From Kirkus Reviews
paper 0-8018-6118-7 An exhaustive, scientific, yet compassionate assist for sufferers of ``the chameleon of psychiatric disorders'' and their families. Psychiatrist Mondimore (Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) looks first at the symptoms and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or manic-depression: the disease wears many masks that can make diagnosis difficult. Mondimore concedes that at present psychiatrists are generally working with the same diagnostic tools that were used in the 19th century: their eyes and ears. He goes on to discuss treatment. Medications are first and foremostprimarily mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. He follows with a thoughtful considerations of electroconvulsive therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy. Mondimore is especially clear on medication side effects (and how to avoid them), how various treatments have been used and misused, and what a reasonable standard should be. In part three, Mondimore considers how bipolar disorder affects children, adolescents, and women; and how it is affected by alcoholism and drug abuse, seasonal affective disorder and chronobiology, genetics, and other medical conditions such as stroke and hormonal problems. In part four, Mondimore offers real, detailed help for living with the disease. The key is to recognize that bipolar disease is relentless and that the way to keep it at bay is for the patient to be relentless, tooabout getting needed treatment and sticking to it''. Illustrative case studies here make it clear this can be done, but it isn't easy. An absolute gold mine, then, for those with the disorder and their families: thorough, candid, and up-to-date advice, full of new possibilities for help. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book News, Inc.
A guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as manic-depression. Mondimore (psychiatrist and clinical faculty member at the U. of North Carolina) offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now availablefrom medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. He also describes problems that are unique to women, forms the illness takes in children and adolescents, the genetics of the disease, and ways to cope with the stigma of psychiatric diagnosis. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. -- Copyright © 2000 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR All rights reserved


Review
"The marvel of this book is its ability to present information in a detailed, understandable manner, while avoiding pitfalls of being overly weighted in professional jargon, or skimpy in specific neurological and behavioral detail."--Susan McCabe, Journal of Psychosomatic Research


Book Description
"Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects about two percent of the population. Such famous politicians, writers, artists, and musicians as Winston Churchill, George Frederick Handel, Lord Byron, Virginia Woolf, Edgar Allan Poe, Napoleon Bonapart, and Vincent van Gogh had bipolar disorder, but most persons affected by bipolar disorder are just ordinary people who want nothing more than to get back to their everyday lives after they or their family members have been diagnosed with the illness. This book is written for them." -- from the PrefaceIn this book for persons with bipolar disorder and their families, Dr. Frank Mondimore offers a comprehensive, practical, compassionate guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as "manic-depression." He offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now available -- from medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as St. John's wort and transcranial magnetic stimulation. For each, he discusses advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and other information to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options. He also describes what it is like to live with bipolar disorder and discusses how lifestyle changes can improve quality of life. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help.Bipolar disorder is a particularly difficult illness to diagnose and treat, Dr. Mondimore acknowledges, and it can be incredibly destructive to relationships and careers, can wreak havoc on family life and, when not properly treated, is a potentially fatal disease. In his wide-ranging discussion of this unpredictable disorder, Dr. Mondimore describes problems that are unique to women, whose disease may be affected by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and childbirth,. He includes new information on the forms the illness takes in children and adolescents, in whom it can sometimes be mistaken for more common problems such as "hyperactivity" or Attention Deficit Disorder. He explains what we know about the genetics of the disease, how symptoms fluctuate with the seasons in seasonal affective disorder, and how illness can be made more difficult to treat because of alcoholism or drug abuse. He discusses coping with the stigmatization of psychiatric diagnosis, gives advice on picking a psychiatrist and on dealing with medical insurance issues, and even explores the fascinating relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity. Finally, Dr. Mondimore tells family members what they can do to help the person with bipolar disorder -- and themselves -- and he offers hope for the future as researchers learn more about the disease and how to control it.


Download Description
For persons with bipolar disorder and their families, here is a comprehensive, practical, compassionate guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.


Book Info
Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Comprehensive and practical guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and causes of this illness. Formerly known as manic-depression. Each treatment option includes advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and other information to aid the consumer in making decisions. Softcover, hardcover also available.


Card catalog description
In this book for persons with bipolar disorder and their families, Dr. Frank Mondimore offers a comprehensive and compassionate guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as "manic-depression." He offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now available - from medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. For each, he discusses advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and other information to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options. He also describes what it is like to live with bipolar disorder and discusses how lifestyle changes can improve quality of life. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help.


About the Author
Francis Mark Mondimore, M.D., is a psychiatrist and member of the clinical faculty of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His books include Depression: The Mood Disease and Adolescent Depression: A Guide for Parents, both available from Johns Hopkins.

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

Bipolar disorder is a difficult illness to diagnose and treat. It can be incredibly destructive to relationships and careers, can wreak havoc on family life and, when not properly treated, is a potentially fatal disease. This wide-ranging discussion of this unpredictable disorder describes problems that are unique to women, in whom the disease may be affected by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and childbirth. It includes new information on the forms the illness takes in children and adolescents, in whom it can sometimes be mistaken for common problems such as "hyperactivity" or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; and explains what we know about the genetics of the disease, how symptoms fluctuate with the seasons in seasonal affective disorder, and how illness can be made more difficult to treat because of alcoholism or drug abuse. It discusses coping with the stigmatization of psychiatric diagnosis, gives advice on picking a psychiatrist and on dealing with medical insurance issues, and even explores the fascinating relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity. Finally, Dr. Mondimore tells family members what they can do to help the person with bipolar disorder ￯﾿ﾽ and themselves ￯﾿ﾽ and he offers hope for the future as researchers learn more about the disease and how to control it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this book for persons with bipolar disorder and their families, Dr. Frank Mondimore offers a comprehensive and compassionate guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as "manic-depression." He offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now available - from medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. For each, he discusses advantages, disadvantages, side effects, and other information to help patients make informed decisions about treatment options. He also describes what it is like to live with bipolar disorder and discusses how lifestyle changes can improve quality of life. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help.

