Living with bipolar disorder : strategies for balance and resilience

From the initial diagnosis through recovery and transformation, this handbook offers positive, real-life solutions and support from one who not only suffers from the condition herself but has experienced it with her mother and her daughter. Her handy guide offers firsthand advice on how to lead a fulfilling life despite having this debilitating mental-health condition. In a practical, candid tone, the book focuses on addressing personal questions that arise following a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Among the topics considered are the basics of functioning, living, and dealing with people on an everyday basis, how to negotiate treatment, handle family and friends, maintain a positive image, and make a living. Cover......Page 1 Halftitle......Page 2 Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Acknowledgements......Page 7 Contents......Page 10 Introduction......Page 15 1 What is Bipolar Disorder ?......Page 18 Hypomania......Page 19 Depression......Page 20 Accepting the Diagnosis......Page 23 Learning You Are Not Alone......Page 29 2 Depression: The Black Cloud......Page 38 Challenging Negative Thoughts......Page 42 Managing Depression......Page 44 3 A Personal Journey into a Psychiatric Ward......Page 48 Life on a Psychiatric Ward......Page 56 4 Family and Friends......Page 62 Inclusion - Meet the Health Professionals......Page 65 Family and Friends’ Reactions to Bipolar Disorder......Page 71 5 Positive Images......Page 77 Tips on Finding Positive Role Models......Page 81 Exercises to Increase Your Confidence and Positive Image......Page 83 6 The Recovery Process......Page 93 Tips to Increase Mental Health and Physical Health......Page 101 Is Alternative Medicine an Option?......Page 106 7 Disabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder - Case Studies......Page 121 How to Handle the Constant Roller Coaster of Mood Swings......Page 127 How to Turn Negative Feedback in the Workplace into Positive......Page 132 8 Enabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder......Page 136 Tapping into Your Creative Resources......Page 141 Confidence to Make Things Happen......Page 143 9 Networking with Health Professionals......Page 149 Best Way to Handle Doctors......Page 151 Keeping Your Family and Friends in the Loop......Page 152 10 Transformation......Page 154 Case Studies of Patients Who Live Successfully with Bipolar......Page 157 Finding the Strength to Continue to Grow after Each Manic Episode......Page 161 Recommended Reading......Page 164 Useful Websites......Page 167 Organizations Working with Mental Health......Page 169 About the Author......Page 190 About the Paintings......Page 192 Cover 1 Halftitle 2 Title 3 Copyright 4 Acknowledgements 7 Contents 10 Introduction 15 1 What is Bipolar Disorder ? 18 Mania 19 Hypomania 19 Depression 20 Accepting the Diagnosis 23 Learning You Are Not Alone 29 2 Depression: The Black Cloud 38 Challenging Negative Thoughts 42 Managing Depression 44 3 A Personal Journey into a Psychiatric Ward 48 Life on a Psychiatric Ward 56 4 Family and Friends 62 Inclusion - Meet the Health Professionals 65 Family and Friends’ Reactions to Bipolar Disorder 71 5 Positive Images 77 Tips on Finding Positive Role Models 81 Exercises to Increase Your Confidence and Positive Image 83 6 The Recovery Process 93 Tips to Increase Mental Health and Physical Health 101 Is Alternative Medicine an Option? 106 7 Disabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder - Case Studies 121 How to Handle the Constant Roller Coaster of Mood Swings 127 How to Turn Negative Feedback in the Workplace into Positive 132 8 Enabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder 136 Tapping into Your Creative Resources 141 Confidence to Make Things Happen 143 9 Networking with Health Professionals 149 Best Way to Handle Doctors 151 Keeping Your Family and Friends in the Loop 152 10 Transformation 154 Case Studies of Patients Who Live Successfully with Bipolar 157 Finding the Strength to Continue to Grow after Each Manic Episode 161 Recommended Reading 164 Useful Websites 167 Organizations Working with Mental Health 169 About the Author 190 About the Paintings 192 EBC,Converted

From the initial diagnosis through recovery and transformation, this handbook offers positive, real-life solutions and support from one who not only suffers from bipolar disorder herself but has experienced it with her mother and her daughter. Employing a practical, candid tone, the guide offers firsthand advice on how to lead a fulfilling life despite having this debilitating mental-health condition, with a special focus on addressing the personal questions that arise following diagnosis. Among the topics considered are the basics of functioning, living, and dealing with people on an everyday basis, how to negotiate treatment, handle family and friends, maintain a positive image, and make a living.

From the initial diagnosis through recovery and transformation, this handbook offers positive, real life solutions and support from one who not only suffers from bipolar disorder herself but has experienced it with her mother and her daughter. Employing a practical, candid tone, the guide offers firsthand advice on how to lead a fulfilling life despite having this debilitating mental health condition, with a special focus on addressing the personal questions that arise following diagnosis. Among the topics considered are the basics of functioning, living, and dealing with people on an everyday basis, how to negotiate treatment, handle family and friends, maintain a positive image, and make a living