I bought this book for my wife about a year ago. She's manic bipolar and has a hard time dealing with some things. I purchased this book not only to better understand her, but to help her overcome the effects that it has on her. This book has helped both of us so much. We are even closer, as a couple. We are also happy. I now understand how hard it is for her, and I know what to do when she has an attack. I would recommend this book not only to someone suffering from a bipolar disorder, but to someone who wants to understand their friend or loved one, suffering from it.

As some who has also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I loved this book. I was so confused with myself, and I had this horrible habit of taking it out on the people around me. It was always the people that cared and tried to help me out the most. This book was bought for me, by one of those amazing friends. After reading this book, it helped me calm me down from the overwhelming hissy fits. It also helped me understand why I was feeling the way I was, as well as reacting to everything. Medication isn't always the key, and I would recommend this book to anyone that needs help dealing with bipolar disorder. This is truly a great read.

This book was amazing in helping my father learn to manage his bipolar disorder, and helping me in my relationship with him. The four step plan is wonderful! Everyone with a relative with BPD, and everyone with BPD should read this book!

After dating a guy with bipolar disorder for almost 2 years, I needed to educate myself in order to deal with his problems and also to keep myself sane. I didn't show him the book right away because I was afraid of what he would do, but I quietly read it by myself - and felt like now I was armed to go into battle against something I once feared. FInally I understood his mood swings, his sometimes violent reaction to simple annoyances, his tendency to self medicate and his inability to hold down a job. Finally, I was able to talk to him when he was manic and/or depressed without fearing I would drive him off. It gave me invaluable tools. It made sense to me, finally. I found this book to not only be a wonderful read for people who live with or are otherwise involved with someone with the disorder, but it is exactly what a bipolar person needs. It is structured and gives a detailed, step by step plan. It's easy to follow and has wonderful side stories with real life examples. I finally gave the book to that guy not too long ago, and he's already made changes. A great book!

As a person who suffers from bipolar disorder, one of the hardest things to deal with is isolation. This book is very understanding of the disorder, but is written from a perspective that is more personal, and understanding, then the dry academia usually found about bipolar disorder. In the last several years I've managed to ruin my career prospects, end up a single mother, and amass a load of debt. Thanks to things found in this book (and a heck of a lot of work!) I'm now on the way back to school for a new career, doing great with my son, and working on the debt. I've truly learned from this book that it's necessary to take responsibility for your actions. I would definitely recommend it to both sufferers and people who deal with people who suffer from bipolar!

My sister...wow, she was hard to grow up with because of her bipolar disorder. Because of the disorder, she is hard to tell she's wrong. Its really hard in fact. So when I got this book, I thought I might find some easy ways to let her know what I feel without being preachy. Without telling her I had a book as my guide I walked her through all 4 steps of the disorder and I have to say she is much better today and she can see when things change and how she feels, but those are 2 breakthroughs I have to credit to Dr. Fast. Really I think this book is a breakthrough and you really don't have to have the disorder to benefit from this book. Everyone around my sister notices a change, and my sister credits me for that.

When I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder a year ago, I wasn't sure where to look for support. I was in dire straights having made a mess of my career, and my marriage. I had read several other titles all written by doctors, each with their own take on my condition. It was refreshing and inspiring to read a book written by someone who shared my same condition and feelings. Julie really conveyed a personal knowledge of the disorder and ways to manage it, and control the disorder without letting it control you.

I would not only recommend this book to someone with bipolar disorder but I would recommend to it family and friends of someone struggling with this. This is a great read, and I keep it around to reference when I'm not feeling so tough.

This book was such a helpful tool when my husband was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It gave us a better understanding of his illness and the mindset of somebody who suffers from the illness. It was rich in content and gave good suggestions for exercise, diet, medications, and sleep patterns to better manage the illness and deal with the diagnosis.

This book is a good workbook to use when dealing with Bipolar Disorder. There is information on the differences between the types of bipolar. There is a lot of helpful information about diets, exercise and medication. There are check lists to use so that you and your family can use in a crisis situation. One of the best parts of this book was the fact that it included your family. There were helpful hints and tools directed towards the family member(s) that are helping the person with Bipolar. The point was made that this illness effects the whole family, not just the person with the disease. While this book is a helpful workbook to those suffering, it is not an in depth self help book. It is more of an overview with tips and check lists. I would recommend this book because it is helpful for the family members. It also provides great checklists, when they are done, that can be invaluable when the effected is in a crisis situation.