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Material Type | Library | Call Number | Suggested Age | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book | Searching... Cabell County Public Library | 362.1968950092273 V | Adult | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Heartbreaking and yet humorous, this inspirational collection includes personal stories from more than 40 diverse people who are living with bipolar disorder--a condition that affects some five million Americans. Each story reveals strategies used to cope with the varying symptoms--from mania and depression to recklessness and listlessness--and offers insight into what it is like to have this mood instability disorder. Paired with essays from renowned medical researchers on the science of the disease and a comprehensive resources section on where to get help, these first-hand accounts illustrate the strength of the human spirit and offer the advice and encouragement essential to recovery. For those seeking bravery, consolation, strength, and understanding, this collection of stories is an invaluable and uplifting resource.
Author Notes
Judith Cohen is a writer and a teacher whose work has appeared in Rosebud , Mochila Review , and Women's Review of Books . She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Reviews (1)
Library Journal Review
This latest addition to the Healing Project's worthy "Voices of" series (see also the entries on Alzheimer's, autism, and caregiving) collects the stories of 34 individuals with bipolar disease and their loved ones. Divided into five categories-"How It Feels," "Diagnosis," "Bipolar Is in Our Blood," "The Caregivers," and "I've Learned To Manage It"-the essays vary in length. Some have happy endings, as in the case of a married couple who stayed together with a sense of humor; others do not. All are real and will strike a chord with the intended audience, who continue to suffer under the weight of a heavy stigma. VERDICT An essential purchase for those suffering from the illness, as well as for family, friends, and other caregivers; all proceeds go to the Healing Project, a recognized tax-exempt organization.-Leigh Mihlrad, Albany Medical Coll., NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Table of Contents
| Introduction: The Healing Project | p. xi |
| An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder | p. xvii |
| Next to Normal; Bipolar Disorder Takes Center Stage | p. xvii |
| Acknowledgments | p. xxxvii |
| Part 1 How It Feels | |
| Buried Under Water | p. 3 |
| Sui Generous | p. 7 |
| Saturday | p. 11 |
| Psychosis | p. 17 |
| One Sparkling Facet | p. 21 |
| So, You Crazy? | p. 27 |
| Ups and Downs | p. 33 |
| ThereÆs Always Something More Than Meets the Eye | p. 39 |
| Part 2 Diagnosis | |
| The Girl Who Used To Be Me | p. 45 |
| A New Painting | p. 49 |
| What They See Is What You Get: On the (Mis)Diagnosis, Un-Diagnosis, and Re-Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder | p. 55 |
| A Little Help from My Friend | p. 61 |
| The Struggle and the Hope | p. 65 |
| My Vision of Recovery | p. 69 |
| Part 3 Bipolar Is In Our Blood | |
| My MotherÆs Keeper | p. 77 |
| Hope | p. 81 |
| Bipolar Disorder: A MotherÆs Perspective | p. 85 |
| Bipolar Disorder: A DaughterÆs Perspective | p. 93 |
| Research Takes Brains | p. 99 |
| Committal | p. 103 |
| Part 4 The Caregivers | |
| Almost Contagious | p. 109 |
| HusbandÆs Two Cents | p. 113 |
| Just a Normal Girl | p. 117 |
| Making Memories | p. 121 |
| Hand in Hand with a Bipolar Husband | p. 125 |
| Part 5 IÆve Learned to Manage It | |
| Dealing with Alternative Cloud Patterns | p. 131 |
| You Know Me | p. 135 |
| Forward Momentum | p. 139 |
| Why I Write | p. 143 |
| Seeking Freedom | p. 147 |
| Let the Music Be Your Master | p. 155 |
| Dear Valerie | p. 161 |
| Pushing Forward | p. 169 |
| Love Has No Boundaries | p. 173 |
| Resources | p. 177 |
