Waubonsee Community College

Bipolar, not so much, understanding your mood swings and depression, Chris Aiken, M.D., and James Phelps, M.D

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Bipolar, not so much

bibliography

953387109

Chris Aiken, M.D., and James Phelps, M.D

understanding your mood swings and depression

"Approaching depression as a complex disorder with many different facets rather than all-or-nothing, "--Amazon.com"Depression confuses the mind, strips away hope, and causes people to blame themselves for an illness they never asked for. This book presents a revolutionary new understanding of the concept of depression and offers readers skills and strategies to manage it. Mood disorders are now seen to form a spectrum of problems, from common depression on one end to full bipolar disorder on the other. In between these extremes are multitudes of people who are on the middle of the mood spectrum, and this book is for them. The first part of the book helps readers answer the question, "Where am I on the mood spectrum?" By laying the foundation for understanding this spectrum, Aiken and Phelps highlight the key distinctions that define unipolarity, bipolarity, hypomania, mania, and depression. Readers will be able to discern which definition best fits their experience, and use this understanding to learn which treatment methods will work best. The authors also empower readers to look beyond antidepressants. They walk readers through new medications for the mood spectrum, and offer a guide to non-medication treatments that anyone can use on their own, from diet and lifestyle changes to natural supplements. The book also discusses other innovative technologies that can aid in recovery, including dawn simulators, mood apps, and blue-light filters. This thoughtful and beneficial book will offer readers skills and strategies, as well as hope, in the face of debilitating mental challenges."--Jacket

Part one: What type of depression do you have?. Understanding the mood spectrum ; The down side : depression ; The up side : from hypomania to mania, and everything in-between ; The mixed-up side : when mania and depression collide ; A little bipolar? How much? ; About your diagnosis ; Is it all in the genes? ; The living side : finding normal -- Part two: A healing lifestyle. Daily rhythms ; Light and dark ; Managing insomnia ; Getting active ; Exercise? How about just walking ; Diet ; Managing substances ; Coming soon : bipolar and technology -- Part three: Treatment. The right stuff : how to find good care ; Medications : our top choices ; Mood-lifting stabilizers : the full details ; Antidepressants and other mood destabilizers ; Medications for breakthrough episodes ; Anxiety, concentration, and sleep : the other poles of bipolar ; Natural healers ; Knowing when to stop medications ; Live long and minimize side effects ; Beyond medication : electricity, magnets, and depression ; Good therapy -- Part four: Reclaiming your life. Relationships ; Work and school ; For friends and family