Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Individuals and Families

by Michael Otto, Noreen Reilly-Harrington, Robert O. Knauz, Aude Henin, Jane N. Kogan

Overview

Living with bipolar disorder is a challenge, and this book is designed to help patients and their families develop the skills they need to be a good consumer of treatment and to become an expert partner in the management of bipolar disorder. Drawing on research documenting the strength of combining drug treatments with behavioral interventions for fighting bipolar disorder, this book takes a skill-based, family-and-friends approach to managing the ups and downs commonly experienced with the disorder. With Living With Bipolar Disorder, sufferers can learn how to better recognize mood shifts before they happen, minimize their impact, and move on with their lives. Written by the authors of Managing Bipolar Disorder: A Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Program, this book teaches individuals with bipolar disorder how to work together with their family and friends to take charge of their illness and get the most out of professional treatment. The authors stress the importance of an active partnership in treatment, while providing information and strategies to help patients and their families enhance their independence and their management of bipolar disorder. In addition to the strategies directed to individuals suffering from bipolar disorder, this book also provides information and instructions for friends and family members so they'll have the tools to help their loved ones take control of their illness. Family members will learn how to recognize potential problems, provide encouragement, practice new coping skills, and understand what the patient is going through. The book also provides worksheets and forms to help the patient reinforce skills and practices learned in therapy. It includes information about the details of living with bipolar disorder, gives advice on the best ways to avoid relapses, and teaches how to anticipate problems. Here then is a wealth of information on bipolar disorder along with effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of episodes of depression or mania and maximize the enjoyment of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198043522
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/02/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	760 KB

About the Author

Michael W. Otto is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Boston University. Jane N. Kogan is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Noreen A. Reilly-Harrington, Robert O. Knauz, Aude Henin, and Gary S. Sachs are at Massachusetts General Hospital

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     ix
Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Treatment
Introduction     3
Description of Bipolar Disorder     5
Medication Names and Common Dosages     17
Getting in the Habit of Taking Medications     27
Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder     33
Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents and Children     37
Managing Your Disorder
Stress and Schedule Management     51
Attention to Thinking Biases     67
Relationships and Communication Skills     75
Managing Irritability and Anger     83
Focusing on Life Goals     91
Mood Charting     97
Creating a Treatment Contract     103
Improving Wellbeing     111

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Elaine M. Scorza, MS, APRN, BC (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book is intended for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their significant others, and healthcare providers involved in managing their care.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide information for patients and families to develop skills that will enable them to be good treatment consumers as well as partners with their healthcare providers in the management of bipolar disorder. The book is a valuable contribution to individual patient empowerment.
Audience: The book is clearly written in a manner that enables average readers to understand and, just as importantly, ask questions about the disorder, and makes suggestions about what to ask their healthcare providers. This makes the book appropriate for the patient, significant others and caregivers, as well as students of the healing arts in teaching their patients about collaboration in care. The authors provide an evidence- and research-based perspective.
Features: A description of bipolar disorder begins the book, followed by suggestions for how to be an active collaborator in treatment. This sets the stage for the descriptions that follow of the disorder itself, developing habits of taking prescribed medication, the role of psychotherapy, stress management, managing cognitive distortions, relationships, life goals, developing a treatment contract, and managing problem moods like anger and irritability. The book addresses the special populations of children and adolescents, but does not specifically address the geriatric population. The self-care approach in collaboration with healthcare providers is well covered throughout. The book is unique in its perspective on development of wellness, and supports current treatment models that focus upon recovery in illness.
Assessment: This valuable handbook helps this population to be more effective at managing their disorder as well as to become more empowered as partners in their care. Presentation of factual information avoids a dogmatic approach by facilitating dialogue with caregivers and promoting an approach that leaves readers informed about situations as they apply to the patient. As research-based information becomes available, perhaps future editions could be expanded to include more information about additional special populations.

Doody's Review Service

"The book is clearly written in a manner that enables average readers to understand and, just as importantly, ask questions about the disorder, and makes suggestions about what to ask their healthcare providers. This makes the book appropriate for the patient, significant others and caregivers, as well as students of the healing arts in teaching their patients about collaboration in care. The authors provide an evidence- and research-based perspective."—Doody's, a 4 star review!

From the Publisher