Bipolar Disorder For Dummies

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Joe Kraynak. Bipolar Disorder For Dummies

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I. Getting Started on Your Bipolar Journey

Chapter 1. Grasping Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Cracking Open the Diagnostic Manual: DSM-5

Exploring the Poles of Bipolar Disorder: Mania and Depression

Distinguishing Types of Bipolar Disorder

Digging Deeper with Bipolar Specifiers

Distinguishing Bipolar from Conditions with Similar Symptoms

Considering Comorbidity: When Bipolar Coexists with Other Conditions

Confronting the Challenges of Diagnosing Children and Teens

Chapter 2. Finding the Cause: The Brain and Body Science of Bipolar Disorder

Digging Up Bipolar’s Genetic Roots

Investigating Nongenetic Factors

Examining the Circuitry of Bipolar

Recognizing How Medications Do Their Thing

Chapter 3. Reining in Bipolar Disorder: Prognosis and Treatments

So, Doc, What’s the Prognosis?

Responding Reactively and Proactively to Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing the Components of an Effective Treatment Plan

Part II. Obtaining a Diagnosis and Building a Treatment Plan and Team

Chapter 4. Diagnosis Step 1: Ruling Out Other Health Issues

Could It Be Something Else?

Seeking Your Doctor’s Advice

Digging Deeper with Additional Tests and Procedures

Receiving a Clean Bill of Health – Now What?

Chapter 5. Diagnosis Step 2: Obtaining a Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment Plan

