Books

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In her debut novel, E.B. Howell blends memoir and fiction with her hero, Liddy, whose journey with bipolar hinges on honesty and compassion. E. B. Howell, of Beaufort, SC, is on a mission. Raised by her mother, a pharmacist, and guided by her father’s wisdom about living with bipolar, Howell was primed for her life’s...

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After a childhood shaped by mob violence, Troy Roberts funneled his creativity and intellect into the game of chess, becoming a Life Master while navigating the mood episodes of bipolar. Troy Roberts, 63, fended off his share of “checkmates” in life, emerging triumphant from a childhood shaped by the mob, violence, insecurity, and the “gift”...

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Young Adult (YA) novels are one way teenagers learn about life, relationships, sexuality/gender issues and mental health; here are five books not to miss: #1. Crazy  Author Amy Reed regularly draws on her own experience with mental health challenges in her books. As reviewed by L.D. Lewis, Crazy tells the story of “an emotionally embattled artist,...

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Bipolar Disorder, My Biggest Competitor is the heart-wrenching story of an Olympian’s struggle with and eventual triumph over the terrifying highs and lows of the bipolar disorder. A small-town childhood, a close-knit family, a successful career, and an Olympic athlete–this was Amy’s life…until it wasn’t. That’s the thing about mental illness, it doesn’t care where...

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Under My Helmet details Keith O’Neil’s personal story as he struggled with a debilitating—and undiagnosed—mental illness. Ever since he was a child, Keith O’Neil wanted to play football. Born on the same daythat his father, Ed O’Neil, was cut from the New England Patriots, football was all Keith could think about . . . aside from his...

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Simple strategies to help you accomplish goals when depressed, such as getting going with something even when you feel you are lacking motivation. Editor’s Note: A revised 2nd edition, Getting It Done When You’re Depressed: 50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track, was released in January 2021. Publisher: Penguin Books From the Introduction:  There...

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Prism, Balance, and Aftermath are three short stories with a unifying theme that tackles the worldview of characters with bipolar disorder. Overview PRISM Daniel Waters is an electrical engineer who has been creating a prism with his co-worker for two years. The energy they have discovered will revolutionize the world. But when he meets Jasmine...

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Author: Karen Fortunati Length: 402 Pages Publisher: Delacorte Press (October 11, 2016) Review Written By: Kelly Furgal Toye (writeeatread.com) “I was a thing that never should have been.” The Weight of Zero isn’t your typical Young Adult novel… and I loved it. The foreword mentions that current Young Adult stories are failing teens with mental illness, and...

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Start each day with a clear mind and an open heart Author: David Dillard-Wright, PhD Length: 253 pages Publisher: F +W Media Inc. Book review by: Kelly Furgal Toye (writeeatread.com) “Now take a deep breath in. Exhale loudly. One more time…” I was never able to shut my brain off and trust me… I tried....

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Uncovering the links between leadership and mental illness In A First-Rate Madness, Nassir Ghaemi, director of the Mood Disorders Program at Tufts Medical Center, explores the powerful connections between depression, bipolar disorder and leadership. He argues that the very qualities that mark those with mood disorders—creativity, resilience, empathy, and “depressive realism”—also make for the best...

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Change your brain to break bad habits, overcome addictions, conquer self-destructive behavior How to change habits by challenging the “automatic brain” that sabotages our efforts to adopt positive and healthful behaviors. Combining findings from neuroscience and psychology, this book looks at strengthening neural circuitry that helps us ignore distractions, withstand temptations, and exercise self-control. Tools...

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Knowing and growing yourself from the inside out Leading psychoanalyst explains how exploring your unconscious mind and its influences on your actions can lead to lasting change. The emphasis is on practical ways to apply psychoanalytic ideas to everyday concerns, and the ultimate goal is a richer life—or “knowing and growing yourself from the inside...

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Proven strategies to prevent the blues from turning into depression Worksheets, quizzes and other exercises to help “prevent the blues from turning into depression,” as the book’s subtitle puts it. Drawing on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, the 80 strategies presented here aim to reduce negativity, defuse self-criticism, and generally decrease your risk for...

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An informative and comprehensive guide for patients and families. Valuable reference by a psychiatrist who is director of the Mood Disorders Clinic at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center is out in a new edition. Peppered with real-life examples, it’s informative but not overly technical. Readers will get a comprehensive overview of symptoms and treatments, and...

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Use the STOP method to replace destructive responses with constructive behaviors. Learn skills to help you “use the STOP Method to replace destructive responses with constructive behavior.” The STOP Method (stop, think, objectify and plan) is based on learning to recognize signs of anger, understand thought patterns involved, learn more effective communication skills, and find...

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Why being your whole self—not just your “good” self—drives success and fulfillment. When two leaders in the field of positive psychology start talking about embracing “negative” emotions, it’s worth paying attention. Kashdan’s past research and writings have focused on positive emotions and sustaining happiness; one of Biswas-Diener’s previous books was simply titled Happiness. Now they’re...