Understanding Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Family Guide

A compassionate approach to understanding and supporting loved ones with bipolar disorder

If your loved one was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about how to help them live the healthiest life possible. Understanding Bipolar Disorder answers those questions and offers helpful guidance with essential information, practical strategies, and support for families of people suffering from bipolar disorder.

Learn about what bipolar is, how it's diagnosed, the science behind it, and the treatments available, including medication, therapies, and community support. You'll find effective tools for dealing with a diagnosis as a family, advice for exploring therapy options as a team, and simple techniques for managing your family's stress levels to prevent emotional burnout.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder includes:

• Relatable anecdotes―Read about what it's like to have bipolar disorder and to live with someone who has it.
• Family friendly activities―Explore exercises and questions you can work through together so you can learn how to best support your loved one with bipolar.
• Tools for thriving together―Discover tools that help you flourish as a family, including advice for getting ahead of moods, setting boundaries, maintaining healthy relationships, self-care, and more.

Take the first step toward understanding and managing bipolar disorder―together.

AIMEE DARAMUS, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and college professor who specializes in the treatment of chronic mental illness. She teaches psychology at Harold Washington College in Chicago, Illinois. Aimee also writes and speaks about the treatment of mental illness, including the use of virtual reality, therapeutic applications of video games, and using pop culture in therapy.