Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder Kindle Edition

In 2013, I had a major loss and was depressed. I went to see a psychiatrist and was prescribed an antidepressant. I had only been on the antidepressant for 2 days when I started to have SI (which I wasn't having any before starting). On day 3, I was given valium by my psychiatrist and that night I attempted suicide- I don't have any recollection of taking anything, which is a very scary thing. My psychiatrist kept me on the antidepressant but we switched several times bc nothing was really helping. After about a year and half, I gave up on the antidepressants. I started seeing a new psychiatrist in fall 2015 for my ADD. In December 2016 I had a bad start of depression. I could sleep 12 hrs at night and still take a 4hour nap during the day. My psychiatrist diagnosed me with the soft bipolar. He told me he suspected I had it from the time I started seeing him. He recommended this book to me and gave me other reading material. I wish other psychiatrist understood the diagnosis better. I had to relocate to a new state and my new psychiatrist wanted to add an antidepressant to the med I was already taking. She claimed she understood the diagnosis. She pushed for the antidepressant for 2 visits before I agreed to try the antidepressant. Day two of taking I started to feel very irritable and aggression building up. Day three I started having suicidal thoughts- I stopped the antidepressant immediately. Luckily I recognized the issue thanks to reading this book and my husband was able to watch me closely for a few days until the med was completely out of my system. Situations like this are why providers need to be more aware and understand the diagnosis.

I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder after years of struggling unsuccessfully with depression and anxiety. I was a little lost, surprised and desperately needed more information and this book was a great life line for myself and my husband. The author's explanations are easy to follow and understand. Often while reading the book I'd stop and be like, wow he is describing me. I highly recommend this is you're struggling with depression and have tried multiple anti-depressants to no avail and can't figure out what's wrong. It's great for friends and family members to help understand bipolar disorder and it's spectrum and it especially helped me come to grips with not feeling bag about my diagnosis and tearing down my own stigma of what I bipolar disorder is.

This changed my life. I'm not exaggerating at all. Dr Phelps' website is the first thing that led me to consider bipolar disorder after having the diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and insomnia for seven years. Now on mood stabilizers, I've had good days for the first time in seven years. This summer I finally had a week at a time where I felt like a normal person, happy and confident and relaxed, feeling like I belong, able to participate in conversations, and so forth.I AM SO GRATEFUL I READ THIS BOOK AND WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really changed my life. I could go on and on about it. I finally felt like someone understood MY depression. "Depression plus," he said some of his patients presented with. As soon as I read that phrase, I knew I had to read further. I'd never heard someone describe my experience so closely. I finally didn't feel like a freak anymore.Dr Phelps' conversational tone, easy-to-understand explanations, dry humor, and linking hundreds of times to others' independent research meant that this book was accessible, understandable, and trustworthy.If you've struggled with depression for more than a year, if you had postpartum depression, if your depression is coupled with anxiety or insomnia or irritability -- read this book. It may not apply to you, but it just might change your life.

Folksy and readable, yet full of useful information from research and practice (his own). My doctor recommended Dr. Phelps' website; I read the book and have since been using the website as well. His practice of using the website to extend and update the material in the book is commendable. Phelps' discussion of the bipolar spectrum, limitations of DSM diagnostic criteria, and how they differ from real-world patients' experiences was especially useful. References to literature on affective instability, pros and cons of different treatment options were personally enlightening. With a bit more editing to eliminate some redundancies, I would have given it 5 stars.It wasn't until I had received a diagnosis of bipolar II that I learned of Dr. Phelps' book. It wasn't until I read the book that I truly started to undertand the nature of my disease. I understood depression (or so I thought), but I was completely clueless about bipolar II.I would recommend this book to anyone facing a bipolar II diagnosis or anyone who has a family member with such a diagnosis. I would also recommend it to primary care physicians and practicing psychiatrists everywhere. If more of them were familiar with Dr. Phelps' work, his website, and the research he cites, perhaps fewer of us would struggle for years with the wrong diagnosis and, consequently, the wrong medications. Thank you, Dr. Phelps!

I got this right before my first intake appointment. The first section I read was about diagnosing oneself. It does clarify how difficult it can be to get a proper diagnosis, so when the psychiatrist said that it was indeterminate, I was prepared. I understand the importance of documenting possible symptoms.

This book is very good. It gives a good and thorough overview of the 'softer' types of bipolar. The whole bipolar scale is described well, right from barely noticeable mood swings to very obvious ones. I don't think you can find a much better book about bipolar 2 and other 'soft' versions. There is also some great info about treatment including medication, therapy and and self-management techniques. There is even a section explaining how to deal with your doctor! That's something I found very useful. There are also lots of case studies described through out the book, which helps the reader to know more about other people's experiences with having 'softer' bipolar.The book is very thorough in every aspect and written in an entertaining self-ironic language. It provides info about many things most other bipolar books don't! It also describes some of the bipolar theory which I really like, and it does so in an easy to understand language. Only thing I don't like about the book is that the author at some point states that he is trying to convince the reader that she/he has bipolar..But definitely a book well worth buying!

This is a very informative and interesting book for anyone suffering with depression to help them understand more about their condition and possible mood disorder. Written in a way that is easy to understand for a non medical person! Recommended. I found it very helpful.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR THOSE WITH BIPOLAR ILLNESS- WHETHER DIAGNOSED OR NOT. IT IS WRITTEN BY AN EXPERT IN THE SUBJECT WITH HUMOUR & GREAT HUMILITY. I HAVE FOUND IT VERY USEFUL & WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WITH BIPOLAR SYMPTOMS.

Purchased for a friend who is learning about this illness her daughter has, Helping her have a good understanding and experience

Useful book for friend.