Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous
Author: Ernest Kurtz
The most complete history of A. A. ever written. Not-God contains anecdotes and excerpts from the diaries, correspondence, and occasional memoirs of A. A. 's early figures. A fascinating, fast-moving, and authoritative account of the discovery and development of the program and fellowship that we know today as Alcoholics Anonymous.
New interesting textbook: Media Markets and Democracy or Private Real Estate Investment
Bipolar II: The Essential Guide to Recognize and Treat the Mood Swings of This Increasingly Common Disorder
Author: Ronald R Fiev
The psychiatrist whose pioneering bestseller Moodswing introduced lithium as the treatment for bipolarity now focuses on the milder form of the disease, and the result is another landmark work—one that can help millions with Bipolar II to live better lives
Thirty years ago, Dr. Ronald Fieve pioneered the use of lithium for what was then known as "manic depression." His book Moodswing was a runaway hit, published in seven countries. Since then, Dr. Fieve has focused on patients with mild bipolarity—what is now known as Bipolar II. He has discovered that Bipolar II patients are—almost across the board—driven, successful, high-achieving individuals who, with the right treatment, can actually turn their illness into an asset.
In this first book to concentrate exclusively on milder bipolarity, Dr. Fieve explains how newer drugs with fewer side effects are revolutionizing the treatment of Bipolar II. Some people with mild bipolarity may not require drugs at all—just a specific lifestyle program, which Dr. Fieve spells out in this book. In the past, many patients with the illness have resisted treatment because they did not want to give up the euphoria of the "highs." But left untreated, the condition's lows can be devastating—sometimes resulting in suicide. Here, Dr. Fieve reveals his remarkably successful treatment program (with results supported by thousands of patient histories) that allows patients to keep the highs while minimizing the lows. And he explains how his program can help turn the illness into a positive and patients into what he calls "bipolar beneficials."
Library Journal
These two books reflect recent findings indicating that increasing numbers of Americans suffer from bipolar disorder or its milder forms. In his long career, Fieve (clinical psychiatry, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Ctr.; Moodswing: The Third Revolution in Psychiatry) has focused on the relatively lesser-known subtype of bipolar disorder, bipolar II. Thirty some years ago, he pioneered the use of lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression) and began to notice the less-extreme version of manic depression in many of his dynamic, industrious patients with exuberant moods and high energy. In this first book to concentrate exclusively on bipolar II, Fieve explains how the disorder has become more widely recognized, how bipolar II manifests itself in patients, the impact of family genetics on the development of the disorder, how sleep and biological rhythms affect the disease, the impact of the disorder on one's sexuality, and the distinctive advantages of the milder hypomania that accompanies the disease. He also describes how to distinguish and diagnose clearly the difference between bipolar II and bipolar I, the use of modern drugs in the treatment of the disease, and how professionals should approach the treatment of bipolar II in pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Meanwhile, mental health advocate Castle (Bipolar Disorder Demystified: Mastering the Tightrope of Manic Depression) provides a singular analysis of the intriguing proposition that there may be a connection between mental illness, specifically mood disorders such as bipolar, and creativity. Castle explains how her bipolar disorder has significantly impacted, for better and for worse, her high degree of creativity. As she became aware of the way in which her frequent mood swings began to influence her creative output, she began to research seriously the possible connection. Following a brief synopsis of other works on creativity that dance around the idea of a mental illness connection, Castle provides a nice summary of professional research into the question, revealing that there is not yet enough significant evidence to prove that having a mental illness will enhance one's creativity. The book's heart offers highly pragmatic examples of how highly creative individuals with bipolar disorder can better manage their condition as a way to maximize their creativity (e.g., how to schedule time for creative work, how to shore up skills, and how to find and organize creative space). Both Castle and Fieve offer helpful information on resource organizations and web sites, as well as supplemental bibliographies. Castle's title is distinctive in its approach to helping creative readers with bipolar disorder, and it will appeal to fans of the works of creativity writers Edward de Bono and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi; recommended for larger public libraries. Fieve's landmark work, although suitable for lay readers, will best serve as a reference for mental health professionals; essential for medical libraries supporting psychiatry residences and academic libraries supporting the helping professions. Dale Farris, Groves, TX Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
No comments:
Post a Comment