Facing Bipolar: The Young Adult's Guide to Dealing with Bipolar Disorder

There are many books on bipolar disorder. None provides as much help as this one for the book's target audience, the young adult who needs to address the often extremely difficult experience of bipolar disorder. Individuals who love to read may get additional books, for more specialized knowledge. However, this book is probably the best place for the newly diagnosed individual to begin. For many individuals no additional reading will be needed. My perspective is that of a practicing clinical psychologist. This is the book I would want my own child to have.The book may be more appropriate for the older and more mature teen or young adult, as opposed to a younger and less mature teen (a group not likely to read much anyway, or engage in the kinds of exercises the book recommends). What I especially like about this book is the emphasis on addressing the doubts (about having the condition) and the distorted self-perceptions ("if I'm bipolar does that also mean I'm...") that are common in young individuals first facing the reality of bipolar disorder.

Shipped fast and it was a really good book and my daughter really liked it she has bipolar and these books to help with her relating to what's going on in her own personal life

The authors, both associated with the counseling center at the University of Virginia, have written a very complete, yet easy-to-read volume about biploar disorder. The book takes the reader from diagnosis to discussing the future that life holds for those with bipolar disorder. Additionally, there are chapters written about any topic a patient with BP would want to have answered.Although this book's intended audience is for young adults and college students, I found the information in it was very helpful for me, too - and I'm 52! I enjoyed the way the authors used the language college students use, and I especially appreciated the case studies the authors use to illustrate the points they want to make. It's helpful to see how other people in the same situation have dealt with bipolar disorder.If you are wondering if this book would help you understand bipolar disorder and assist you or a loved one face this diagnosis, I highly recommend that you order this book. You will not be disappointed.

This book is very well-written. The comprehensive part of the title refers to its extensive descriptions about the normal feelings a patient or loved one might experience, medications and other treatments, and how to live well after a diagnosis of bipolar. I have read through it twice already and periodically refer it as my new treatment progresses. It has eased any fears I have had and helped me identify what is healthy and what is not and how and when to tell people in my life about my new reality. Definitely recommend this to any family member or patient, or even to those who are strongly concerned that they are facing this disorder. The best part of this book is that it is written for the everyday man or woman and does not read like other medical help books. The content is so fluid you won't want to stop reading the book! At least, that was the case with me!

The book did provide a lot of information about bipolar disorder and things you will experience while learning to cope with your diagnosis. With lots of helpful stories about people facing certain issues and struggles which were affected by the illness. That being said, the book was really depressing to read. It listed things you shouldn't do, things to be careful of, every horrible thought and feeling you would have after being diagnosed. It was a lot of, 'You will feel like you are different from everyone else, and you are. You need to accept that.' The book provided very little hope for things you can accomplish, and there were really no stories of anyone achieving great success after a lapse.Honestly the book made me feel like I am incapable of so many things. There are limitations to things I can accomplish, but the book just took it to the extreme and painted a bleak future void of successes made by others as if I'm not capable of it.In short, it was informative about only the down sides of being bipolar but offered no light at the end of the tunnel.

Easy to read, explains the disorder in a basic way, comes with charts to help keep track of behavior and moods. Something I find helpful, because it's easy to forget or lose track of how we act or are feeling from day to day.It's not a book that exists to sympathize, but I don't feel that it's persecutes either. It's taking ideas from cognitive psychology and adapts them so that you are able to do homework that you would get in therapy, but within a book. It's not about the feeling of what it's like to have the disorder. It's more objective. If you think that's what you need, I would recommend it. If not, probably will be of no use.

Although the book starts with emphasis in the negative part of the sickness, there is a very good guide to youth adults about his/her condition. It is hard to read it but this is the reality of this mental illness.

In the weeks following our son's diagnosis as bipolar we spent many hours on the internet searching for resources, and we purchased a number of books. Of all the things that I have read, this book was the most practical and appropriate to hand to our son. When I read the introduction I felt like these authors actually knew my son and the challenges that he is facing with this new diagnosis. Thank you so much for taking your years of experience with college aged young people and sharing your wisdom with the rest of us.

Very informative and learned more information about bipolar disorder with my significant other. I would recommend this book to anyone who to learn more and it a great read

Great information and support and specifically aimed at younger people diagnosed with this disorder. Sent very quickly. Thank you very much!

Useful, good information. Easy to read and understand.