Mental health columnist Lowe and Cohen (psychiatry, Harvard Univ.) team up to address the needs and concerns of those who are involved with someone who has bipolar disorder. They use nontechnical language to describe all aspects of diagnosis, treatment options, and day-to-day issues. Numerous vignettes of couples, told from the nonbipolar partner's point of view, personalize the narrative and also make clear how varied the symptoms, whether behavioral or emotional, can be. Specific advice is offered on communicating with family, friends, and work colleagues; developing a professional and nonprofessional support system; and navigating the impact of this disease on work and personal life. There is also an extensive reading list appended, and resources appropriate to the topic at hand are integrated into the text. Verdict: This offers practical help to those living with or related to a person who is or might be suffering from bipolar disorder. A guide on the nitty-gritty details of managing a relationship and a life, with a hefty dose of encouragement thrown in, this has lots of excellent resources for all aspects of diagnosis, treatment, communication, and coping.-Paula McMillen, Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas (Library Journal, January 29, 2010)

Chelsea Lowe is a health writer and essayist and the author of The Everything Health Guide to OCD. She has written feature articles and essays for NPR, Newsweek, Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, and other publications. Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD, is emeritus director of the Harvard University affiliated McLean Hospital and the Robertson-Steele Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cohen is a national leader in the study and treatment of bipolar disorders.

Preface. Introduction. Part One Understanding Bipolar Disorder. 1 What Is (and Isn't) Bipolar Disorder? 2 A Brief, Colorful History (and Some Science) of Bipolar Disorder. 3 Getting an Accurate Diagnosis. 4 Understanding Medication. 5 Understanding Psychosocial Therapies and Medical Treatment Options. Part Two Living with Your Partner. 6 Building a Support Team. 7 Bipolar Disorders and the Workplace. 8 Communication and Coping Skills. 9 Coping with Negative and Dangerous Behaviors. 10 Sex, Intimacy, and Relationship Issues. 11 Suicide Attempts, Hospitalization, and Commitment. 12 Family Matters. Appendix: Excerpts from the DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar Disorder. Notes. Resources. About the Authors. Index.