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10 Books to learn about bipolar disorder

Books on bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder affects more than 6 million people in the US alone. Characterized by severe mood swings from depression to elation, the condition is very hard to diagnose. Many of the substance abuse problems and addiction difficulties may actually be the bipolar disease showing itself. Knowledge is definitely power here for it is ignorance that has made this disease deadlier than what it actually is. Here are 10 excellent books to equip yourself with information, knowledge and wisdom about this difficult disease.

1. An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

A Psychiatry Professor and PhD from the School of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins University, Kay Redfield Jamison has narrated her 30 year struggle with bipolar disorder in this bestseller. Staying on the New York Times best-seller list for more than five months, the book has grown popular mainly because it is a powerful, personal account. The book explores the mind of a trained scientist and lends an insight on something that has never been discussed before. It is little wonder that this book has been translated into 25 languages to date.

2. Wishful Drinking

The powerful and poignant memoirs of the Hollywood actress, Carrie Fisher, this is a 163 page book that was published in 2009. Throughout the screen life, she was a humorist but she suffered many tragedies off the screen due to alcohol, drugs, bad relationships and bipolar disease. Written in her usual stand-up-and-present-the-facts style, the book presents a strong and caustic self analysis. The book makes the rare combination of entertainment and pain for the reader and has received many good reviews.

3. Madness: A Bipolar Life

Suffering people always prefer empathy over sympathy for the simple reason that while the former makes them feel treated as equals, the latter makes them feel low, in every sense of the word. This book by the ailing Marya Hornbacher will surely help a fellow-sufferer cope with his/her illness. The author herself suffered from bipolar disorder right from childhood though it was diagnosed only twenty years later. She details her teenage years which were filled with alcohol, drugs and promiscuity. This book too was the New York Times bestseller for a while.

4. Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament

Whether it is a movie or a television series or a novel story, we often see that there is a thin line between genius and eccentricity. In fact, most of us believe that any genius will have his/her own quirks. Kay Redfield Jamison, in this book, has shown that the ‘artistic genius’ of some artists may, in fact, be bipolar disorder. He has attempted to draw that thin line that we discussed earlier. The author definitely proves beyond doubt that madness, which is often considered as an impediment, can also be an inspiration.

5. Manic: A Memoir

Another New York Times bestseller on the raging vicissitudes of the bipolar disease! Terri Cheney went through the extremes with her lows resulting in suicidal thoughts and her highs leading her into a promiscuous life. The book gets a little difficult to read for it seems to skip and jump like her moods. But that is what makes it speak so eloquently about a disease that deeply affects all aspects of the life of it’s victims. A glaring and honest account, this memoir is bound to move your heart and shake your soul.

6. The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide

The name says it all in this case. A Professor of Psychiatry at Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division in the UCLA Semel Institute, Prof. David J. Miklowitz, PhD, has helped the people affected by bipolar disease as his focus. In this book, he dilates in great detail on the mood swings and how patients could overcome them. The book acts as a ‘psycho-educational tool’ according to the Director of the Center on Neurosciences at George Washington University Medical Center which is located in Washington DC.

7. To Walk on Eggshells

This book describes the bipolar disease from another perspective. The author, Jean Johnston, was mother to a child, Suzy, who was diagnosed with the disease. She describes her moments of fear and loneliness as she took loving care of her daughter and finally managed to help her get rid of the disease. Her inspiring story is sure to inspire many other patients and those taking care of them also. And that is exactly the reason why she wrote the book. A must read book if you have someone in the family who is suffering from bipolar disease.

8. Detour

Lizzie Simon got educated from the Ivy leagues and began her bright career when she was 23. And this was in spite of knowing the fact from her teens that she had bipolar disease. The book journeys along with her on her road trip and a voyage towards other people suffering like her so that she could feel as one among a flock. She is now a freelance writer and her book has even inspired a show on MTV titled True Life: I am Bipolar.

9. Positive Parenting for Bipolar Kids

Mary Ann McDonnell, PhD and Janet Wozniak, MD, along with Judy Fort Brenneman have jointly authored this book to help parents recognize, treat, manage and heal children suffering from bipolar disease. Some of the advised action is to identify serious symptoms, talk to the teachers, talk to other caregivers, diagnose well and get the right treatment. This book will ease the nervousness and apprehensions of every affected parent and better equip them to deal with their affected children.

10. The Up and Down Life

It is an irony of life that comedians seem to have tragic private lives! (Or it may just be that we notice such cases easily!). Motivational speaker and stand up comedian, Paul E. Jones, wrote this book in 2008, five years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disease. He uses his god-given gift of humor to explain how one could deal with home life and careers when they are suffering from bipolar disorder. Also providing clinical information and resources, this is a book that anyone who is suffering from bipolar disorder can relate with and relish.

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