Rating: 
Summary: Everything you always wanted to know about bipolar disorder
Review:
Surviving Manic Depression
Torrey, E.F. and M.B. Knable. 2002. Surviving Manic Depression. Basic Books, NY
The authors have crafted an excellent, complete book describing the many aspects of Manic Depression (now called bipolar disorder). Symptoms, risk factors for relapse, possible causes, and treatments are all covered in detail. However, the book goes much further by giving interesting facts dug out of history and little-known research studies. If readers think they know everything about bipolar disorder, they are in for a delightful surprise when they study this fascinating text. The authors also provide short descriptions of many books and websites that would be of interest. Many of the books listed deal with how others have wrestled with the disease. Some of the people who wrote books about themselves are very educated and, in fact, are psychologists. Other books describe some famous people who have had manic depression: Rosemary Clooney, Virginia Woolf, Patty Duke, Abbie Hoffman, and major-league baseball player Jim Piersall.
Although the medical field has many medications for treating the highs and lows of this disease, the authors frankly admit that we are still at the try-it-and-see-if-it-works stage for knowing what to do.
The authors write, "After listening to individuals describe their experiences with mania, one is not surprised that they would wish to experience it again. Who would not like to have boundless energy, to need only two or three hours of sleep, to be capable of performing sexually for hours at a time, to experience music and sights more intensely than others, to be An Important Person?" Abbie Hoffman, the radical who founded the Yippies of the 60's, commented on the mania of the bipolar with, "There's no drug in the world that could take you to that level." Many people, including writer and psychologist Kay Jamison, would choose to have had manic depression if they were given a choice. People who have experienced the mania often do not and will not take their medication. Like a drug addict they will do anything to get that high again. Medication will control the disease in most people, but the patient will not take it.
Studies have shown manic depression to be associated with creativity--Creativity in bipolars and in their relatives. Most scientists believe multiple genes are involved in passing the condition along. Perhaps, one who receives less than all the responsible genes is blessed with unusual creativity; thus explaining why the relatives of the manic depressive are particularly creative.
Reducing stress may help reduce relapses. Regular exercise and regularly scheduled meals are two methods mentioned. Large studies have shown repeatedly the importance of getting a good night's sleep to prevent a recurrence of manic phase.
Some cultures have more-or-less established customs in which people seem to go crazy at times. The people have "sudden outbursts of motor action and screaming, along with violent attacks on people, animals and inanimate objects..." These celebrations have different names: amok throughout Southeast Asia, negrinegri in Papua New Guinea, and piblokto among the Arctic Eskimos.
Everyone with a connection to Manic Depression should read this book to get a more total view of the disorder.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointed
Review: As a parent with a bi-polar teen I was hoping for specific information on dealing with the illness. The title and info on this book lead me to believe there would be info on how a family copes and reacts to a member of the household with this order. Instead, there is alot of background information on the disorder and it basically says to stay on medication, which most people already know anyway. May be better suited for those not affected by the illness and dealing with it who are more interested in its history. It is not a manual for surviving.
Rating:
Summary: Latest findings on manic depression's causes and treatment
Review: Bipolar disorders's risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options are surveyed in a title which covers the historical treatment of the disorder, its special challenges, and the related problems which can affect individuals. From an assessment of drugs newly on the market to further references on websites and video, Surviving Manic Depression covers the latest findings on manic depression's causes and treatment.
Rating:
Summary: The book on Bipolar disorder
Review: Dr. Torrey's "Surviving Schizophrenia" has long been the "bible" for people suffering from that illness and their families. Now, thankfully, the author (who in a Washington Post porfile was called, 'the most famous psychiatrist in America') explains the complexities of manic depression in an understandable way that few come close to. For anyone who has or loves someone with manic depression, this is your manual. When it comes to this confounding condition, there are not always answers but what answers there are are in this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on bipolar disease
Review: Dr. Torrey's "Surviving Schizophrenia" has long been the "bible" for people suffering from that illness and their families. Now, thankfully, the author (who in a Washington Post profile was called 'the most famous psychiatrist in America') explains the complexities of manic depression (bipolar disease) in an understandable way that few come close to. For anyone who has or loves someone with manic depression, this is your manual. When it comes to this confounding condition, there are not always answers but what answers there are are in this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on bipolar disease
Review: Dr. Torrey's "Surviving Schizophrenia" has long been the "bible" for people suffering from that illness and their families. Now, thankfully, the author (who in a Washington Post profile was called 'the most famous psychiatrist in America') explains the complexities of manic depression (bipolar disease) in an understandable way that few come close to. For anyone who has or loves someone with manic depression, this is your manual. When it comes to this confounding condition, there are not always answers but what answers there are are in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you need to know about bipolar
Review: I bought several books on bipolar when my husband was diagnosed, and this was the absolute best for giving me up-to-date information on treatment, medication and everything else I wanted to know. I felt I knew almost as much as the doctors and could ask informed decisions. It is not an "easy read", but is full of great information. If someone you love is bipolar, get this book!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful introductory read for family of bipolar individual
Review: I bought this book to educate myself on Bipolar Disorder, having a brother who has been recently diagnosed. Because the nature of this illness is not 'cut and dry' and because what may work for one person doesn't work for another I feel it is very difficult to write a book that is all-encompassing when it comes to this disorder.I have read many books on BD in the past month and this one was my favorite from a family member's point of view. There were many parts of this book that pertained to our family's personal situation. The one thing I particularly found helpful was that the authors don't tend to 'sugar-coat' this illness as I have found in reading other books.
Rating:
Summary: A thorough guide to manic-depressive illness
Review: I found this book to provide a thorough, well-written description of manic-depressive illness, as well as practical advice for how to live with it. Nearly everyone will learn a lot about the disease by reading this book. It should be read by everyone with the illness, as well as their family and friends. Along with "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide", this is required reading for anyone who wants to gain a practical understanding of the illness. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book of Its Type
Review: I have read several intelligently written books on the subject of manic depression. I have suffered from the disorder for twenty-six years and have not been able to find a better book on the subject. Chances are the new paperback edition, which should be updated to include new medications, will be even better than this book. I have read several books by E. Fuller Torrey, who is, to my knowledge, America's most reliable and caring psychiatrist for the severely mentally ill.
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