is "DRADA" not "DRAGA". Depression and related affective disorders association.

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Summary: Can't seem to kick your "depression"? Read this.
Review: Bipolar disorder is often underdiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed as depression, particularly for people who have Bipolar II disorder (where severe depressive episodes are sandwiched between periods of mild or hypomania), who often feel sick and seek treatment only when they're depressed -- and thus are diagnosed as depressed or dysthymic. Without proper treatment of the bipolar disorder, things won't improve. This book really opened my eyes to what bipolar disorder is all about and why it is often hard to diagnose. On average, persons suffering from bipolar disorder see four psychiatrists and suffer for over ten years before they are diagnosed properly. This book is jam-packed with useful information -- facts on symptoms, common behaviors of sufferers, the different types of bipolar disorder, information on medication, and anecdotes from people suffering from bipolar and their families. It's also very clear and readable. I certainly wouldn't recommend self-diagnosis, but this book may help you help your psychiatrist make a proper diagnosis or help you understand a loved one.

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Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I am the webowner of Bipolar Disorder Today. This new book has educated me about the very latest information, treatment, research, medications, useful therapies, tools for parenting your bipolar child and much more. If you have bipolar disorder, this book will instruct you how to manage your illness. It has made a difference in my life. Many of my questions were answered in this book and it is very easy to read. Additional section for those who live with people with the bipolar disorder and one to assist the parent of a child with bipolar disorder. I cannot recommend this book enough

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Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I found this book quite enlightening and informative. It's filled with up-to-date information this is presented in a well-organized manner. As someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, I found it uplifting to learn more about what's wrong with me and see that progress is being made toward better treatments. This book should be read by bipolar patients, as well as their families and friends. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

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Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: New Hope For Bipolar Disorder offers a wealth of information for those with this disorder, their family and friends and any reader who wants a comprehensive understanding of this challenging illness. Written in language that is fluid, easy to understand and well organized, this book offers the reader a format that combines three different perspectives; each shedding light on the topic from their unique experiences. Information is comprehensive and presented in a manner that is packed with facts and yet easy to follow. This book provides a thorough discussion of symptoms, treatment and a solid basic understanding of the biology of the disorder. It offers good guidelines regarding attention to suicide. What makes this book different than other books on this topic is attention to the human side of the illness. These are clearly evidencedby Nancy's personal account, discussions of stigma, an examination of the subjective experience of optimism and pessimism, and a chapter that explores the stress in the relationships of those with bipolar disorder. Finally, New Hope for Bipolar Disorder presents a solid and focused discussion of psychotherapies that can be useful in treatment with those with this disorder and helping their loved ones. It details a discussio of cognitive-behavioral therapy with depression, and identifies the various strengths of couples therapy, individual therapy (for those with the disorder and/or those living with them), family and multiple family therapy. One of my closest friends was diagnosed with this disorder several years ago. This book has helped me tremendously to better understand her, to be more empathic with her and to better understand and be sensitive to my own reactions in our friendship. This book offers a wealth of information regarding bipolar disorder.

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Summary: A book that delivers its promise
Review: New Hope for People With Bipolar Disorder is a book that delivers its promise. The authors have contributed their understanding and extraordinary knowledge of manic-depressive illness to help those who suffer from this malady - to give them and their loved ones hope. There is also a cautionary note which details how the all too common failure to diagnose this disorder can disable and destroy lives. This is not done through the simple recitation of statistics, but rather by detailing personal accounts of those who have met the challenge and coped. If I read this book ten years ago, my life would be dramatically different today. So many persons would have been spared the pain my untreated illness brought them. And if everyone would read this book, so much of the stigma which inhibits sufferers from seeking treatment would dissipate and shame would be transformed to compassion.

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Summary: No new Info.
Review: Nothing new here and almost nothing about mania, hypomania and its various forms. Heavy focus on depression which is generally well understood. I felt nothing for the woman who supposedly has bipolar and cowrote the book--could not identify one bit. Nothing about the newer drugs which have been recommended to me and which led me to buy the book since it was about "new hope". Bunch of psychodrivel about taking charge of your life which might as well have been written by Tony Robbins. I don't want some motivational book. I was loooking for a more serious discussion.Save your money.

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Summary: A creative and authoritative state-of-the-art book.
Review: This creative, state-of-the-art book is an enormously valuable tool dealing with depression and demoralization (major problems of bipolar disorder). Written from three unique perspectives, it is certain to profoundly impact the lives of patients and their families. The authors provide the latest information about bipolar disorder and depression, including the most current treatment advances with medications and psychotherapy. Above all, they present experiences of patients who have survived this illness and live productive, heroic, and inspirational lives. The bottom line: Proper diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference. No one should feel shame or let mental illness define their life!

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Summary: Hopeless
Review: Unless you are a layperson and very new to bipolar disorder, this book is just a regurgitation of very old techniques. What's more, the regurgitation is often wrong. Anyone who has dealt with this illness for more than a year will know more than this book can teach them.

I would recommend almost any book over this one. Dr. Fieve's book Moodswing is particularly good, as is anything by Kay Jamison.

If all you want is a feel-good, fast read, not particularly enlightening book, this might be for you. Otherwise, keep looking. Anyone you know with bipolar, or you, if you are afflicted, will be thankful for it.