Depression affects 14.8 million American adults every year.

How do I know if my sadness is actually depression? What conditions often coexist with depression? How can I help a family member or friend who is depressed?

Depression is not merely a bad day or a blue mood—it's a serious disorder that affects people both mentally and physically, and can become debilitating and even fatal if not recognized and properly treated. If you suspect that you or a loved one might be suffering from depression, or if you've recently been diagnosed, The Depression Answer Book can answer all the questions you have about how to get back to yourself.

Written by an experienced psychiatrist, The Depression Answer Book covers such pressing topics as:

• How many types of depression are there?
• Couldn't everyone be diagnosed with depression at one time or another?
• What should I do in a crisis?
• What can I do on my own to help my depression?
• Do I really need therapy and medication?
• How do I know a medication is working?

At a time when individuals are overwhelmed with confusing and often conflicting information and emotions, The Depression Answer Book explains confusing medical lingo and provides straightforward answers to pressing questions.

An important new addition to Sourcebooks' Answer Book series, The Depression Answer Book is a must-have shelf reference written in our easy-to-read question-and-answer format.

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The most practical and current resource for children and teens affected by bipolar disorder.

A practicing psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder for nearly twenty years, Dr. Burgess has helped countless children and teens navigate the minefield of mania and depression and lead successful, happy lives. Drawing on the real questions asked by patients and parents and families of affected children, The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens, and Families tackles every area of the disorder: causes; medical treatment and psychotherapy; strategies for creating a healthy lifestyle; and preventing, coping with, and treating bipolar episodes. More than five hundred questions and answers address:

• how to choose the right doctor or specialist for your child;
• what treatment and medication protocols are best; and
• how to reduce stress to prevent manic and depressive episodes.

Special chapters on practical strategies for academic success, building healthy relationships, issues that specifically affect teens versus smaller children, and coping techniques for families and friends further explore the impact of the disorder on daily life. The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens, and Families also includes diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association and the National Institute of Mental Health, making this a versatile guide—perfect for both quick reference and in-depth study....

An internationally respected psychiatrist offers the most practical, up-to-date resource available on bipolar disorder.

For Dr. Wes Burgess, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder means hope-hope for the estimated ten million people who will develop the disorder during their lifetimes, and hope for the families and friends of people who suffer from it. Drawing upon the real questions asked by patients and families during his nearly twenty years as a bipolar specialist, The Bipolar Handbook comprehensively tackles every area of the disorder, from its causes to medical treatment and psychotherapy, to strategies for creating a healthy lifestyle, to the prevention of, coping with, and treatment of bipolar episodes. From the more than five hundred questions and answers, you'll learn:

- what to expect when pursuing a diagnosis
- how to choose the right doctor or specialist
- how to get the disorder under control
- what treatments and medication protocols are best for you
- how to reduce stress to prevent manic and depressive episodes
- what family members and friends can do to support you, and more

Dr. Burgess also addresses unique lifestyle concerns facing bipolar individuals. Special chapters on practical strategies for career success, building healthy relationships, issues that specifically affect bipolar women, and coping techniques for families and friends further explore the impact of the disorder on daily life.

The Bipolar Handbook's easy-to-access format and full chapter of resources, as well as diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association and the National Institute for Mental Health, make this a versatile guide-perfect for quick reference and in-depth discovery....