The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings / Edition 2

by Monica Ramirez Basco PhD

Overview

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong challenge, but it doesn't have to rule your life. Join the many tens of thousands of readers who have used the science-based tools in this book to achieve greater balance and get the most out of treatment. Leading expert Dr. Monica Ramirez Basco helps you understand the nature of bipolar illness and recognize the early warning signs of mood swings. Step-by-step exercises (you can download and print additional copies of the forms as needed) give you greater insight into your own triggers, vulnerabilities, and strengths. Dr. Basco guides you to build the particular skills you need to withstand the seductive pull of manic episodes and escape the paralysis of depression. You'll also learn key strategies for managing stress, making healthy decisions, and solving problems. Vivid stories and examples illustrate how to put the techniques into action. Significantly revised, the second edition features a new structure, more succinct chapters, and streamlined exercises.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462520237
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	05/07/2015
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	237
Sales rank:	260,085
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is Associate Director for Science Policy, Planning, and Analysis at the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health. She served as Assistant Director for Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Broadening Participation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2014 to 2015. Dr. Basco is an internationally recognized expert in cognitive-behavioral therapy and a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. She was formerly on the faculty of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was awarded the University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.

Table of Contents

Step 1. Get the Big Picture
1. Understand How You Can Control Your Mood Swings
2. Learn about the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
3. Distinguish Symptoms from the Real You
Step 2. See It Coming
4. Recognize and Label Your Moods
5. Identify Triggers and Improve Coping
Step 3. Don't Make It Worse
6. Avoid Things That Make You Feel Worse
7. Don't Let Your Emotions Control Your Thoughts
8. Stop Avoidance and Procrastination
Step 4. Reduce Your Symptoms
9. Regain Control When You Feel Overwhelmed
10. Change Your Negative Outlook
11. Analyze Your Thoughts
12. Work through Denial about Needing Medication
13. Improve Medication Consistency
Step 5. Strengthen Your Coping Skills
14. Effectively Solve Problems
15. Strengthen Stress Management Skills and Healthy Habits
16. Make Better Decisions
17. Maintain Your Gains
Resources

Interviews

People with bipolar illness and their loved ones, as well as those struggling with other types of disruptive mood swings. Also of interest to mental health professionals.

Editorial Reviews

"For those on the bipolar spectrum—as well as loved ones who want to understand and help—this book is empathic, respectful, empowering, and accessible. Dr. Basco's deep understanding of the illness is evident. The steps in this book can help you strengthen your commitment to treatment, practice essential coping skills, and achieve greater stability."—Cory F. Newman, PhD, ABPP, Center for Cognitive Therapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

"This workbook provides essential strategies for coping with mood swings and intense emotions. Dr. Basco explains step by step how to manage the mix of depression and mania symptoms that typically goes along with bipolar disorder. A fantastic book and a 'must read.'"—Thilo Deckersbach, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

"Having suffered with bipolar disorder for years, I am grateful for Dr. Basco's well-organized, easy-to-understand guidance on how to live with this illness. The book contains numerous useful exercises that help you organize your thoughts in a logical way. It helps you understand your symptoms and moods and teaches realistic coping strategies so you can get your life back."—Erin B.

"Dr. Basco once again hits it out of the park with this clear and concise workbook. This book can have a profound effect on improving the quality of life of anyone with bipolar illness."—Daniel J. Taylor, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas

"A great book has gotten even better. The Workbook is an invaluable aid to managing bipolar disorder and achieving sustained wellness. I highly recommend this lucidly written book to people with bipolar illness and their families and friends."—Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

From the Publisher

"A practical, bottom line tool....The structure and focus that counselors struggle to impart to persons with bipolar disorder is effectively presented in this client-friendly workbook....The best part, in my view as a therapist, is the overall tone of the book, which is positive, encouraging, and empowering.” (on the first edition)

The Masters' Advocate

Reviewer: Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM, FAAETS (C3 Education and Research, Inc.)
Description: This second edition of a successful workbook for patients with bipolar disorder is more streamlined, has more concise chapters, and new exercises. Once again, Dr. Basco successfully guides patients through the course of the various stages of their illness at an easy-to-understand level. The workbook continues to give patients the awareness, understanding, and knowledge to take control and ownership of their illness. It also will serve as an excellent resource for clinicians, families, and friends.
Purpose: The focus is on the symptoms that are caused by the spectrum of disorders that share common features. Those who have a pattern of episodes or periods in which their symptoms start, reach a peak, and begin to taper off will benefit from this workbook, which is designed to help persons track and monitor for signs of triggers or stress. As in the first edition, it includes the methods for catching and controlling mood swings, but this update has been expanded to include subsyndromal features as well. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, but readers can skip sections if they have already mastered the skills or if the section does not apply to them. This second edition maintains two important themes - it provides a trusted resource for patients to turn to and it provides them a means of taking control of their illness and, ultimately, their life.
Audience: Every patient who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder will find this a most beneficial resource. Notably, clinicians will enjoy sharing the exercises and tools with their patients as well. The author is a well-regarded member of the mental health field.
Features: The book is well structured into five sections that cover how to control mood swings, how to identify triggers early and improve coping, avoiding things that make a patient feel worse, taking precautions to prevent relapse and reducing and controlling symptoms, and strengthening coping skills to promote healthier living. This is a well-written and easy-to-read book that provides a solid foundation for patients to take control of their illness. The book promotes stability, medication compliance, managing emotions, and a proactive stance to help retain remission.
Assessment: This update is an even more thorough and important workbook for people with bipolar illness. It is a must-read for every person with bipolar disorder.

Doody's Review Service

"A practical, bottom line tool....The structure and focus that counselors struggle to impart to persons with bipolar disorder is effectively presented in this client-friendly workbook....The best part, in my view as a therapist, is the overall tone of the book, which is positive, encouraging, and empowering.”—The Masters' Advocate (on the first edition)

]The Masters' Advocate

"Extremely useful to patients and professionals....This is an excellent example of putting helpful, evidence-based tools and information in the hands of people...who are experiencing a baffling disorder."(on the first edition)

PyscCRITIQUES