SYNOPSIS

Now available in a large print edition, the best-selling Bipolar Disorder offers acomprehensive, practical, compassionate guide to the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as "manic-depression." Dr. Mondimore provides practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now available and discusses advantages, disadvantages, and side effects to help patients make informed decisions. This book offers understanding, empowerment, and hope to persons with this disorder and to their families and friends. the disorder and their families: thorough, candid, and up-to-date advice, full of new possibilities for help." Kirkus Reviews valuable educational resource for individuals with bipolar disorder and the people who care about them. I highly recommend it for patients and their family members and friends as an enlightened, pragmatic, and empathic resource for this very complex and challenging illness." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry The author incorporates real life stories, expert advice, symptoms and diagnosis, modern treatment options, and resources to help make living with this disorder tolerable. Most importantly, the concepts and information presented in this book are practical." Doody's 3-Star Review Author Bio:Francis Mark Mondimore, M.D., is a psychiatrist and member of the clinical faculty of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His books include Depression: The Mood Disease and Adolescent Depression: A Guide for Parents, both available from Johns Hopkins.

FROM THE CRITICS

Emily K. Tedesco

This book is a comprehensive and practical guide to this devastating psychiatric illness. The author incorporates an easy to understand format that includes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for those affected with bipolar disorder. The purpose is to help educate and inform. The author does a great job in fully explaining the advantages and disadvantages of treating this illness. The most important component is the effective way he combines all the current facts and data into a practical and useful guide. The book is targeted toward patients with bipolar disorder and their families. It would also be useful for students and mental health professionals who work with this special population. The author is credible and quotes respected professionals in the field. This book includes modern treatment options, tips for getting and staying well, a full explanation of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and how the illness affects special populations. The author includes a section on coping with medication side effects. The most important feature is the full section of up-to-date resources, including support groups, informational Internet sites, and suggested readings. This book is an invaluable tool for patients and families living with bipolar disorder. The author incorporates real life stories, expert advice, symptoms and diagnosis, modern treatment options, and resources to help make living with this disorder tolerable. Most importantly, the concepts and information presented in this book are practical.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Emily K. Tedesco, BA, CADC (Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center)Description: This book is a comprehensive and practical guide to this devastating psychiatric illness. The author incorporates an easy to understand format that includes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for those affected with bipolar disorder. Purpose: The purpose is to help educate and inform. The author does a great job in fully explaining the advantages and disadvantages of treating this illness. The most important component is the effective way he combines all the current facts and data into a practical and useful guide. Audience: The book is targeted toward patients with bipolar disorder and their families. It would also be useful for students and mental health professionals who work with this special population. The author is credible and quotes respected professionals in the field. Features: This book includes modern treatment options, tips for getting and staying well, a full explanation of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and how the illness affects special populations. The author includes a section on coping with medication side effects. The most important feature is the full section of up-to-date resources, including support groups, informational Internet sites, and suggested readings. Assessment: This book is an invaluable tool for patients and families living with bipolar disorder. The author incorporates real life stories, expert advice, symptoms and diagnosis, modern treatment options, and resources to help make living with this disorder tolerable. Most importantly, the concepts and information presented in this book are practical.

Booknews

A guide to the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and causes of this potentially devastating psychiatric illness, formerly known as manic-depression. Mondimore (psychiatrist and clinical faculty member at the U. of North Carolina) offers practical advice for getting the most out of the various treatments that are now availablefrom medication, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive treatment to new approaches such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. He also describes problems that are unique to women, forms the illness takes in children and adolescents, the genetics of the disease, and ways to cope with the stigma of psychiatric diagnosis. Throughout, he focuses on the importance of building a support system, of planning for emergencies, and of giving one's self permission to seek help. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Kirkus Reviews

An exhaustive, scientific, yet compassionate assist for sufferers of "the chameleon of psychiatric disorders" and their families. Psychiatrist Mondimore (Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) looks first at the symptoms and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or manic-depression: the disease wears many masks that can make diagnosis difficult. Mondimore concedes that at present psychiatrists are generally working with the same diagnostic tools that were used in the 19th century: their eyes and ears. He goes on to discuss treatment. Medications are first and foremost—primarily mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. He follows with a thoughtful considerations of electroconvulsive therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy. Mondimore is especially clear on medication side effects (and how to avoid them), how various treatments have been used and misused, and what a reasonable standard should be. In part three, Mondimore considers how bipolar disorder affects children, adolescents, and women; and how it is affected by alcoholism and drug abuse, seasonal affective disorder and chronobiology, genetics, and other medical conditions such as stroke and hormonal problems. In part four, Mondimore offers real, detailed help for living with the disease. The key is to recognize that bipolar disease is relentless and that the way to keep it at bay is for the patient to be relentless, too—"about getting needed treatment and sticking to it". Illustrative case studies here make it clear this can be done, but it isn't easy. An absolute gold mine, then, for those with the disorder and their families: thorough, candid, and up-to-date advice, full of new possibilities for help.

RATING