Commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycles of mania, depression or mixed emotional states that often disrupt work, school, family and social life. To help sufferers and their loved ones, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies (Wiley, 340 pages, $19.99) breaks down the barriers to understanding, treating and living with this complex disease.

Written by Candida Fink, MD, a psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder, and Joe Kraynak, MA, a professional writer with a close family member diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies is a reassuring guide that explains the brain chemistry behind the disease, as well as the latest medications and therapies.  It offers sound advice and self-help techniques that you and your loved ones can use to ease and eliminate symptoms, function in times of crisis, plan ahead for manic or depressive episodes, and feel better.  Topics covered include: diagnosis and treatment, selecting a mental health specialist, mood charting, managing employment-related issues, and how bipolar disorder affects children.            

From diagnosis to planning ahead for relapses, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies provides readers with the tools and information they need to live with the disease.  The book starts with an overview of bipolar disorder and moves onto: how to control the disease, choose treatment options, and help yourself or assist a friend or relative. Dr. Fink specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry and has included a special chapter titled “Backing Your Bipolar Child,” with ways family members can support a child with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder usually has a different look and feel in children than it has in adults, and it shares many symptoms with other problems, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD.  Remain vigilant for the following warning signs: 

- You see big changes in behavior; your child is doing much more or less than usual.

- Your child sleeps all the time or has plenty of energy with little or no sleep.

- He or she has a persistent irritable, angry mood over and above typical teenage behavior.

- Your child experiences uncontrollable rages or tantrums over minor day-to-day demands.

- He or she destroys property, shows aggression, or threatens to hurt others.  (If you check this warning sign, seek help immediately.)

- Your child hates himself or feels as though he can do no wrong.

- He or she has withdrawn socially or has begun engaging in potentially dangerous activities,

  such as sex, drugs, excessive shopping, stealing, and so on.

- Your child persistently feels sadness, hopelessness, despair, or crushing boredom.

- You notice changes in your child’s concentration, grades dropping, or problems in school.

- Your child has expressed suicidal thoughts or engaged in self-harm, such as cutting.  (If you check this warning sign, call a professional immediately.)

Like all For Dummies^® books, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies concludes with “The Part of Tens,” including "Ten Questions to Ask a Psychiatrist or Therapist,” “Ten Ways to Fight the High Cost of Treatment,” and “Ten Ways to Help the Bipolar Community.”   A helpful "cheat sheet" gives symptoms to identify if you have ever been depressed, or manic/hypomanic, as well as ways to beat the blues and tips to muffle the mania.

Bipolar Disorder For Dummies provides sound advice and self-help techniques that you and your loved ones can use to ease and eliminate symptoms, function in times of crisis, plan ahead for manic or depressive episodes and feel better.