Book Review: The Up And Down Life : The Truth About Bipolar Disorder– The Good, The Bad, And The Funny

 

The Up And Down Life : The Truth About Bipolar Disorder– The Good, The Bad, And The Funny written by Paul E. Jones with Andrea Thompson is a refreshing, new look at this often misunderstood mood disorder.  It is written by a person with Bipolar Disorder for people with the disorder, especially for the newly-diagnosed.

This book is very informative and accessible to patient and family member alike, and avoids the temptation to delve too much into a clinical dissertation.  Paul Jones does an amazing job helping outsiders see the true depth of depression and the soaring highs of mania. Plus, he does not gloss any of this over with excuses or self pity. This book is just the facts and told in a narrative that can be sometimes hillarious, sometimes terrifying. The creator of the “”Bipolar Boy” website has been through the battle of his life and emerged on the other side a true hero of this disorder. He offers many different tools and ideas to help those who are just discovering their  illness  and to those who have been dealing with it for years. “The Up and Down Life” is also a wonderful tool for family member or friends of the patient.  Paul takes family and friends by the hand and teaches them the best way to treat someone  with this disease.  He clears away any of the misconceptions about the disease and helps both patient and family member or friend alike understand the disorder for what it truly is – a disease, not a disgrace.  This book has been a comfort for many since their diagnosis and it’s not all doom and  gloom. He uses humor effectively to demonstrate, not demonize, the disorder.  If you have been diagnosed recently, or have been living with this for years, or if you have a loved one with this disorder, pick up this book.  This book is truly a profile in courage and is inspirational for anyone, regardless of whether you have the disorder or not.  Society has a long way to go in recognizing mood disorders for what they truly are, and there continues to be many false stigmas attached to mood disorders. Paul Jones clears this up rather quickly in a provocative fashion intertwined with humor and a compelling narrative style.

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