Replies to '08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows'

I happened to see her speak in person ten years ago, and found her story inspirational.  ( My mother with bipolar never has been very functional, so I am always amazed by the people who manage to accomplish things.  That is when I bought the two books.  I have a habit of buying self-help books.  It was nice to have all the resources and ideas she offered in one place.  If finances are a problem, you probably can find similar information for free on the internet.  Or if you have another similar book it probably offers similar things.  In the "Living Without Depression and Manic Depression" I liked her chapters on Lifestyle (Developing  a Lifestyle jThat Enhances Wellness, Fine-Tuning your Lifestyle, and Creating a Career that Works).  I thought that the How to Advocate Effectively for Yourself chapter would be good for someone with bipolar. (I so far only have unipolar depression, although I often worry I will get it too.)  It has a chapter on creating a support network, eliminating the physical causes of mood disorders, and taking medication safely.  (Keep in mind, many new meds have come out since this book was first published).  She has chapters that work on Minimizing Negative Influences from the Past, Resolving Trauma, Making the Most of Counseling, Focusing on what's Really Bothering you, Using Your Journal for Release, and Raising your Self-Esteem.  (Of course, entire books have been written about many of these subjects.)  I really liked her section on Preventing depression, and responding to the symptoms of depression.  She also had chapters on preventing mania and responding to the symptoms of mania.   

She has similar things in the first book, The Depression Workbook.  Basically, keeping a mood chart or diary, and watching for your personal warning signs that you are slipping into one or the other in order to help you keep your moods controlled.  She has worksheets  & checklists throughout the book for all this stuff, to help YOU identify, what is helpful to YOU, combined with suggestions from her and all the other people with bipolar who contributed ideas.  She has  good chapters about using relaxation exercises to stabilize moods, diet, exercise, four chapters about support and finding appropriate heatlh care professionals.  She has a chapter on "New Ways of Thinking" to help you find distorted thoughts and replace them.   

I hope this was helpful.  My main problem is sticking to the program.  I stop exercising, and relapse & eat crap, even though I know I feel better when I exercise and eat right.  I start a mood chart or diary, but stop after a few weeks.  Good luck!