Have you been Diagnosed with Depression?
Resource library

Books:

Many people who have experienced Bipolar Disorder have written about their experiences and their journeys to wellness. Here are some books you may like to read:

Broken Open. By Craig Hamilton

In a remarkable memoir ABC broadcaster Craig Hamilton tells what it's like to go mad in public and survive to tell the tale. Hamilton explores how his breakdown and diagnosis of bipolar disorder affected his family, work colleagues and friends. In doing so he lifts the covers on the taboo subject of depression and shows how he stared down his demons to resurrect his life and career.
http://www.craig-hamilton.com/

Adult Bipolar Disorders. By Mitzi Waltz

ISBN: 0596500106 - Paperback

Bipolar disorders are changes in the brain and nervous system that cause severe mood swings, from the deepest suicidal depression to the most elevated euphoria. Left untreated, bipolar disorders can plunge a person into absolute hell. Suicide is a possible outcome, as are school failure, limited job prospects, legal difficulties, and hospitalisation. Families and communities pay a heavy toll when this disorder is not recognised and treated. Many traditional treatments, investigational medications, and complementary therapies can address symptoms and improve the lives of people with bipolar disorders. This guide to bipolar disorders covers a range of topics that should be useful for people to help themselves or a loved one including: bipolar disorders; diagnosis; myths and misconceptions about the disease; medications, therapy, and other interventions, such as improving sleep patterns, preventing seasonal mood swings, diet, and supplements; family life with bipolar disorders; and ways to cope with diagnosis and treatment, including advice on support systems, insurance, and employment. [Source: Dymocks]

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding & Helping Your Partner. By Julie A. Fast & John Preston

ISBN: 1572243422 - Paperback

Bipolar disorder is characterised by alternating periods of dramatically manic behaviour and episodes of extreme sadness and hopelessness, often with periods of normalcy in between. Those close to sufferers may experience feelings of constant uncertainty about the bipolar individual's mood. Specifically for the partner of a bipolar individual, learn how to control episodic crises and create a loving, healthy and supportive relationship. Find out what type of coping approaches work and which do not. Know when to call for help. All of the tactics in this book offer relief, engender a greater sense of stability and reassures the partner that this is absolutely achievable with patience and good advice. [Source: Dymocks]

Coping with Bipolar Disorder. By Steven Jones, Peter Haywood & Dominic Lam

ISBN: 1851682996 - Paperback

A guide to coping with bipolar disorder which offers information on all the key areas, including medication, dealing with stress, and using psychological techniques to cope with manic depression. "Coping with Bipolar Disorder" is designed specifically for sufferers of bipolar disorder, their carers, friends and families. It combines definitive coverage of the condition and information about treatment with an approach which encourages patients to manage their own psychological health using cognitive behaviour therapy, as well as the more traditional medication regimes. The result is a straightforward book that should empower sufferers, in addition to giving them necessary advice on such key areas as sleeping habits, coping with stress and anger, and relating to family and friends. [Source: Dymocks]

A Lifelong Journey. Staying Well with Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder. By Dr Sarah Russell

Many people with manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, are living happy and fulfilling lives. How do they manage to stay well. Contributors to this book discuss many different ways to stay well. It is rarely just about seeing a psychiatrist and taking prescribed medication. It is often about so much more.
People who contributed to this collection are working as social workers, engineers, lawyers, stock brokers, nurses, builders, general practitioners, factory workers and so on. Many are parents. Each contributor speaks about manic depression in a personal and unique way. Together, they provide evidence that people with manic depression can, and do, stay well.
Although there is not a one-fix-fixes-all approach, there are some common strategies that people with manic depression use to stay well. With insight, education, experience and time, people with manic depression learn what works for them, and what does not work. Contributors to the book use their own life experiences and circumstances to create individual stay well plans. Their examples will help others with manic depression to create their own stay well plans. This book will provide hope for people with manic depression, their families and friends. By providing a wellness view of manic depression, this book may also provide important new insights for health care professionals.
http://www.michelleandersonpublishing.com/general_health.html#lifelong

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