Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Informative Much Needed Book
Review: I am the webowner of "Bipolar Disorder Sanctuary" and was quite excited to have found this book, not only for the visitors to my website but for myself as well. It discusses the BP in great deal as well as treatment information and I found it quite educational. This disorder affects 10-15% of the U.S. population and is quite complicated. Many patients continue to suffer after many trials of medications. My hope is that more books like this will be available not only to the public but to educate clincians as well.
Rating: 
Summary: simplistic and dull--read An Unquiet Mind
Review: I found this book to be simplistic for anyone who had any knowledge of bipolar illness. Lithium is not the answer for every moodswing, as the author contends. Read other material and save your money.
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Summary: Manic-Depression (Bipolar Disorder) Can Be Overcome
Review: I have had severe Type 1 Manic Depression for 35 years. In 1994, I read Dr. Fieve's book, "Moodswing", during a relapse into depression for 9 months. I called his office in N.Y.C. on July 4th. His assistant, Nancy, called me back 2 hours later. With her help, Dr. Fieve's book, and new medication, I am now in remission. I also recommend Dr. Fieve's book, "Prozac", written in question & answer format to be extremely helpful. Maury Schiowitz, Group Leader, Manic Depressives of the Western Palm Beaches Support Group
Rating:
Summary: Clarification
Review: I haven't read this book (I had to rate the book in order to post here, hence my five-star review) , but I'd like to clarify two statements made by previous reviewers that are incorrect:1) Bipolar disorder does not affect 10-15% of the population. The usual estimate that is used is 1% of the population, but I've seen studies that have shown the prevalence rate to be anywhere from 0.4% to 1.5% of the general population. Even if you use a very loose definition of bipolar disorder (i.e., not strictly adhering to DSM criteria for Bipolar Disorder, but including patients who fall into the "Bipolar Spectrum") the point still remains that much less than 10% of the population sufefrs from this disorder. 2) In terms of Bipolar I versus Bipolar II: I haven't read the book, so I'm not sure if the examples used by the author to illustrate hypomania border on mania. I work in a Mood Disorders Clinic, and it is definitely true that in some instances it can be tricky to differentiate between a "mania" and a "hypomania". However, that being said, people whyo are hypomanic can very well irritate other people when they're high, and can cause "discomfort" to those around them. An episode CANNOT be termed a hypomania unless it is noticed by other people and is a very definite change in an individual's functioning. If someone who is hypomanic is telling inappropriate jokes or being hypersexual this might be uncomfortable for others, but it does not make that person manic-- these behaviours still fall within the realm of hypomania. In order to be manic you need to have psychotic symptoms, you need to be sick enough to be hospitalized, or you need to have engaged in behaviours that caused (or had the potential to cause) SIGNIFICANT problems for you or your family members. (This is in addition to other criteria outlined in the DSM). If you have an affair while you're high, and this is something that you never do when you're euthymic, this would count as a manic episode. Same goes for if you were fired from your job or disciplined at work because of behaviour when manic, or if you racked up significant debt due to impulsive shoping.
Rating:
Summary: Informative for a newcomer in journey to understanding.
Review: I was dual-diagnosed two years ago and prescribed prozac. After a recent and brief hospitalization, I was diagnosed as bipolar II and prescribed depakote. I checked this book out at the library and found it to be simple and informative. In my journey to understand my own depression, I will continue searching for more information and answers. I am becoming more aware of the numbers of people who are afflicted with some type of depression. I say this book is worth reading. Take what you can, leave the rest.
Rating: 
Summary: I THINK THAT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON MOOD DISORDERS.
Review: It was published in 1997 so it isn't the most recent of books however it is a good resourse. I didn't find it to "techy" to read. Also it is so important to understand your illness that if you run across concepts or words that you aren't familier with it is really important to familierize yourself with them for your own knowledge. Knowledge is power in managing your own health (and your own healthcare)
Rating:
Summary: I THINK THAT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON MOOD DISORDERS.
Review: It was published in 1997 so it isn't the most recent of books however it is a good resourse. I didn't find it to "techy" to read. Also it is so important to understand your illness that if you run across concepts or words that you aren't familier with it is really important to familierize yourself with them for your own knowledge. Knowledge is power in managing your own health (and your own healthcare)
Rating:
Summary: I THINK THAT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON MOOD DISORDERS.
Review: It was published in 1997 so it isn't the most recent of books however it is a good resourse. I didn't find it to "techy" to read. Also it is so important to understand your illness that if you run across concepts or words that you aren't familier with it is really important to familierize yourself with them for your own knowledge. Knowledge is power in managing your own health (and your own healthcare)
Rating: 
Summary: I Am Ambivalent About This Book
Review: Moodswing was given to me by my husband, who is also manic depressive. I am a severe Bipolar I, and have been disabled by this illness. In reading Moodswing, I found that Dr. Fieve had an optimism with which, given my personal circumstances, I could not agree. I would agree that Fieve has done some astounding research on the subject, and that this book is indeed groundbreaking. However, I find the tone to be overly optimistic. I do not reccommend it to other manic depressives
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Summary: Not the best or the Worst
Review: This book contained a lot of valuable information and insight but was poorly edited and at times annoying. I also felt that Dr. Fieve was labeling people who were Bipolar I, Bipoloar II. Anytime the illness affects your daily routine, job, or family in such a way as to cause those around you discomfort, it is more than hypomania, it is manic. I also feel that Dr. Fieve gave too much criticism to psychotherapy, and no, I'm not a therapists. The points that Dr. Fieve critisized pertaining to therapy may not be the therapy that that particular therapists engages in. The therapist may use an entirely different approach, such as education of the disorder and coping mechanism instead of digging in a person childhood. I really believed that Dr. Fieve should have researched different types of psychotherapy prior to passing judgement and making blanket statements.
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