Having experienced Bipolar Disorder for several years now, I finally decided it was time to accept that I have this disease and to begin to understand it. "Why Am I Up, Why Am I Down" is a fast-paced, accessible book that tells you what you need to know.
The main idea that runs through this book is: Bipolar Disorder is a serious illness and needs to be treated by a psychiatrist. Having the disorder can mean a significant impairment in life functioning and, though it is not curable, it is treatable.
The book is written like a big brochure. It's organized into eight chapters covering aspects of identifying and learning to live with the disease: (1) Definitions/Overview; (2) Symptoms/Diagnosis; (3) Causes; (4) How to Get Help; (5) The Role of Psychotherapy; (6) The Role of Medication; (7) Alternative Therapies; (8) Coping. Each chapter is broken down into a friendly question-and-answer format, asking questions like, "What is the typical day like for someone in a hypomanic state," and then answering them.
While there is a chapter on alternative therapies, one of the main ideas in this book is that, if you have Bipolar Disorder, you'll probably be taking medication (combined with other therapies).
What this book drills over and over again is that Bipolar Disorder is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated. "Bipolar disorder is the leading cause of suicide in the country," the book says. ...
For readers looking for basic information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN is a useful resource. All the practical information one needs to begin education oneself is concisely presented in a question/answer format that reads quickly. However, readers expecting information beyond the basics will be well advised to continue their search elsewhere. There is little here for those who wish to live successfully with the illness. Moreover, the dry, clinical tone lends an air of bleakness, failing to recognize the large number of people diagnosed as bipolar that live healthy, successfully lives. Nevertheless, for readers seeking a beginner's understanding of mental illness and a guide through the morass of finding help, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN will provide the practical advise needed to make a start.