Bipolar Bears

James "Jimmy" McReynolds was a rising star young minister when bipolar illness was diagnosed in his senior year of college. In Dancing With Bipolar Bears Dr. McReynolds shares his remarkable story and offers unsolicited advice from someone who's been there and is still there. If you have an illness, this book is your tool for shaping the life you have continued to envision but never thought possible. Norman Vincent Peale once anointed him "minister of joy to the world." Today, he is a gifted communicator who has preached nearly 70,000 sermons in 234 nations and territories. His life has been one of beating insurmountable odds to communicate his wisdom to the world. If you really want to recover, get into the workforce, overcome the stigma of your illness, call on your joy instinct to guide your life, and set and achieve life-enhancing goals, this book is for you.

Mental illness is difficult to explain to children as it is not visible. Sometimes people find it hard to talk about. This book will help children understand that Bipolar Disorder is manageable under doctor care and support of family and friends. With this help, people with Bipolar Disorder can lead normal, happy lives.

Do polar bears ever become bipolar? I don't mean do they travel to the South Pole, I mean do they get depressed over the fact that the North Pole will have disappeared in thirty years in the summers, if we don't fix climate change? It's a serious question, since the poles are warming faster than the rest of the planet. This book takes a sensitive, but light-hearted look at a serious issue where people can become unpredictably hyper and hypo by turns (not by terns), alternating between happy and sad, irritated for no reason, acting without consideration of consequence - In fact, just like humanity is when it comes to climate change. Note that for medical advice you should talk to a competent qualified medical professional!

The Bipolar Bear Family is a story about a young cub who struggles to understand his mother's behavior and her subsequent diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. The story of The Bipolar Bear Family helps children of bipolar parents address such questions as: Is this my fault? Is it contagious? Can I fix it? According to the National Institute for Mental Health, Bipolar Disorder affects more than 2 million American adults. Further, we know that the dynamics of Mental Illness closely mirror the dynamics of alcoholism and addiction in its impact on the family system. By compassionately educating parents and children, the author hopes to make a life-long difference for these courageous families.

The system isn’t broken, Mr. Nibbles. It was designed this way. Theodore is a bear with wild mood swings. When he is up, he carves epic poetry into tree trunks. When he is down, he paints sad faces on rocks and turtle shells. In search of prescription medications that will bring stability to his life, Theodore finds a job with health insurance benefits. He gets the meds, but when he can’t pay the psychiatrist’s bill, he becomes lost in the Labyrinth of Health Insurance Claims. This witty and colorful tale follows the comical exploits of Theodore, a loveable and relatable bear, as he copes with bipolar disorder, navigates the inequities of capitalist society, founds a commune, and becomes an activist, all the while accompanied by a memorable cast of characters—fat-cat insurance CEOs, a wrongfully convicted snake, raccoons with tommy guns, and an unemployed old dog who cannot learn new tricks. Entertaining, whimsical, and bitingly satirical, Bipolar Bear is a fable for grownups that manages the delicate balance of addressing society’s ills while simultaneously presenting a hopeful vision for the world.

Thirty-three-year-old Shalanna Johnson has been through a lot in her life, but always manages to bounce back. Despite her challenges and less-than-ideal track record with men, she still has many lessons to learn. Shalanna’s sister, Terry, is fighting her own battles. Unemployed and unable to pay her rent, she is now facing eviction and considering a new career as an exotic dancer. Unfortunately, she cannot lean on Shalanna for emotional support. The two sisters have always been at odds with each other due to a lifetime of favoritism and competitiveness. But when the unspeakable happens and the two rivals are forced to face their secret, now only time will tell if they can overcome their haunting past or if they will both be destroyed forever. Bipolar Bears shares the intriguing tale of two sisters embroiled in a rivalry that shatters their world and takes them plunging downward to a dark place where they can only be healed by love and understanding.

Sometimes Bipolar Bear finds himself at the bright North Pole or the dreary South Pole. Using tools he finds either on his own or with the help of his family, he's able to make his way back to his home. Cut out the sunglasses and the flashlight in the back to get involved, and if you flip through the pages quickly, you just may find a nice surprise!

From the Author: To my friends who fight the good fight of managing bipolar disorder: I applaud you. I know it is not all lollipops and toe socks-believe me! But I find that even today, with my “cub” grown, it is the simple, basic things that will keep you afloat. In addition to “stockpiling” the fruits of your “best you,” your family needs to see you putting in the time and effort every day to live a healthy lifestyle. I have been counseled that it is the essentials such as water, water, water, sunshine, exercise, healthy food, impeccable sleep hygiene, and of course a close relationship with a doctor you trust and follow. I am here to tell you that life with Bipolar disorder can be fun and fulfilling. The embarrassing moments you invariably encounter can be lived down by loveable you, who has probably received many gifts that outweigh the challenges. (If you weren’t a bipolar bear, you wouldn’t be you, right?) This book is for young and old-mother bears, father bears, cubs and anyone in the community who could benefit from being encouraged to tolerate well, and above all, have a bear-sized heart for those that are different. All the Best, Nancy Smith Earley