Title: The Bipolar Workbook, 2nd Ed.
Author: Dr Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD
Year: 2015
Category: Self-help books
Premise: This self-help book focuses on strategies to help control mood swings which are a part of bipolar disorder. The strategies can apply to all types of mood disorders, especially bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. The book includes sections which educate on the disorder itself, the symptoms, how to recognize symptoms and catch them fast, how to reduce symptoms, and how to maintain progress.
Review: The first edition of this book helped save my life. There, I said it. It’s true, this book and my medications (lithium, specifically) helped me learn to control my mood swings. The book follows a 4-step process through which the reader learns to recognize symptoms, keep symptoms from getting worse, reduce symptoms and monitor progress. When I had my first official manic episode after finishing university, this was the book that helped me learn to develop insight and control my own symptoms. I really benefitted from the information being laid out clearly, such as the table of mania symptoms, divided into mild, moderate and severe manic symptoms. Looking back in my book, I can see what symptoms I highlighted that I had insight into a that time. Now I can recognize that I have many that I didn’t highlight as well, I just didn’t realize I was having them. The book is full of interactive components, from circling your symptoms to drawing a timeline of events. I also found the very clear explanation of individuals symptoms to be helpful in understanding the diagnostic criteria.
Recommendation: Whether you are newly diagnosed or been around the block a few times, this book can help you regain control over your symptoms and your life. I strongly encourage anyone with bipolar disorder to purchase it and work their way through the book. It will change your life.
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