Bipolar And The Art Of Roller Coaster Riding

Life can hold rich possibilities even for those with a mental illness. Learning to live with a mood disorder is something people do gradually, as life unfolds. Bit by bit they begin to recognise the symptoms. Gradually they begin to manage their illness. Marja Bergen is one of those people. Over the 30 years that she has had manic depression, she has gradually adopted a lifestyle that makes it possible not only to cope, but to live a full and productive life. In 'Riding the Roller Coaster', she shares some very practical tips, including escaping the blues before they grab you, what to do when you don't feel like doing anything, and keeping life stable. But there are obstacles. There is a social stigma attached to mental illness. Marja Bergen believes that this stigma can be overcome. It is a matter of accepting mental illness as an illness like any other. It is a matter of attitude. The attitude of individuals with a mental illness -- toward themselves, toward their illness and toward their potential makes a great deal of difference. To become really well, a person must work hard to improve their own life. Taking control and making things happen is far better than waiting for something to happen, and Marja Bergen writes with warmth and eloquence about how to do exactly that.

Bipolar disorder can be a devastating illness, seriously affecting not only the person with bipolar but also their children, partner, parents, family and friends. While most people are familiar with the terms 'manic depressive' and 'bipolar disorder', there remains a lack of real understanding about the illness and many sufferers and their families can feel helpless, alone and misunderstood. Family Experiences of Bipolar Disorder is a personal and honest account of bipolar disorder. The author Cara Aiken has lived with bipolar for 10 years, and in this book she gathers together her experiences and those of a host of contributors to portray the reality of the illness and its impact on family life. Their children give open and frank accounts of their lives with a bipolar parent, and partners and close family members explain how it has affected them. The book also features important facts and figures related to bipolar which are contributed by leading experts. This moving and insightful book will provide an invaluable source of guidance, advice and support to people with bipolar disorder and their families, as well as an insight for professionals into the reality of life with the illness.

Teens!! It isn't fair that you have depression or bipolar disorder. You can continue along the same path, but chances are, if someone gave you this workbook, that path isn't the best. Working through these pages will help you understand what the heck everyone is talking about. You might even see some of your behaviors and thoughts. It has practical suggestions to help you cope. What does it hurt to try? Ultimately, it is your choice to work through the issues. But, it's kinda nice to see that you aren't the only one to have these crazy thoughts.

Praise for the Second Edition: “This is a very well-written book...My students appreciated the down-to-earth style of writing...Many of my students are deathly afraid of topics that have anything to do with biology. [They] were assured by the lack of jargon and the fact that the chapters were written in a way that they could easily understand. I look forward to the third edition!” -Nathan Thomas, LCSW San Jose State University, School of Social Work “New findings emerge daily, and new medications hit the market every year...The nature of this topic lends itself to revision at least every 2-3 years to stay current and germane to current practice standards... The case studies are a nice way to transform and integrate clinical principles with social work practice. Students have enjoyed the book as a foundational text.” -Dr. Robert Mindrup, PsyD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work This comprehensive text—noted for its facility in integrating principles into practice--prepares social work students to play a key role within an interdisciplinary health care team: that of counseling clients who are taking medications used to treat common mental health conditions. The third edition has been fully revised to include new medications and reflect changes resulting from the publication of the DSM 5. Sample treatment plans, case examples, and a full glossary of medications have been updated, and the addition of a comprehensive Instructor’s Manual further enhances the text’s value. Also included is information on prescription drug abuse, expanded discussions of psychopharmacological considerations related to gender and culture, a new section on medical marijuana, pregnant women, and new content related to suicide warnings and internet availability and electronic records. The third edition also features a discussion of potential interactions with medications used to treat chronic conditions and emphasizes professional collaboration. The text is replete with guidance on common medicine-related issues social workers encounter in practice, including identifying potentially dangerous drug interactions and adverse side effects, improving medication compliance, recognizing the warning signs of drug dependence, and understanding how psychopharmacology can work in conjunction with psychosocial interventions. The role of the social worker taking into account treatment planning is stressed. The text also addresses the particular needs of children, older adults, and pregnant women and the treatment of specific mental health conditions. New to the Third Edition: • Reflects changes related to the DSM-5, the Affordable Care Act, and a multitude of new medications • Includes a restructured chapter on special populations highlighting the needs of children and adolescents, older adults and pregnant women • Presents new sections on electronic health records, telemedicine, suicide warnings, and medical marijuana • Offers enhanced coverage of psychopharmacological considerations related to gender and culture • Updates case examples, treatment plans, and extensive medication glossary • Provides a comprehensive Instructor’s Manual with PowerPoint slides, a sample syllabus, and sample tests Key Features: • Addresses the role of medication from the perspective of social work treatment • Delivers guidance on common challenges social workers encounter in practice • Encourages and empowers clients to be active in their own treatment • Emphasizes the role of the social worker in the use and misuse of medication • Identifies potentially dangerous drug interactions and adverse side effects • Explains how psychopharmacology works in conjunction with psychosocial interventions

Falling ill to depression has given me firsthand experience into the world of mental illness. My first book, Mindful Wellness: The Happiest Place in the World came about through my work with people diagnosed with a mental illness. There was some missing link in their development. The research I discovered unveiled a length of time between onset of illness, diagnosis, treatment, and finally, management or maintenance. The missing links were obvious to some but not so to others, who waited years for a correct diagnosis and then more years to come for the correct treatment and waiting for the side effects of medication to lessen. I started writing this next chapter of Mindful Wellness and got the name for this new book from my son Corey, who suggested I call it Being Happy. This book became my main focus for treatment along with medication and a balanced lifestyle. I asked myself, had I been ill with this for some time, was I not receiving the correct treatment? Luckily for me, I wasn’t missing too many links in my development. However, this illness did knock me for six. When you become almost demonised with such an alienating, fearful illness, you see no way out. All that you have learnt has disappeared, and you struggle to get back to a reality that used to work for you. I am hoping that this book, Mindful Wellness: Being Happy, rewards you as much as the journey has rewarded me. I take my hat off to all who suffer and pray that one day you will be healed from yourself and live a life of mindful wellness, being happy.

This adventure book is my experience of living with and surviving a mental illness. Traveling through manic highs and depressive lows, this book takes you on the rollercoaster ride of my life. Using poetry and snippets of my mind, I unveil myself to the public and embrace the hand that I was given. Mental health issues have hit me hard, and so this book is here to inspire people. It’s hard, but you have to carry on through the ups and downs and pick yourself up whenever you fall. Because despite coming back from the darkest of places, I can now say that I am happy to be alive!