Finding Professional Help

Knowing What to Look for in a Psychiatrist

What to Bring to Your First Meeting

Arriving at a Diagnosis

Responding to Your Diagnosis

Receiving Your Treatment Plan

Chapter 6. Building a Winning Mood-Management Team

A Psychiatrist for Diagnosis and Medication Management

A Lifestyle Director: Highlighting the Therapist’s Roles

Assembling Your Personal Support Staff: Family and Friends

Working as a Team

Expanding Your Network through Local Support Groups

Part III. Managing the Biology of Bipolar Disorder

Chapter 7. Leveling Moods with Medication

Unlocking the Bipolar Medicine Cabinet

Exploring Bipolar Psychopharmacology

Treating Mood Episodes and Preventing Future Episodes

Peering into the Promising Future of Bipolar Medications

Chapter 8. Coming to Terms with Medications and Their Side Effects

Facing Your Emotional Reactions

Performing a Cost-Benefit Analysis

Alleviating Undesirable Side Effects

Switching, Reducing, and Stopping Meds

Chapter 9. Expanding Your Biological Treatment Options

Treating Your Moods to Supplements

Treating Depression with Light Therapy

Stimulating Your Brain with Electricity and Magnetism

Chapter 10. Treating Bipolar Disorder in Women and Other Specific Populations

Bipolar Disorder in Women

Older Adults and Bipolar Disorder

Accommodating Cultural Differences

Bipolar in the LGBT Community

Part IV. Developing Essential Survival Skills

Chapter 11. Exploring Self-Help Strategies, Therapies, and Other Supports

Monitoring Your Moods

Charting Sleep and Energy Levels

Identifying Stressors and Triggers

Seeking Out Therapy and Support

Chapter 12. Making Lifestyle Adjustments

Cultivating a Healthy Home Environment

Establishing Healthy Routines

Serving Healthy Foods

Building Healthy Relationships

Relieving Stress through Exercise

Avoiding the Bad Stuff

Chapter 13. Communicating Effectively

Setting the Stage

Avoiding the Four Big Tiff-Makers

Becoming Less Confrontational with “I” Statements

Validating Other People’s Feelings

Disengaging from Unproductive Conflicts

Chapter 14. Solving Problems and Resolving Conflict

Setting the Stage for Effective Problem Solving

Identifying the Problem

Redefining the Problem/Conflict: From Right Versus Wrong to Unmet Needs

Brainstorming Possible Solutions

Planning and Implementing Agreed-Upon Solutions

Avoiding Unproductive Approaches

Letting Go of Problems You Can’t Solve on Your Own

Chapter 15. Planning Ahead for a Mood Episode

Teaming Up with Your Care Providers

Thwarting a Mood Episode

Choosing a Psychiatric Facility

Documenting Essential Information

Signing Releases … Or Not

Part V. Dealing with the Fallout

Chapter 16. From Hospitalization to Recovery

Coming to Terms with Hospitalization

Knowing What to Expect

Knowing Your Patient Rights

Making Your Stay More Comfortable

Keeping Your Team in the Loop

Making Recovery Your Top Priority

Reclaiming Your Life

Chapter 17. Returning to Work … or Not

Reality Check: Are You Ready to Return to Work?

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Disclosing Your Diagnosis … or Not

Requesting Workplace Accommodations

Finding More Suitable Work

Is Not Returning to Work Right for You?

Chapter 18. Overcoming Financial Setbacks

The Public Mental Health System

Filing for Disability Benefits

Exploring Health Insurance Options

Low- or No-Cost Healthcare Resources

Other Ways to Survive the Hard Times

Part VI. Assisting a Friend or Relative with Bipolar Disorder

Chapter 19. Supporting Your Loved One

Establishing the Right Mindset

Nurturing a Sense of Empathy

Recognizing Your Limitations

Remaining Vigilant for Warning Signs

Helping Someone Who Refuses Help

Taking Care of Yourself

Chapter 20. Dealing with Crisis Situations

Consulting Your Loved One’s Doctor or Therapist

Discussing the Emergency Plan

Responding in a Crisis

Chapter 21. Backing Your Bipolar Child or Teen

Recognizing the Diagnostic Difficulties

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children

Requesting a Professional Evaluation

Breaking Out the Treatment Toolbox

Parenting a Child with Bipolar Disorder

Part VII. The Part of Tens

Chapter 22. Ten Tips for Managing Bipolar

Team Up with Your Doctor and Therapist

Take Medications as Prescribed

Regulate Your Sleep

Develop Daily Routines

Build Mindfulness and Other Self-Centering Skills

Clearly Communicate Your Needs

Avoid Alcohol and Stimulants

Monitor Your Moods

Identify Your Early Warning Signs

Get Help at the First Sign of Trouble

Chapter 23. Ten Ways to Help a Loved One with Bipolar Disorder

Find Out More about Bipolar Disorder

Treat Your Loved One with Respect

Hone Your Communication Skills

Become a Problem Solver

Disengage When Tensions Rise

Keep Detailed Records

Partner with Your Loved One

Brush Up on Medications

Flex Your Expectations

Enjoy Your Life

About the Authors

Authors’ Acknowledgments

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Imagine yourself cruising down the highway at a comfortable speed of 65 miles per hour when your cruise control goes berserk. The speedometer climbs to 75 and then 85 … you hit the button to cancel … tap the brakes … 90 … nothing slows you down … 95 … your car is shaking and weaving … 100 … people are honking … 105 … police cars are chasing you … 110 … your spouse is yelling at you to SLOW DOWN … 115 … 120 … .

Or imagine the opposite: You’re driving through town in a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit zone. Nobody’s in front of you – you’re practically pushing the accelerator through the floor – but your car can only creep along at 3 miles per hour. Your neighbors are honking, passing you on the right – on bicycles – and giving you dirty looks and other gestures of discontent.

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When you (or your loved ones) are diagnosed with bipolar, you automatically become a rank beginner. You never needed information about this illness before and probably had little interest in the topic. Now you have to get up to speed in a hurry. With that in mind, we assume that you know very little about bipolar disorder. If you’ve been to a doctor or therapist and received a diagnosis, however, you know at least a little. And if you got burned by a misdiagnosis or the wrong approach, you know you don’t want that to happen again. But no matter how experienced you are, this book can help.

We also assume that you or someone you know has bipolar or that you’re at least somewhat curious about the condition. The more the disorder affects you, your family, or someone else you know, the more this book can help.

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