Very intuitive book on Bipolar Illness
938333
I myself have had bipolar for twenty years and I am a Registered Nurse.  I found this book interesting and informative and describes the illness to a "B".
3055174
This book is an excellent resource for someone who lives with bipolar disorder. The problems and solutions presented in this book would be helpful to any person that has bipolar disorder. There is a chapter strictly written to discuss how one can set goals. Explanations are given in detail as to why even with medication a person with this illness may still have off-days in which they struggle. There is even a chapter explaining how lack of motivation can occur and what one can do about it when it does occur. It would be comforting for someone with this illness to truly understand that mood swings, irritability, and lack of motivation doesn't make one less than anyone else and it doesn't mean that the suffering person is ignorant or weak. This book is a great tool to refer to when things are going well and when things are not going so well. A person with bipolar disorder could refer to this book time and time again. I bought a used copy of Break the Cycle for a bargain price. Break the Bipolar Cycle arrived in great condition for a used book. The book only took six days to reach my door step after the order had been placed.
4064539
My daughter was diagnosed last year with bipolar. She was away at her first year of college. We had seen her on the weekend happy, healthy & ran a Color Run with friends. 5 days later we were called from her college Health center to come pick her up to be evaluated by a psychiatrist!  She ended up needing to be admitted to a hospital for 9 days! She was able to get healthy & stable until she went off medication this year & ended up back in hospital, which we've now been told is very common with people with mood disorders. This book was very informative especially because you her personal experiences from a patient point of view & as a psychiatrist point of view who specializes in biploar. I am buying 4 copies for relatives to read and help them understand too.
1790886
I've now read two books by Dr. Miklowitz, one for mental health clinicians and this book.  The Survival Guide is an excellently practical, fairly comprehensive, and highly accessible guide to understanding and dealing with the many facets of bipolar disorder.  It is a great tool for those suffering from the illness, but it could also be useful for one's family members or friends.  BD is complex and can be overwhelming; however, with some research, emotional support, and, usually, medication, it is a navigable illness that can often be very well treated.  I make this claim to point out the potentially life-saving nature of the advice given in this book and others like it.  In concise and clearly written chapters, Dr. Miklowitz explores the many ways that bipolar disorder can affect an individual and offers research-supported tips on how to manage the illness.  I highly recommend this volume to anyone looking for a thorough but accessible guide to understanding bipolar disorder.
1779257
For anyone who has or has been touched by mental illness in their life, this book is a must. I have Bipolar I, as I was reading this book, I could not believe there was someone else out there who suffered the way I did.  Thank You Kevin Hines, today I do not feel so alone.
4018964
The type of courage it took to publish this book is incredible.  I didn't understand the purpose of this book until I read the author's bio.  While fighting the battle against the bipolar demons as well as those of the prescribed medication, Lithium simply blows my mind. To have the ability to document his thoughts and journeys during these battles shows immense talent.  I suggest that anyone buying this book, read the bio before starting to read.

Prior to my retirement, I had an employee whose son was bipolar, and my wife's best friend has a bipolar son.  Neither of these two would take the Lithium regularly due to the bad side effects, and both parents are terrified of their kids.  The book has given me an insight into what this condition can do to the mind.  The section that was most revealing to me of the twists a patients mind can take was the comments about the Columbine, CO attack.

Andre obviouly is a talented writer, despite his illness, and he holds an authority position at the same time.  Andre: My hat is off to you.

I know you have another book out but I would like to see you turn your creativity to fiction.  If you know of anyone who is bipolar, or has relatives with the condition, you should get this book.  It will help you understand what they are going through every day.  Great job, Andre!
133603
I'd just like to correct something is one of the reviews.

Kay Jamison is not a psychiatrist.  She is a psychologist who heads a psychiatric department.  If you have read this book, you know that.

I've read over a dozen books on Bipolar Disorder.  Being Bipolar myself, I really felt a kinship with Kay.  My family also read this book and tell me that they now have a better understanding of my illness.

