Living with Bipolar Disorder: Strategies for Balance and Resilience

by Lynn Hodges

Overview

From the initial diagnosis through recovery and transformation, this handbook offers positive, real-life solutions and support from one who not only suffers from the condition herself but has experienced it with her mother and her daughter. Her handy guide offers firsthand advice on how to lead a fulfilling life despite having this debilitating mental-health condition. In a practical, candid tone, the book focuses on addressing personal questions that arise following a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Among the topics considered are the basics of functioning, living, and dealing with people on an everyday basis, how to negotiate treatment, handle family and friends, maintain a positive image, and make a living.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781844095865
Publisher:	Findhorn Press
Publication date:	06/18/2012
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.36(d)

About the Author

Lynn Hodges is a bipolar disorder survivor. She conducts recovery classes for her local county council and counsels mental-health-care workers and patients on how best to navigate the day-to-day realities associated with the disorder and receive assistance through government programs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 5

Introduction 11

1 What is Bipolar Disorder? 13

Mania 13

Hypomania 14

Depression 15

Accepting the Diagnosis 17

Learning You Are Not Alone 22

2 Depression: The Black Cloud 29

Challenging Negative Thoughts 32

Managing Depression 34

3 A Personal Journey into a Psychiatric Ward 37

Life on a Psychiatric Ward 43

4 Family and Friends 47

Inclusion - Meet the Health Professionals 49

Family and Friends' Reactions to Bipolar Disorder 54

5 Positive Images 59

Tips on Finding Positive Role Models 62

Exercises to Increase Your Confidence and Positive Image 64

6 The Recovery Process 71

Tips to Increase Mental Health and Physical Health 78

Is Alternative Medicine an Option? 82

7 Disabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder - Case Studies 93

How to Handle the Constant Roller Coaster of Mood Swings 98

How to Turn Negative Feedback in the Workplace into Positive 102

8 Enabling Aspects of Bipolar Disorder 105

Tapping into Your Creative Resources 109

Confidence to Make Things Happen 111

9 Networking with Health Professionals 115

Best Way to Handle Doctors 117

Keeping Your Family and Friends in the Loop 117

10 Transformation 119

Case Studies of Patients Who Live Successfully with Bipolar 121

Finding the Strength to Continue to Grow After Each Manic Episode 125

Recommended Reading 126

Useful Websites 127

Organizations Working With Mental Health 128

About the Author 142

About the Paintings 143

Editorial Reviews

"The significant recommendation for this book comes from the fact that the author speaks from direct experience and she tells the tale of how to do what she has done. You couldn't ask more from a book of this nature." —www.PilgrimsMindBodySpirit.co.uk

From the Publisher