Revised and updated for the very first time, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder is a groundbreaking, comprehensive program to help those with bipolar disorder- and those who care about them- gain permanent control over their lives. Most people diagnosed with bipolar disorder are sent home with the name of a doctor and a bag of medications. However, only 20% of those with the illness are able to gain long term control over their lives with medication alone. Now, bipolar disorder expert Julie A. Fast, who was diagnosed with the illness at age 31, and specialist John Preston, Psy.D., have developed an effective program that helps readers promote stability, reduce the risk of suicide, increase work ability, decrease health care costs, and improve relationships. The book guides those with bipolar disorder and their loved ones toward a comprehensive personal treatment plan by incorporating: - medications and supplements - lifestyle changes - behavior modifications - guidelines on assembling an effective support team. By helping readers gather these powerful resources, TAKE CHARGE OF BIPOLAR DISORDER delivers a dynamic program to treat this dangerous, but ultimately manageable illness.

This fully revised and updated second edition of the bestselling Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder discusses all aspects of readers' relationships with bipolar partners: work, money, sex, medications and their side effects, therapeutic treatments, and more. Also called manic depressive disorder, bipolar disorder can cause extreme mood swings, and people who suffer from this disorder can alternate between manic and depressed behavior without much warning. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Second Edition, builds on the practical advice offered in the original book by offering critical new information on the medications that are sometimes prescribed to manage bipolar disorder symptoms. Readers will learn how their partners may be affected by medication and what side effects they can expect. Because readers serve an important role in managing and monitoring their partner's medication, this information is essential to supporting the treatment of people with bipolar disorder. Readers discover how to better communicate with their partners, manage their own emotional responses to partners' mood swings, and deal with problems relating to work, money, and sex. Although this guide is written for the romantic partner of an individual with bipolar disorder, thousands of friends and family members of people with bipolar disorder have also found its realistic and practical advice endlessly useful.

Many of the techniques in this book take some time to get started. The beauty of adding laughter and joy to your relationship is that you can start immediately. You can get started today. In fact, you can get started right now and then help your partner do the same. Close this book and find something to make yourself laugh. Woo hoo! Remember something funny. Remember something wonderful about your partner. Think of all of the joy you have experienced in life and remind yourself that it can happen again. You now have the tools to make it happen. You have a new treatment plan that can work to help you recognize, modify, and hopefully prevent your partner's major bipolar disorder symptoms. Your relationship has the opportunity to be happy, healthy, stable, and filled with joy. This book can help you through the many ups and downs you and your partner will experience as you create a more stable relationship. Read it often to find what you need at certain moments. Remember to always treat bipolar disorder first. And, most importantly, remember that laughter and joy are your first option when things get really tough. They will give you the peace of mind you need to move on and face your problems with strength. You can both do it.----Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder