Bipolar Disorder: Insights for Recovery

Rating:
Summary: Facing The Daily Challenge of Mania & Depression
Review: As a reader, also diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, I appreciate Dr. Mountains Insights for Recovery. The concept that a person can experience both mania and depression at the same time is right on! This idea is explored with a graph on page 108. Dr. Mountain is straight forward and frank when discussing her own illness. She presents an accurate, medically based, and level headed approach to recovery and offers hope to her readers. Advocating for health and wellness, she supports grass root organizations and consumer driven programs that promote recovery.

Rating:
Summary: Illness And Recovery Thanks To A Gentle Woman
Review: As a survivor of manic depression myself, I must commend Dr. Mountain. Her book is an immensely valuable public service. She explains the disease to lay people even though she is an experienced physician.

I don't mean to dwell on myself, but I must say I am a writer by trade. Many writers have been diagnosed with this frightful disease. Dr. Mountain hit the nail on the head when she said the following on page 16 about what a manic phase feels like:

"Life felt like a dense atmosphere of swirling gray smog that threatened to suffocate me."

That's how I felt during my manic phases before lithium brought relief. I would go on shopping binges. I would lie awake nights thinking terrible thoughts about George Bush's family trying to control my thoughts. Oooh, how it influenced my writing negatively! I started rambling on about my old college professors having ties to the CIA. Thank G'd for lithium and now Prozac.

Thank you again, Dr. Mountain. You should couple YOUR writing with the lecture circuit. How I'd love to write an article in my Probe newsletter about your gentle approach to this horrible disease! Please start giving lectures around North America. I will be there to spread the word. I got your back, kiddo.

Rating:
Summary: A unique perspective on bipolar Disorder
Review: It says on the cover that Jane Mountain is a doctor, but she sure doesn't write like one! Her book is really down-to-earth and easy to understand. It was fascinating to read a doctor's account of being a patient. Her recovery techniques are practical and realistic.