Bipolar, not so much Understanding your mood swings and depression

Aiken (director, Mood Treatment Ctr.) and Phelps (director, Samaritan Mental Health; A Spectrum Approach to Mood Disorders) present an easy-to-read analysis of bipolar spectrum disorder. The authors clarify the spectrum from unipolar (depression without mania) to bipolar (mania with or without depression). Their focus is on a form of depression that falls somewhere in between these two extremes, settling on the term depression with bipolarity or bipolarity. This work is filled with pragmatic, valuable information that helps readers figure out where they may be on the disorder spectrum, explains various symptoms of the disorder, provides handy self-diagnostic tests, and offers tips to assist readers in connecting with their -physician. The treatment section includes how to find good care, the latest information on medications, top choices for treatment, explanations of each of the primary groups of medications, natural healing agents, knowing when medications can be discontinued, information on therapy that can support long-term wellness, and an important discussion on the impact of the disorder on family, work, and school relationships. VERDICT A remarkable addition to the growing genre of mental health disorders and treatment that relates to the reality of how many patients with a mood disorder do not necessarily fit one end or another of the disorder spectrum.- Dale Farris, Groves, TX © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.