As a Psychiatrist, I have read many writings on Bipolar Disorder. The writings by mental health professionals have tended to provide information and insights from a clinician/researcher point of view. While these documents gave the reader information, it was often difficult for patients and non-medical individuals to understand and incorporate the information into their daily lives. On the other hand, writings by individuals with mental illnesses, family members or friends, tend to be autobiographical. They are interesting, but only chronicled one person’s journey. This book was written as a collaborative between an individual with a mental illness and his primary support person. This book is written using the language, which anyone can understand and individualize. At this time, it is paramount for consumers, friends, and family and support groups to be active participants in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. The ability to be a positive, contributing member of the mental health team starts with knowledge. The ability to communicate effectively with professionals and nonprofessionals is essential for maximum medical/emotional benefit. This book provides an excellent source of information to anyone who has or is associated with individuals having Bipolar Disorder. I highly recommend this book as part of the resources available to educate and empower those trying to control and maintain stability with Bipolar Disorder.

- Ollie R. Mack, J.D., M.D.

A quick and easy reference to help understand Bipolar Disorder James Witschner and Marcia Rose 

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BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER This is the current term for manic-depressive disorder. This has been considered a mental illness, but a more accurate description would be a neurobiological brain disorder involving extremes in moods and feelings. It affects how people think, feel and behave. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. This illness is also viewed as a biochemical imbalance that produces extreme mood changes from the high levels of intense mania to the lows of extreme depression. The illness has many levels a you can experience. Some types of bipolar disorder have lots of depression and a little mania or a small amount of depression with a constant supply of mania. Some have both. Mania and depression during the same cycle is called a Mixed State. Some people cycle only a few times and others cycle many times in a year. Cyclothymia, which is the mildest form of bipolar, leaves one with highs and lows that, can be quite distressing but not overwhelming. On the other hand, Bipolar-1, can include many hospitalizations, a lifetime of medication changes, disability at an early age and a 20% chance of premature death. This illness occurs equally among men and women, and it’s the onset of symptoms can appear at any time but mostly within the ages of 25 through 44. There have been many suggestions as to how this illness comes to us, but the most accepted one is that genetics play the biggest part. It is often misdiagnosed or mistaken for another problem. This can lead to many years of frustration, social dysfunction and unreasonable guilt, Guilt due to behaviors that cannot be understood. Behaviors are taken as some kind of personal failure and not the illness that it is.

BIPOLAR 1 DISORDER Bipolar I is the "classic" form of Bipolar Disorder. It most often involves widely spaced, long-lasting bouts of mania followed by long-lasting bouts of depression and vice-versa. However, the essential definition is depression alternating with mania, or "mixed states".

BIPOLAR II DISORDER Bipolar II involves at least one Hypo manic episode and one Major Depressive episode, but never either a full-blown Manic episode or Cyclothymia. The essential definition is depression alternating with hypomania.

BOOKS (See addenda)

BUSPAR (buspirone hydrochloride) This is an anti-anxiety medication that is not related to most other sedative type drugs. It also has a mood elevating property. It does not have the intellect -clouding effect of other anti-anxiety drugs and it is not as strong as some. For this reason it is not habit forming. Some of the common side effects are nervousness, lightheadedness, excitement and dream disturbances. There have been serious reactions when this drug is taken with a MAO inhibitor.