Bipolar Disorder: The Ultimate Guide

by Sarah Owen, Amanda Saunders

Overview

Written in a highly-accessible question and answer format, this comprehensive and compassionate guide draws on the latest research, a broad range of expert opinion, numerous real-life voices and personal experiences from people with bipolar. With a list of useful resources, it is both the perfect first port of call and a reference bible you can refer to time and time again.

From how to recognize the symptoms to how to explain to a child that their parent has been diagnosed, first cousins Amanda and Sarah – who have four close family members diagnosed with the condition – explore and explain absolutely everything that someone with bipolar disorder (and those who live with and love them) needs to know.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780745435
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	06/10/2019
Edition description:	2nd Edition, Revised
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.75(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Sarah Owen began her career in journalism in 1994 at Cosmopolitan magazine, before going freelance and writing health and wellbeing features for a range of newspapers and glossy magazines, including the Express, Daily Mail, Sunday Times, Marie Claire and Psychologies. Sarah has also been involved in creating online content and patient support programmes to help people manage long-term health conditions.

Bipolar Disorder is co-written with first cousin Amanda Saunders. Four members of their close family (Amanda’s mum; Sarah’s sister and late dad; their shared grandfather) have bipolar disorder.

Amanda Saunders has worked as a writer, editor and senior communications professional for almost thirty years. This has included writing for the National Childbirth Trust and working as head of internal communications at the London School of Economics, before more recently becoming a deputy director of communications at the House of Commons, a non-political role.

Bipolar Disorder is co-written with first cousin Sarah Owen. Four members of their close family (Amanda’s mum; Sarah’s sister and late dad; their shared grandfather) have bipolar disorder.

Table of Contents

With thanks… xi

A word Paul Abbott xv

A word Jo Crocker xviii

A word Professor Steven Jones xxi

Introduction: Is This Book for You? 1

Chapter 1 Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis 21

Q1 What is bipolar disorder? 21

Q2 Why was manic depression renamed bipolar disorder? 22

Q3 What is the difference between Bipolar I, II and III? 23

Q4 What is cyclothymia? 24

Q5 Is there an age or gender profile for people with bipolar disorder? 24

Q6 What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder? 25

Q7 What is depression? 28

Q8 What is hypomania? 31

Q9 What is a manic episode? 32

Q10 What is psychosis? 35

Q11 What are the mixed features of bipolar disorder? 37

Q12 What are the less recognized symptoms of bipolar disorder? 38

Q13 Are the symptoms of bipolar disorder linked to the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder? 41

Q14 What is schizoaffective disorder? 43

Q15 What is borderline personality disorder? 43

Q16 What is the link between bipolar disorder and addiction? 45

Q17 What impact does bipolar disorder have on someone's physical health? 45

Q18 Can bipolar disorder cause thyroid problems? 48

Q19 What causes bipolar disorder? 48

Q20 Is there an increased risk of bipolar disorder for other family members? 50

Q21 Is it possible to have genetic testing for bipolar disorder? 52

Q22 Is It possible for a child to have bipolar disorder? 54

Q23 Are the symptoms of bipolar disorder different in children? 57

Q24 Is bipolar disorder ever diagnosed in older adults? 59

Q25 Why is bipolar disorder often misdiagnosed? 60

Q26 What can someone do if they think a loved one might have undiagnosed bipolar disorder? 63

Q27 How is bipolar disorder usually diagnosed? 64

Q28 What happens once a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made? 67

Chapter 2 Treatment 71

Q29 What is the most effective way to treat bipolar disorder? 71

Q30 Are there official treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder? 73

Q31 What is psychological treatment, such as cognitive behavioural therapy? 75

Q32 How can someone with bipolar disorder get psychological treatment? 84

Q33 What drugs are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder? 87

Q34 What does someone with bipolar disorder (or someone with a family history of bipolar disorder) need to know about antidepressants? 93

Q35 What new drugs are in the pipeline for bipolar disorder? 95

Q36 Does someone with bipolar disorder need to take medication for the rest of his or her life? 97

Q37 Will drugs encourage weight gain? 100

Q38 How can someone with bipolar self-manage their treatment? 102

Q39 What is electroconvulsive therapy? 104

Q40 What is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation? 107

Q41 How can the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder be effectively treated? 107

Q42 What is the best course of action if a child shows symptoms of bipolar disorder? 108

Q43 Does treatment need to be different for older people who have bipolar disorder? 111

Q44 What is an 'advance decision'? 112

Chapter 3 Support 115

Q45 What professionals support someone with a bipolar diagnosis? 115

Q46 What is an advocate? 127

Q47 What role do family and friends play in the recovery of someone with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder? 128

Q48 On a practical level, how can family and friends help someone with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder? 131

Q49 On an emotional level, how can family and friends help someone with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder? 134

Q50 If someone with a bipolar diagnosis feels suicidal or is self-harming, what is the best course of action? 136

