Bipolar Disorder: Insights for Recovery

I run a small company providing role-players who work with law enforcement personnel in an effort to help them deal more effectively and empathetically with the mentally challenged population. I am also an actor myself. I found this book quite illuminating in the insights it provided about Bipolar Disorder "from the inside." It is now recommended reading for all my actors. Knowledge is our greatest ally against prejudice, and I expect the information contained in this book will be of great help in our representation of bipolar individuals.

As a sufferer of type I bipolar disorder, I have been struggling with this disease for decades in total ignorance. As a result of a recent diagnosis, I've been reading just about every resource available. I found Dr. Mountain's book provides insightful information and advice through comprehensible narrative in a style that is well suited to the general public. I can certainly identify with her personal experiences and found myself wanting more. I cannot wait for her sequel.

This book gives the reader much insight into the condition. Dr Mountain begins a facet of the disease with the medical terms used, then simplifies it so that the average person can clearly understand what is being dealt with. The fact that Dr Mountain has suffered from this allows her to clearly discribe "How it feels"

As a survivor of manic depression myself, I must commend Dr. Mountain. Her book is an immensely valuable public service. She explains the disease to lay people even though she is an experienced physician. I don't mean to dwell on myself, but I must say I am a writer by trade. Many writers have been diagnosed with this frightful disease. Dr. Mountain hit the nail on the head when she said the following on page 16 about what a manic phase feels like: "Life felt like a dense atmosphere of swirling gray smog that threatened to suffocate me." That's how I felt during my manic phases before lithium brought relief. I would go on shopping binges. I would lie awake nights thinking terrible thoughts about George Bush's family trying to control my thoughts. Oooh, how it influenced my writing negatively! I started rambling on about my old college professors having ties to the CIA. Thank G'd for lithium and now Prozac. Thank you again, Dr. Mountain. You should couple YOUR writing with the lecture circuit. How I'd love to write an article in my Probe newsletter about your gentle approach to this horrible disease! Please start giving lectures around North America. I will be there to spread the word. I got your back, kiddo.

As a reader, also diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, I appreciate Dr. Mountains Insights for Recovery. The concept that a person can experience both mania and depression at the same time is right on! This idea is explored with a graph on page 108. Dr. Mountain is straight forward and frank when discussing her own illness. She presents an accurate, medically based, and level headed approach to recovery and offers hope to her readers. Advocating for health and wellness, she supports grass root organizations and consumer driven programs that promote recovery.