Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families

by Francis Mark Mondimore

Book Overview

A handbook for persons with bipolar disorder, and their families. It offers a practical guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1421412063
• ISBN13: 9781421412061
• Release Date: February 2014
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Extremely comprehensive information!

This really was a very informative, practical, easy flowing guide for understanding and coping with Bipolar. Dr. Mondimore describes the lifestyle habits and treatments that will help you prevent relapse, allowing anybody with bipolar disorder to lead a happy, normal life. This was excellent for any family member with somebody who does have this disorder. It really is explained to why they do what it is we do. He covers Moods, medications, alcoholism and drug abuse. Treatment, where to go for help. Getting better and staying well. Also the role the family has and this really was by far the most comprehensive book I have read yet on this matter.

Without a doubt the most informative

I read this book for the fist time in July of 1999. Since that time I must have bought atleast 6 copies to give to my friends and family. It was one of the best ways to communicate to those who do not understand what I go through what it is like.Dr. Mondimore covers everything and leaves no stone unturned. He is so in tune with how one with Bipolar disorder feels it is amazing! The information is provided in a very easy to read format.The patient,family and family and friends benefit greatly. I strongly urge ANYONE who wants to understand about this illness to pick it up. For those of us who are afflicted with this type of illness, it means so much for you to try to understand as much as possible. By reading this book,it will surely show you care.

A great resource for patient and family

As a registered nurse and mother of an adult son newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I feel fortunate to have found this book quickly. The information is comprehensive and well organized. The book contains appropriately detailed sections dealing with symptoms/syndromes/diagnosis, treatment, variations/causes/connections, and living with the disorder or with one who has the disorder. As a professional, I found the content sufficiently technical while still appropriate for someone with no medical background. Dr. Mondimore has also provided many other resources including suggested reading, support and advocacy organizations and appropriate Internet sites. The chapter notes will lead you to even more information from periodicals, textbooks and other publications. An index is also included for quick reference within the book. The chapters on preparation for emergencies and on the role of the family has been especially helpful to my daughter-in-law and me. Unfortunately, my son made a serious suicide attempt several weeks ago. Thankfully, he was not successful and has been in intensive therapy since that time. He is improving with medication adjustment and daily therapy. The whole family is learning about bipolar disorder, previously unrecognized signs and symptoms, and the link to alcohol abuse, unipolar depression and AD(H)D that is present in other family members. As we learn to deal with the diagnosis and it's impact on my son, his wife and children and the rest of us, I plan to buy more copies of this book to share with the family. I have always believed that knowledge is power and this book has assisted me in my quest to learn about bipolar disorder. Thank you Dr. Mondimore!

For anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, family, friends

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago. I wish that I would have had this book then instead of relying only on the internet for information. I had the mistaken impression that once my medication was 'balanced out', my life would become 'normal'. Thanks to this book, I now understand what I am up against and that this rollercoaster ride may never stop. It is written so that anyone can understand it. It is very thorough and written with compassion. For anyone diagnosed with bipolar disorder and their family and friends, this is an excellent resource to start with. I highly recommend it. It may even save your life.

Practical guide to living with bipolar disorder

Dr. Mondimore has provided a practical, easy-to-read guide for understanding and coping with bipolar disorder. Through the use of case studies, the suthor outlines the types of bipolar disorder, and what symptoms are related to each one. He describes the treatments and lifestyle habits that will help prevent relapse, allowing a person with bipolar disorder to lead a normal life. For the technically oriented reader, Dr. Mondimore also discusses the biological basis of moods, and what is biologically known about the disorder. This is by far the most comprehensive and helpful book I have read on the subject. Dr. Mondimore's writing style is conversational and familiar, and as a result, the information may be readily accepted and applied in the treatment of bipolar disorder by patients and family members alike.