Q51 What is the best way for a loved one to cope during the really tough times? 144

Q52 What support do mental health charities offer? 149

Chapter 4 Hospital Care 152

Q53 What are psychiatric hospitals like? 152

Q54 What is an 'informal' patient in a psychiatric hospital? 160

Q55 What does it mean if somebody is sectioned? 160

Q56 Are there different types of sectioning procedures? 164

Q57 Can someone refuse to be sectioned? 166

Q58 What are a person's rights if they have been sectioned? 166

Q59 Who looks after patients in a psychiatric hospital? 168

Q60 What is a 'nearest relative'? 172

Q61 How can friends and family support a loved one in a psychiatric hospital? 173

Q62 How can friends and family forge a good relationship with those who care for their loved one in a psychiatric hospital? 176

Q63 Do psychiatric hospitals allow smoking? 178

Q64 What happens when a psychiatric patient is well enough to leave hospital? 179

Q65 What are the pros and cons of being treated in a psychiatric hospital? 181

Chapter 5 Lifestyle Choices 184

Q66 Can a healthy lifestyle lower the chance of relapse for someone with bipolar disorder and reduce the risk of developing it in the first place? 184

Q67 What is the link between stress and mood swings? 185

Q68 How can regular sleep patterns help to control symptoms of bipolar disorder? 187

Q69 How does exercise affect bipolar symptoms? 191

Q70 Can complementary therapies help control bipolar symptoms? 192

Q71 How can meditation and mindfulness help control bipolar symptoms? 196

Q72 What dietary changes can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder? 198

Q73 What is the 'Mind Meal'? 204

Q74 Can nutritional supplements minimize the symptoms of bipolar disorder? 206

Q75 Can herbal remedies help control bipolar symptoms? 212

Q76 How does nicotine affect bipolar symptoms? 213

Q77 How does caffeine affect bipolar symptoms? 216

Q78 How does alcohol affect bipolar symptoms? 219

Q79 Can over-the-counter medications be' harmful for someone with bipolar disorder? 222

Q80 Can prescription drugs taken for conditions other than bipolar disorder influence recovery? 223

Q81 How do recreational drugs affect those with a bipolar diagnosis? 223

Chapter 6 Living with Bipolar 229

Q82 Is there still a stigma around bipolar disorder? 229

Q83 What is the best way to explain to a child that their parent has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? 235

Q84 Is a person with a bipolar diagnosis legally obliged to inform their employer? 237

Q85 What is the most sensible way for a woman with bipolar disorder to approach pregnancy? 242

Q86 What is the most sensible way for someone with bipolar disorder to approach university life? 244

Q87 How can someone with bipolar manage their money? 247

Q88 What is a 'lasting power of attorney'? 248

Q89 What is the best way to make a complaint about any aspects of care? 249

Q90 Where can somebody with a bipolar diagnosis get insurance? 251

Q91 Is it ever unsafe for someone with a bipolar diagnosis to drive? 252

Q92 What well-known people have/had bipolar disorder? 253

Q93 Can a diagnosis of bipolar disorder ever be a positive thing? 261

Q94 What does the future hold for bipolar disorder? 263

Extra resources 267

Glossary 281

Index 287

Editorial Reviews

"This excellent new guide to bipolar is structured around the kind of key questions that anyone encountering the condition for the first time would want to ask."

Pendulum - The Journal of MDF The Bipolar Organisation

"With its useful glossary and many in-line notes of explanation, this book could provide a good initial orientation to bipolar disorder for the newly-diagnosed, their families and carers."

Your Voice - Member Magazine

"Should I ever worry about myself or another close family member developing the condition, this book will answer any questions that I might have in the most friendly and uncomplicated style. It really is Bipolar Disorder – the Ultimate Guide that stands as a unique and approachable reference book for those with the condition and their loved ones."

Jo Crocker - sister and PA to Stephen Fry - the actor

"Practical, compassionate, thorough and trustworthy, this guide contains everything you ever wanted to know about bipolar, from the big issues to the small details. An enlightening and empowering book."

Maureen Rice - Editor of Psychologies magazine

"This is the one book I wish I'd had when I was first diagnosed... remarkably accessible and nourishing"

Paul Abbott - BAFTA-winning screenwriter and creator of Shameless

"I wish that this superb book had been around when I was growing up with a father with bipolar. It is packed with practical advice for those with the condition and their families on every aspect of the illness - and some astonishing first-hand accounts. It will provide a huge amount of comfort - and help."

Martin Townsend - Editor of the Sunday Express and author of The Father I Had

"As the daughter of a man who suffered from bipolar disorder throughout my upbringing, I strongly recommend this book as a must-read to all of us who need to understand what we are living with."

activist and broadcaster Lynne Franks - author

"A comprehensive, practical human resource which has been written listening to the voices of the people who know bipolar disorder best."

Alan Ogilvie - Medical Director of Equilibrium - The Bipolar Foundation