Includes bibliographical references and index.

Normal and abnormal mood -- The diagnosis of bipolar disorder -- A summary of the diagnostic categories of bipolar disorder in DSM IV -- The mood disease -- The brain: neurons, neurotransmitters, and more -- Mood-stabilizing medications -- Antidepressant medications -- Antipsychotic medications -- Other medications, hormones, and an herb -- Electroconvulsive therapy -- Counseling and psychotherapy -- Treatment approaches in bipolar disorder -- Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents -- Women with bipolar disorder: special considerations -- Alcoholism and drug abuse -- Seasonal affective disorder and chronology -- The genetics of bipolar disorder -- Bipolar biology -- Bipolar disorder and creativity -- Living with bipolar disorder -- Planning for emergencies -- The role of family -- Looking ahead.