When Someone You Love Is Bipolar: Help and Support for You and Your Partner »

Cynthia G. Last, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. She has served on the faculties of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Nova Southeastern University, and is internationally known for her research on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. The author or editor of 13 books, Dr. Last has been widely quoted and interviewed in the media. She lives with her husband of more than 20 years, Barry M. Rubin.

When bipolar disorder afflicts the person you love, you suffer too. How have other couples learned to manage the relationship strains caused by this illness? What can you do to provide your partner with truly helpful nurturance and support? No one cares more deeply about these questions than Dr. Cynthia Last, a highly regarded therapist/researcher who also has bipolar disorder. Sharing stories and solutions from her own experience and the couples she has treated, Dr. Last offers heartfelt, practical guidance for getting through the out-of-control highs and the devastating lows--together. Learn how you can help your spouse come to terms with a bipolar diagnosis, get the most out of treatment, and reduce or prevent future mood episodes, while also taking care of yourself.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)
Description:This is an honest examination of the ups and downs of living with and loving a partner suffering from bipolar disorder. The author's own experiences and clinical practice add substantial relevance to the book.
Purpose:The primary purpose is to help people who don't have the illness meet the challenges of loving someone with bipolar disorder. This book is written specifically for spouses and partners. The author draws not only from her own experience living with bipolar disorder, but also from her work as a clinical psychologist.
Audience:Clearly, spouses and partners as well as family and friends will benefit from this book. Mental health professionals will gain valuable knowledge to share with patients and clients.
Features:Bipolar disorder is difficult enough for the patient, but for the spouse or partner, it can be overwhelming. The author examines and discusses the pertinent issues that may affect that relationship. She devotes an entire chapter to expectations of the disorder and its course, and a general understanding for the lay person. Treatment considerations are provided with an unbiased examination of the various options. Prevention and recognition of mood episodes are discussed in detail and include medication compliance, suggestions for psychoeducation, proper sleep and eating routines, as well as dealing with alcohol and drug abuse issues. A very important chapter discusses taking care of oneself, a critical issue when a spouse or partner is suffering from an illness.
Assessment:This is a wonderful addition to the field that finally fulfills the need for a relevant and honest discussion of the challenges bipolar disorder poses to a relationship.

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

1 Does Someone you Love Have Bipolar Disorder? 7

2 What You can Expect: The course of Bipolar illness 31

3 "It's Not Me!": When Your Partner is in Denial 61

4 What You Need to Know about Your Partner's Treatment 86

5 You, Your Loved One, and the Doctors: The Team Approach to Getting and Staying Well 125

6 Helping Your Partner Stick with Medication 145

7 Other Things You and Your Partner can Do to Prevent Mood Episodes 165

8 Strategies for Dealing with the ups Together 199

9 Strategies for Dealing with the Downs Together 235

10 Taking care of Yourself and Your Relationship 260

Resources 283

Index 293

About the Author 306