A very good book.
1213226
This book is so honest at times it hurts.  I would recommend it to anyone who has ever suffered through bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or know someone who has.  Not only does this book help you understand the disorder, but it shows you that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you are not alone.  I love it.
4820189
Detour provides another perspective for those who are bipolar or have a loved one who is bipolar. There are other books out there that cover the science and case studies of the disorder. This is a much more personal book. I certainly don't think it is the only book you should read on the subject. Beware that the focus is on the under 35, college educated, relatively recently diagnosed bipolar person. If you are that person you need to read this book. It is a very quick read and well worth the effort.
3540597
Amazing book that covers the feelings of both the caretaker mother and the ill daughter on the bipolar journey. It really helped me see that the experiences are similar for all bipolar patients and their parents!  The book takes you through hospitalizations and finding mental health care with compassion and honest emotion.
1252908
Getting on board this train  a metaphor used by the author herself in describing the impact of Bipolar 1 Disorder on her brain  takes the reader through landscapes of mental illness, abuses of the mentally ill, to places of traditional and alternative treatments for the disease.  At the end of the trip, the reader is better informed, empowered and inspired.  There are enough negative events in the authors life, from the onset of getting Bipolar 1 Disorder through an approximate 30-year span of living with it, to develop numerous intense, TV dramas.  But there is no wallowing in self-pity here.  Instead, her informative and uplifting book is fueled by an intense desire to help others  those with the disease, those caring for sufferers or those pursuing an interest - develop a deep understanding of the nature of Bipolar 1 Disorder.  Along the journey, readers discover the day-to-day, year-to-year aspects of what it was like for the author to live and cope with a disease for which there is currently no known cure.  She shares gritty stories of her experiences with prescribed medical treatments and psychotropic drugs, helpful alternative treatments, the differences between Bipolar 1 Disorder and Bipolar 2 Disorder, resources for additional information, treatment of those with the disease  by the medical establishment as well as the general public, and abuses of sufferers.  Her special view into this world is not politically correct and descriptions can shock you.  Told with an underlying sense of humor, she throws a life line out to other sufferers helping them learn how to define and separate themselves from the disease to live a personally fulfilling life.  Her words ring with the tone of hope and inspire with the joy of success.  Success in not allowing herself to be totally limited by a disorder that causes periods of non-functionality and thoughts of suicide. Success in providing empowering information and courage to others. Success in not giving up, but willing herself to be a good parent and to achieve things that even fully functioning people might not achieve.  This is a journey you will be glad to have undertaken.
1100390
I purchased four of these books...one for each of our daughters and myself.  All four of us are so grateful to have discovered this comprehensive and reader-friendly help source.  One of our daughters has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.  We've been riding roller-coaster emotions with her.  "Taming Bipolar Disorder" reveals the complexities involved with the disease, and presents hope through health resources and even provides a nutritional support section.

I highly recommend this publication to anyone who has or knows/loves someone with, Bipolar Disorder.
2288840
I have never read a more positive book about bipolar which inspires those who have the illness and their loved ones to seek treatment.  This well-written book gives practical guidelines for stabilizing the disorder and maintaining and ways to thrive and lead a fulfilling life.  It is a book of hope shared by one who has been there and overcame all obstacles to then return to school and obtain his MSW.  Blake now helps others in so many ways as a life coach with links to his website.  He has coached my son and me and we are both very grateful for such a positive young man and successful author.
4258624
I love John Preston as an author and doctor. I probably own every book he's ever written, being bipolar myself for about 15 yrs. He's able to write in concise, but easy to understand terms for anyone with manic depression/bipolar disorder or anyone who has to deal with or care for someone with this illness to enjoy, read, and comprehend.
2146487
Was sort of apprehensive about reading this, as it was recommended to me because of a loved one who suffers from bipolar disorder.  I thought it might deepen my concern with no clear benefit.  Turned out to be a fascinating, well-written account of struggles with the disorder, on top of the vicissitudes of life and career in the medical profession (especially emergency medicine).  You get to appreciate the author's candor and concern for his family as well as for the reader.  The author is to be commended for his willingness to open himself up in an effort to help the many who suffer from this and other misunderstood mental health issues.  I'd recommend it for anyone who either suffers from a mental illness or is close to someone who does.
2252914
It is very informative written by someone who has experienced Bipolar and found the answer for changing the devastating mental disorder for herself.

Her fathers ability to listen to his heart and to what nutrition has to do with all health problems including the chemical disorders that affect the brain is wonderful and heart warming.  He has fought the devil and won!!!!

Bipolar and other mental chemistry problems is a problem that seems to have become almost epidemic, not only in America, but world wide.  DR. SBC
2667477
In doing much research on Early Onset BiPolar Disorder there is NOTHING that compairs with the information in this book!  It is the benchmark of knowledge and resources.  There is a great reassurance in reading it that many families are facing the same nightmare and finding ways of living throught it.  Finally, a source of hope when professionals and other resources gave none.  Many don't have a clue what was happening and give well-meaning bad advice.  This book should be required reading for everyone in any form of the mental health field.  Every parent of a child with BiPolar should have a copy.