Short Synopsis
A guide for family and friends of the 5 million American adults suffering from this difficult disorder (10 million according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness), compared to 2.2 million people over 18 in the US who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. From psychotic behavior that requires medication to milder mood swings with disturbing ups and down, warm, sometimes humorous user-friend guide to coping with loved ones, colleagues, and friends with some form of this malady. Among the useful topics, techniques, and case examples are: * How do you know if someone has bipolar disorder. What are the symptoms and how is the diagnosis confirmed * How can you deal with rants, attacks, blame, depression, mania and other behaviors * What are the best options for treatment? * When is medication a good idea and when isn't it? What are potential side-effects? What if it doesn't work, should you just stop? * What if your bipolar partner demands secrecy and won't talk about it? * What if someone with a bipolar disorder attempts to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol? * How can someone living with someone who has bipolar disorder care for themselves, get help, feel supported and go on with their own lives. * Does individual or couple counseling help?

Full Synopsis
A guide for family and friends of the 5 million American adults suffering from this difficult disorder (10 million according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness), compared to 2.2 million people over 18 in the US who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. From psychotic behavior that requires medication to milder mood swings with disturbing ups and down, warm, sometimes humorous user-friend guide to coping with loved ones, colleagues, and friends with some form of this malady. Among the useful topics, techniques, and case examples are: * How do you know if someone has bipolar disorder. What are the symptoms and how is the diagnosis confirmed * How can you deal with rants, attacks, blame, depression, mania and other behaviors * What are the best options for treatment? * When is medication a good idea and when isn't it? What are potential side-effects? What if it doesn't work, should you just stop? * What if your bipolar partner demands secrecy and won't talk about it? * What if someone with a bipolar disorder attempts to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol? * How can someone living with someone who has bipolar disorder care for themselves, get help, feel supported and go on with their own lives. * Does individual or couple counseling help?