Recently I had a chance to review a new book called “Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can Take Control of Bipolar Disorder.” I found the book to be very interesting and a good resource. Subsequently, I was able to get some additional information from the book’s author, therapist Michael Pipich. I think you’ll find the conversation with Michael very interesting and illuminating.
Why did you decide to focus on bipolar disorder?
After over 30 years of therapy practice, I noticed how little information and few resources were available for both bipolar patients and their families. I believe the lack of understanding about identifying and treating bipolar mood swings has led to needless suffering, including many incidents of broken relationships, self-harm, addictions and even death. About two-thirds of all people with bipolar are misdiagnosed, and I believe that’s a big reason why bipolar may account for about one-fourth of all suicides.
Why is suicide so prevalent in bipolar disorder?
We know that suicide is at least 20 times higher in people with bipolar than in people without the condition. But the average time for someone with bipolar to be accurately diagnosed and treated is about 10 years. The result is millions of people worldwide who become hopeless and desperate. Owning Bipolar helps these people and their loved ones understand the condition and what to do about it, reducing the time and agony it takes to get the right help. Knowledge and action in bipolar treatment saves lives.
What does it mean to “own” bipolar?
Two things. First, although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it’s a mental illness that can be safely managed with the right treatment throughout a person’s lifetime. Owning bipolar means that people can learn to take control of it, and enjoy a full, satisfying life. Second, patients and their families can’t expect professionals to do all the work for them. With so much misidentification and mistreatment in bipolar, patients and families need to know what symptoms to look for, and how to advocate for the right psychological care. When you own bipolar, you become an empowered advocate for long-term treatment success.
If someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, why would they avoid treatment?
There are several reasons for people to avoid treatment, but one important issue is fear and denial. People with bipolar are often afraid to give up the great high, increased energy and inflated self-esteem they feel when in a manic mood zone. They believe that mania helps them get many things accomplished, and they fear how treatment will blunt they abilities. My book confronts these fears and the denial of bipolar the shields those fears. As a result, people with bipolar can learn how to be creative and productive in a healthy and sustainable way.
What kinds of information did you gather for this book?
I began with insights from my 30 years of work with patients and families, and the stories from people around the world submitted to the Bipolar Network. I’ve spent several years exploring research into bipolar disorder, and then formulated my assessment and treatment approaches that are now shared in the book.
Why is your three-phase approach to bipolar therapy important?
By dividing therapy into three phases around mood stabilization, we can understand specific bipolar problems and prepare for solutions along the way. It also helps patients and families understand that bipolar requires life-long treatment, not just medicating symptoms. When you know what to look for in each phase, you don’t have to be afraid of what’s ahead in owning bipolar.
Who commonly gets bipolar disorder?
The biggest factor in bipolar disorder is genetics. That means a person with the disorder inherited the gene for it, and that it runs in families. Because of the genetic factor, bipolar is nobody’s fault. But other factors can bring out the symptoms. Physical or hormonal changes as the result of adolescence or pregnancy and childbirth are typical catalysts for bipolar disorder. In the book, I discuss particular issues that adolescent bipolar patients face with their parents, and what new mothers should look for if they develop mood swings, known as postpartum onset in bipolar disorder.
Can doctors and therapists also benefit from your book?
Absolutely. I recommend that other treatment professionals share this book with their patients, and use it to open a healthy dialogue on bipolar in their lives. This can provide a good format for bipolar treatment, and what to expect in each phase of therapy. It helps everyone—patients, families, caregivers and professionals—get on the same page with initial treatment issues, medications, and long-term planning.
About Michael Pipich
Michael Pipich, MS, LMFT holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical/Community Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and has treated a wide range of mental disorders and relationship problems in adults and adolescents for over 30 years. Michael has testified as an expert in many legal cases and has taught several graduate-level psychology courses. He was selected as a Collaborating Investigator by the American Psychiatric Association, performing clinical field trials for the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Michael is also a national speaker on bipolar disorder and has been featured in various media on a variety of topics. You can connect with Michael via his website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
Thanks so much to Michael Pipich for sharing this timely and useful information!
Here’s a question: What resources have you found helpful for managing bipolar disorder? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter), “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this article, please share it with a friend!