The Up and Down Life: The Truth about Bipolar Disorder--The Good, the Bad, and the Funny

by Paul E. Jones and Andrea Thompson

Book Overview

A fresh, honest, and practical guide to living with bipolar disorder. Paul Jones, a stand-up comedian and workshop leader who suffers from bipolar disorder, uses humor, honesty, and hard-won practical advice to dispel the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and shed light on the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. Offering an intimate view of life with bipolar disorder--including the most common mistakes bipolar individuals make and how to...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399534229
• ISBN13: 9780399534225
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Tarcherperigee
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Outstanding book! SO Helpful

This book is outstanding. It was the most helpful book on the topic of bipolar I have ever read. My husband has suffered for 18 years with the BP, and finally, a book that makes sense to us! This author really tells it like it is, and offers tons of hope, and ideas that make sense. The humor is awesome, we loved the book. Very, very helpful. A must read for anyone dealing with BP-whether patient or caregiver. My husband read the book and kept smiling and saying, this book sounds exactly like me, and that helped him know he is not alone, which is a feeling he deals with all the time with BP. Truly, the best book I have ever read on bipolar disorder.

Tremendous Book

As someone who was diagnosed with Bipolar II, in July '08, I became scared because I had no idea what to expect. All the mood swings I had been experiencing, I thought were just a part of me. However, once I found out they weren't, I started looking for answers and what "normal" meant. Paul's book is the MOST "down to earth" book on Bipolar Disorder I have read (I have read at least 10 since my diagnosisous(sp?)). He speaks to the reader on a level you can relate to. There is no "over the head" unecessary information. I understand basic brain function and did not need an education on that. I wanted to find out what someone else experiences w/ Bipolar and Paul let me in on that knowledge. It gets frustrating in dealing w/ the meds, finding the right combination, etc. Plus Paul gave me an idea of what "normal" actually may be and for that I am extremely grateful. I strongly recommend this book for people who have recently been diagnosed w/Bipolar, as it gives a person insight on what to expect and he shows you, that yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just may not get there as quick as you want to, I know.

Worth more than one reading

I first read Paul's book almost two months ago. It was a fast read, and engrossing, and I appreciated the support it offered in my understanding of my 17-year-old daughter. But with bipolars, nothing is ever really constant, and I feel I could re-read this book tomorrow and gain further insights. It's a comfort knowing this book exists, there to offer encouragement, support, even a laugh, when life with your bipolar becomes too frightening or frustrating.

Read this book!

I read this book before my boyfriend was diagnosed with Bipolar. It helped me to understand what manic depressive ilness was and gave me the strength to get him help. Now that he has been diagnosed, this book helped him understand what he was up against and gave him the information he needed in the first days after diagnosis. Paul speaks truthfully about his story in a real way that gives those with the illness and their loved ones the ability to understand the journey ahead. I appreciate his honestly and giving people the ability to laugh and find the humor in having or loving someone with a mental illness. I truly believe this book saved my boyfriends life, and our relationship in so many ways.

an amazing book

as a register nurse, i found this book to be very informative and not too "medically speaking" overwhelming. As a young women who has had to fight her own demons, it was truly heartfelt and eye opening. mr jones does an amazing job helping outsiders see the true depth of depression and the soaring highs of mania. he is truly a stright shooter, not making excuse or placing blame on past actions, he has been through the battle of his life and emerged on the other side a true hero of this disorder. He offers many different tools and ideas to help those who are just discovering there illness to those who have been dealing with it for years. it is also a wonderful tool for family member, Paul takes family and friends by the hand and teaches them the best way to treat your love one dealing with this disease. if you think that anyone you care about is struggling with this disorder, this is the book to buy.