Bipolar Disorder: Family-Focused Treatment Approach, a

This book preceded Miklowitz's very popular "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide". The question then arises: should you buy this book as well? I think the answer is yes. This book puts forth the family-focused treatment approach, and in doing so supplements the information in the "Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide", which is more so directly about patients suffering from the disorder. Furthermore, this book is very well written and organized, and focuses upon a perhaps underappreciated means for treating the illness. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".

Overall excellent reference for the background, progress, and prospects for bipolar disorder and its sufferers. As the book points out, along with appropriate medications, family support is critical to a favorable disease course. Education of the patient and family is the cornerstone of episodic recovery and the prevention of relapses (as much as is possible), and this book provides excellent, useful summary information as well as proven approaches for resolving difficult issues. Many of the tools described in the book such as active listening and basic problem solving skills have wide application beyond the FFT approach. Their application to bipolar patients and their families, though, requires great delicacy at times, and the authors provide helpful insights through actual clinical examples. Each bipolar case and family is different, and there are no universal cookie-cutter answers, but combined with recent pharmacological advances, this proposed approach provides the best hope for a favorable course.As the primary supporter of a bipolar family member, I've learned many of these lessons the hard way over the years. Even with that long experience, I found new insights here. My experience strongly supports the authors' premise that the patient and his/her family are THE critical elements in a favorable episodic recovery and long-term maintenance. Though written for the clinician, Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach is easily understandable and usable by family members and patients. I highly recommend it for both.

This is an excellent informational book for those who have bipolar disorder and their families. The book is designed to be used by mental health care professionals, and I most certainly encourage them to purchase this book for a family treatment plan that will benefit their clients and the client's family. The approach of the therapy takes the entire family into consideration. It is not just the individual with bipolar that goes through the trauma, but the entire family. The therapy educates the patient and the family as to the disorder and its' attributes, gives the family ways of coping with the disorder and hospitalization, works on medicinal compliance, and prepares the client and the family for any future episodes. Most importantly, it improves the communication of the family which leads to a healthier environment for the client as well as the family. This book is a definite must have for mental health care providers as well as clients and their families. Excellent Job Dr. Miklowitz. By the way, I have bipolar disorder and am a graduate student studying Agency Counseling Education. I have every intention of using the methods in this book for my clients and myself. Well Worth The Money!!!