Bipolar Disorder

Product Description

The past 10 years have seen a dramatic increase of interest in psychosocial treatments of bipolar disorder. There is now substantial empirical evidence suggesting the effectiveness of such treatments. However, this accumulated information has not yet been transferred into clinical practice in many settings.

Help is now at hand. This compact volume brings to the practitioner a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to the treatment of bipolar disorder that is practical, easily accessible, and can be readily applied in clinical practice.

This practitioner’s guide begins by describing the main features of bipolar disorder and considerations for differential diagnosis based on DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria. Following this, current theories and models are described, along with decision trees for evaluating the best treatment options. The volume then guides the reader through a systematic, integrated approach to treatment, based on the best of recent research. The authors describe a structured directive therapy that is also collaborative and client centered. Special considerations, including managing suicide risk, substance misuse, and medication nonadherence, are addressed. The volume is rounded off by the inclusion of clinically oriented tools and sample forms.

From the Reviews

"This book was a joy to read. There are so many "pearls" of new information in this book… This very readable book will go a long way towards helping us with optimal diagnosis and management."
David Cree in GPpsychotherapist, Summer 2006

"This is an exceptionally well-written and comprehensive book on bipolar disorder. The reader will find it an excellent reference for everyday clinical practice... This is quite possibly the most thorough compact book on bipolar disorder. Case in point, the differential diagnosis of Bipolar I versus Bipolar II, Bipolar I and Bipolar II versus major depression, etc., is terrific. The various theories and models such as family-based and CBT are well covered. Treatment and treatment indications are practical, up-to-date, and cover such pertinent topics as suicide risk assessment and management, treatment adherence, and psychosocial stressors....This is definitely one of the standout books of the year in terms of additive value to the field, comprehensiveness, and applicability to the daily practice of clinicians. Highly recommended."
Nicholas Greco IV, M.S., C.A.T.S.M., C.C.R.A.(Abbott Laboratories) in Doody's Book Review

"I found this book easy to read, informative, and user-friendly... I would recommend it as supplementary reading for psychiatric trainees who are preparing for their membership examination. Clinicians who are oriented towards the cognitive behavioural paradigm will also find this book useful, especially if the bulk of their work is day hospital-based or involves outpatient settings."
Eddie So in the Hong Kong Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 15, 2005

"Patients with bipolar disorder can be very challenging, even to experienced therapists. This guide provides excellent advice for practicing clinicians to more fully understand, accurately diagnose, and effectively treat these patients, using approaches with demonstrated efficacy. Interesting clinical vignettes highlight essential principles and valuable worksheets and self-help resources extend the utility of the guide for clinicians and patients."
Judith S. Beck, Ph.D.
Director, Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
President, Academy of Cognitive Therapy

"The monograph... is a superb, succinct, scientifically accurate and balanced compendium of information about bipolar disorders and their management. The book fills a niche and a genuine need for a practical scientific review of the psychosocial management of this disabling illness. It is scholarly and yet very practical, including appropriate illustrative clinical vignettes and a number of pragmatic suggestions on how best to approach the psychosocial treatment of bipolar depression. It is well organized and useful, focusing on important issues like evaluating suicide risk and managing it, enhancing treatment adherence, controlling and managing co-occurring substance abuse disorders, as well as suggestions on how to improve the lives of both patients, their families and significant others. The organizational framework of Bipolar Disorder is excellent and it is formatted in such a way as to enhance learning. It is especially strong, in outlining and accurately analyzing the key, empirically proven, techniques of psychotherapy for patients with bipolar disorder along with specific suggestions on how these particular techniques can be applied. In my opinion, Bipolar Disorder is a must for clinicians interested in psychotherapeutic management from this illness. It is a very readable little gem, and I recommend it to interested clinicians without reservation."
Lewis L. Judd, M.D.