Candida Fink, MD (New Rochelle, New York) is a Board Certified Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist in private practice in the New York area. Dr. Fink graduated from Boston University Medical School and did her postgraduate training through Harvard Medical School. She’s currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Westchester Medical College. She has worked extensively with children and adults with complicated psychiatric illnesses. Mood disorders, especially the diagnostic and treatment questions surrounding bipolar disorder, comprise much of her practice. She also works extensively with schools and other institutions regarding developmental and psychiatric issues. Dr. Fink grew up with mood disorders in her family, so she has seen them from every angle and knows the importance of mobilizing the family as a part of any successful treatment. She has previously coauthored, with Judith Lederman, The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child: A Survival Guide for Parents (Fireside). She frequently consults and speaks on bipolar disorder in children.

Joe Kraynak, MA (Speedway, Indiana) is a freelance author who has written and co-authored dozens of books on topics ranging from slam poetry to personal computers. Joe received his degree in bipolar disorder from the College of Hard Knocks. On December 10, 1999, Joe’s wife, Cecie, a Spanish teacher at the time, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since that day, they have bounced around to a half dozen doctors and even more therapists, broke in a few young marriage counselors, survived several changes in health insurance coverage, attended dozens of support group meetings, and endured the career changes and financial hardships that commonly accompany bipolar disorder. In this book, Joe offers his experience and insight from life in the trenches.