Table of Contents

Foreword

On balance: Conjuring the metaphor

1 Triumphs and tumbles: Ups and downs of bipolar disorder

2 Dazzling and daredevil: The spiral of mood elevation

3 Sparkling in the spotlight: Creativity and bipolar disorder

4 Damage control: The fallout from a bipolar high

5 Down to the wire: Responses to diagnosis

6 Perfecting balance: Acting on early warning signs

7 The show must go no: Acceptance of bipolar disorder

8 Handling the songs Medication and mood balance

9 Performance and partnerships : Professionals and risk management

10 The acrobats' pyramid: Family and friends in formation

11 Becoming a ring master: The discipline of self-management

12 Practising the art: Bipolar disorder and the getting of wisdom

Appendix 1

Perfecting the routine: More bipolar control techniques

Appendix 2

The safety net: A wellbeing plan

References

About the Author

Kerrie Eyers is a psychologist, teacher and editor with many years experience in mental health. She is the Publications Consultant at the Black Dog Institute, Sydney and is editor of Tracking the Black Dog.

Gordon Parker AO is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute. He is a renowned researcher with over 30 years experience with mood disorders, and is author of Dealing with Depression: A common sense guide to mood disorders .

Kerrie Eyers and Gordon Parker are co-editors with Tessa Wigney of Journeys with the Black Dog: Inspirational stories of bringing depression to heel.'