[.ca] Bipolar Puzzle Solution: A Mental Health Client's ... (ISBN 1560324937)

Medication Is NOT the "Key," and Is In Fact Dangerous!:
As a person who has fully recovered from a diagnosis of "manic depression," or "bipolar disorder," I can say with certainty that "medication" is NOT the "key," as this book claims it is. You read that correctly, by the way---I recovered from a DIAGNOSIS of "manic depression," and everything that went along with it---the psychiatrists, the "concerned" family members, the drugs, the hospitalizations---all of it. We are all individual human beings, and each of us has a particular outlook and way of behaving toward others and toward the world. If one's outlook and one's behaviors and responses toward others and toward the world are troublesome or dangerous to ourselves or to others, then one needs to be made aware of what is wrong, and one needs to be helped to change those things, not given a permanent drug prescription. There are therapists who are skilled at giving such help, which can lead to recovery. Unfortunately, what happens far more often than not is that a psychiatrist sells one a permanent "diagnosis," along with the permanent drug, or drugs, that "matches" the diagnosis, and no further progress is ever made toward recovery. Allow me to point out to the authors of "Bipolar Puzzle Solution" that lithium, the main drug used for manic depression, is positively toxic, and toxic overdoses, which can be fatal, regularly occur. I myself experienced such an episode. For two weeks I was semi-comatose in the hospital, and I remmember nothing about that period of time. After that episode, Tegratol was substituted for the lithium, and it had the side effect of permanently lowering my blood platelet count. Also, because regular anti-depressants did not help when I was depressed, I was given MAO Inhibitors. I found out later that over the long term, they can permanently alter brain chemistry, leaving one permanently dependent on them. Drugs may have their place in the treatment of "manic depression" or "bipolar disorder," but they are not "the key." The key lies in getting into therapy with a therapist or counselor who can help one recognize and change one's troublesome behaviors. For example, a psychiatrist I was seeing told me I had "a problem with rage," and that because that was "a part of my makeup," I would "always have a problem with rage." When I left that psychiatrist, and began seeing a "mere" and very gifted social worker, she lost no time in showing me that I ALWAYS had A CHOICE about whether or not to get into a rage, and she taught me that I am responsible for, and have control over, my feelings and actions. Today I am no longer someone who lives in fear of my feelings, "moods" and actions. I no longer have to swallow drugs to "keep myself under control." I no longer need any psychiatrist to give me his opinion about my sanity. I am instead a free, well and responsible individual. It took a lot of work and determination, but it was unquestionably worth it! "The key" is not medication; the key is learning about and changing one's behavior and one's outlook.

Caution-:
There are two things that potential readers need to be aware of. First, that the author has been diagnosed as Bipolar II. There is a difference between I and II, so if you happen to be Bipolar I, do not expect to read about the extremes that you may experience. Second, this author comes from a Christian perspective. This is great if you happen to be a Christian; otherwise, you might find his references to God/He/Jesus rather annoying. I do have to note that the physician,Gerald Nelson, portrays a pleasing demeanor that makes reading his comments enjoyable. Therefore, if you are a Christian with Bipolar II, go for it. If you are not, borrow a copy before you buy one.

This book is so true!:
In this book, the author says that the right medication is the key to relief from symptoms of bipolar illness. His statement is completely true. When others, like Elliot who wrote a review here, say that therapy is the key, THEY ARE WRONG! Elliot does not see that the illness is a biological one resulting in mood disturbances. If Elliot could rid himself of bipolar symptoms through therapy, he DID NOT HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER, but had symptoms from other origins. This bipolar book has the answers and they are backed up by countless people who have a bipolar disorder. I say to Elliot and all people ignorant of the truth, get your facts straight and quit giving your misguided, twisted advice or experience. Buy the book and avoid going down the desolate road that Elliot is on!

A piece in the bipolar puzzle solution:
I found this to be a pretty good book about bipolar disorder- practical, well written, and easy to use. The book is up against some heavyweights since it is a practical guide to living with the illness- Torrey's "Surviving Manic Depression" and Miklowitz's "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" are formidable, excellent books on this subject. I like to get my information from a variety of sources however, so I think this book is a worthy addition to any small library on bipolar disorder, even though it doesn't provide the level of detail or expertise that the other two books bring to the table. Nonetheless, I learned quite a bit from this book. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

A good summary of typical support groups. Too expensive!:
This book is good, however, I wish that it had more information from the doctor. No two bipolars are alike. It did help my understanding of my mood disorder. The book was a bit on the expensive side, but obviously, I bought it anyway.