If you want to know best practices for treating bipolar, "bipolar not so much," recurrent depression, "more than depression," "something-about-this-depression-treatment-just-isn't-working," read Chris Aiken.
When I needed a subtitle for my book, I tried really hard to sell my publisher on
What if it's more than depression? - a subtle reference to
Bipolar Not So Much by Aiken and Jim Phelps, who is another of my mental health go-to resources. I flatter myself that
Prozac Monologues is the companion piece, written from the other side of the prescription pad. The publisher had something else in mind, but if you find one book useful, you will like the other.
When my new nurse practitioner talked me into a chart review by the cookie cutter psychiatrist employed by the practice, the recommendation came back,
Abilify and Zoloft. I said, No thanks, and sent her
an article by Aiken. I hope it helps my NP get over her
Free-Range Bipolar on Aisle 2 (
i.e., non-medicated)
panic before my next appointment. Aiken reports that
Social Rhythms Therapy (my lifeline for years) can be as effective as medication, without the sedating effects that would have ended my writing career. Not to mention most other reasons to get up in the morning. Or even capacity to get up in the morning.