My pdoc has given up? Recommended a book.

had my 1st appointment in a month.

I saw my NP last week and she upped my seroquel.

Today I see the Pdoc and he basically just renewed my prescriptions for 12 refills. I basically told him I'm still in a depressive phase(which I've been for almost a year now) and he recommended me to read a book "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison.

Any read this book? I haven't read a book since high school and that was over 5 years ago.

That is a very well-written and empathetic memoir, and the author shows that a meaningful, successful life is possible in spite of a ravaging mental health disorder. However, I prefer reading things that offer me constructive advice on how to improve my life, or how to figure out a tailored self-help system. Redfield-Jamison's book couldn't really help with that, since it's really just a book about one person's experiences. I have BP2, and I'm not on Lithium either (unlike the author).

I don't think your pdoc has necessarily given up. Did he mention why you should read that book, or how/what you might be able to learn from it? It's a lovely book, but certainly not the one that best helped me understand myself, my condition, and how to come to terms with my situation.

he just just it would help me understand my given diagnosis. I honestly don't see how reading a book would do that. I have these forums and a few more, I also have access to youtube videos of people dealing with bipolar. I don't know what he's is expecting me to get from a book.

Perhaps he's not as familiar with online support forums, websites, etc. Also, that book is written by one of the leading experts on BP, and she also has BP1. Perhaps your psychiatrist thinks that the book is a more "trustworthy" source of information than things posted online. I don't exactly agree, since the memoir is extremely subjective and is restricted to Redfield-Jamison's life story.

Personally, I couldn't relate all that much, and didn't think that the book helped me understand anything about my BP. It didn't even give me that much hope -- many people with BP don't even have access to the kind of support network, wealth, social advantages, mentors, etc. that Redfield-Jamison had. I'm not saying this to criticize the author, but rather to point out the book's limitations as being a panacea for all people with BP who want to understand their symptoms. Much of the book is about the author's life and background, and I simply couldn't empathize because I don't have the kind of resources that the author did.

In short, if you're already familiar with good resources regarding understanding + coping with BP, I don't think it's necessary for you to read that book. It's definitely not in my top-15 list of books for dealing with BP.

Perhaps someone on this forum will disagree with me Maybe someone has been truly helped by that book, so please keep an open mind.

I recently read the book. It was a good read and would recommend it to anyone that is Bipolar or knows of someone that is. The memoir has actually inspired me to write my own memoir of sorts in regards to my life with Bipolar as well as living with a parent who also has it.
There's no harm in reading it.

It was just one of many I read when I first tried to find myself in bipolar literature. I liked Bipolar Demystified by Lana Castle much better. She was more like me. Also, for actual helpfulness, I would recommend The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by David J Miklowitz. For something a little less daunting Bipolar for Dummies is a good book too. I like the cartoons.

That's a great book.

It is a great book if you like belles lettres. If you like the self-help genre better, then it is not the right choice for you.

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