Bipolar Disorder Mystified: Mastering the Tightrope of Manic Depression

by Lana R. Castle

Book Overview

Whether you've been diagnosed or suspect you may have bipolar disorder, learn the important facts about symptoms, coping strategies, and common myths in this eloquent and useful guide.

Each year, at least 2.3 million Americans are diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder, which is characterized by intense high and low moods, while an estimated 10-13 million others experience its milder forms. In Bipolar Disorder Demystified,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569245584
• ISBN13: 9781569245583
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

First book I've finished in 12 years!

This book was well written and EXTREMELY informative. Although I was a little disappointed at the author's constant need for medication as part of a solution, I understand that this recovery route was part of her personal story. This story, intertwined with great facts, was probably the perfect combination of humanity and science that made the over 400 page book incredibly easy to get through. I am not a "reader", but would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about not only bipolar disorder, but other brain disorders as well.

Everything you want to know about bipolar disorder

Lana Castle does an excellent job in writing a broad survey of help available for those with bipolar disorder. Although she herself gets most help from medication, she also advocates exercise, self-help groups, and herbs. Her personal insights from living with her mood changes were refreshing. She even dives into the biochemistry of moods and of why good nutrition can help. Her medication table in the appendix allows one to track the many types of medication. Living a lifetime as a bipolar myself, I can testify that many of her methods work. Everyone affected by this condition should read this book and refer to it over and over.

Putting the Puzzle of Mental Illness Together

For anyone dealing with the devastation of mental illness, this comprehensive book puts the pieces of the puzzle together. It helped me understand what my own bipolar children have been going through for many years and has given me a compassion that was sorely lacking. Thank you for having the courage to share your story and for all the information, guidance, and resources you provide.

bipolar disorder demystified

I have manic depression and can really relate to Lana's very open description of her sexual "wildness" before her medications were working properly in her body. Lana's ability to describe everything that I have read in her book has given me the courage to discuss my intermost feelings with my therapist and maybe someday with others. Your book is a true asset to the field of manic depression Lana. Hats off to you for doing such a great job!!

An incredibly useful reference

I couldn't disagree more with the previous review - I found this book to be an incredibly useful reference. Yes, it covered a lot that I already knew - but I found much that was new to me. Too, it summarized information that I'd have to go a number of places to find otherwise, so I could unhesitatingly recommend it to my family to help them understand my disorder better.I found much of the nutirtional information useful, and Lana Castle's advice for managing your life with Bipolar Disorder was presented in realistic, unpreachy ways, unlike other authors who seem to expect us to live our lives like Martha Stewarts of BP - doable only if you have no children or have a staff.If I purchased only one book about bipolar disorder, it would be this one.