2024 Must-Read Books on Bipolar Disorder

By Natalia Lusinski
Medically Reviewed by Seth J. Gillihan, PhD
Last Updated: 22 Oct 2024

Reading memoirs and nonfiction about bipolar disorder helps connect with those living with this brain-based condition, whether you have it or love someone who does. By Natalia Lusinski

When it comes to bipolar disorder, sometimes it may be difficult for loved ones to understand what the person is experiencing. While they often view it through the lens of caregiving, they may not grasp the individual’s personal perspective.That’s where these books come in. They’ll help you feel less alone, whether you’re the one who has bipolar or know someone who does, like a friend, your partner, a parent, a coworker, a neighbor, a child, or anyone else in your social circle.We rounded up these 10 must-read books on bipolar from this year, perfect for personal reading or as a thoughtful gift for someone who could benefit from them.

1. Daddy’s Magical Rainbow – Having a Parent With Bipolar DisorderWhen a parent has bipolar disorder, it can be challenging for a child to understand the emotional ups and downs that come with the mental health condition. In Daddy’s Magical Rainbow – Having a Parent With Bipolar Disorder, author Sarah P. Foster aims to help children ages 4 to 11 better understand bipolar, though it’s also intended for readers of all ages.The story follows a little girl whose dad has bipolar disorder. She learns that “it’s the bipolar talking” — helping her realize it’s not her “fault” when her dad acts in certain ways, whether he’s angry, quiet, manic, or experiencing other emotions. Off the page, Foster is a special education teacher with 30 years of experience working with children. She also grew up in a home environment that was affected by mental health challenges. The illustrations add a lot of heart to the story and come with a unique touch. The illustrator, Lucie Pedersen, is only 10 years old, which likely explains why her artwork so naturally draws readers into the narrative.

2. An Impossible Life: A True Story of Hope and Mental Illness An Impossible Life: A True Story of Hope and Mental Illness, by Rachael Siddoway and Sonja Wasden, is an award-winning bestseller highlighting how bipolar disorder can affect anyone — it does not discriminate. The book follows Wasden’s journey after being admitted to a psychiatric hospital — against her will — by her husband and father when she was 35 years old. On the outside, her life seemed idyllic: She was a mother of three living in the suburbs with her successful husband. However, behind closed doors, she was battling with intense symptoms of bipolar disorder, including manic and depressive episodes, as well as delusions. The book offers hope to those living with bipolar or those who know someone affected by it. Since her experience, Wasden has become a dedicated mental health advocate. Oprah Winfrey even participated in one of her virtual mental health book club discussions to help inspire female inmates at the world’s largest women’s prison.

3. The Bipolar Therapist: A Journey From Madness to Love and Meaning
The Bipolar Therapist: A Journey From Madness to Love and Meaning was written by Marcia Naomi Berger, LCSW. In this memoir, Berger is open and honest about her time spent in a psychiatric ward, particularly from the unique perspective of being a therapist who became a patient in the psych ward. Like anyone else, she had to confront the stigma and shameassociated with bipolar disorder. Through her story, we learn how this experience ultimately made her a more compassionate therapist.
“Marcia Naomi Berger’s first-person account of her journey and transformation is courageous,” states Francis G. Lu, MD, professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UC Davis, in the editorial reviews. “As she writes, ‘Someone with mental illness is much bigger and more complex than their diagnosis.’”

4. Hogbook and Lazer Eyes
Hogbook and Lazer Eyes is a graphic novel memoir by writer, actor, and stand-up comedian Maria Bamford and her husband, artist Scott Marvel Cassidy. The story is based on their unique courtship — told from the point of view of their pugs — and how they met on the dating site OkCupid, using the names “Hogbook” and “Lazer Eyes.”
As it turns out, they had more in common than they initially thought: They both have bipolar 2 disorder. Whether you have bipolar or have been (or are) in a relationship with someone who does this heartwarming and funny book is sure to resonate.

5. Devout: A Memoir of Doubt
In Devout: A Memoir of Doubt, author Anna Gazmarian not only reflects on living with bipolar 2 disorder but also her struggles with spirituality. Raised in an evangelical household, Bazmarian’s 2011 diagnosis at age 18 led to a crisis of faith as well. Now 31 and living in Durham, North Carolina, where she works as an outreach coordinator for The Sun Magazine, a national literary publication, Gazmarian spoke with bpHope about her memoir earlier this year. “The longer I’ve had my diagnosis, and the longer I’ve sought treatment, the more I’ve learned to cope with having it be only part of my identity,” Gazmarian says, adding that opening up about her bipolar diagnosis and its impact has been a healing process. She hopes her story will inspire others.

6. Bipolar, Not So Much: Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression
Whether someone is newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder or has been living with the diagnosis for some time, this book, Bipolar, Not So Much: Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression, offers valuable insights. Written by Chris Aiken, MD, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at New York University and Wake Forest medical schools, along with James Phelps, MD, emeritus psychiatrist, Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, Oregon, the book draws on their medical expertise to help readers understand the complexities of depressionand how to manage and cope with it. The authors also emphasize that bipolar disorder is nota one-size-fits-all diagnosis. They explore various treatment approaches, acknowledging that different methods work for different people.

7. Be There: My Lived Experience With My Sister’s Bipolar Disorder
Be There: My Lived Experience With My Sister’s Bipolar Disorder tells the story of author Linsey Willis, the younger sibling and caregiver to her sister Betsy, who has bipolar disorder. Betsy’s diagnosis at 21, despite being an Ivy League-educated woman, came as a shock and drastically changed the course of her life. The book not only draws readers into Linsey and Betsy’s experiences but also resonates with anyone who has a sibling or loved one living with bipolar. At its core, the story carries an important message of resilience and hope.

8. Living Well With Bipolar Disorder: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life
In Living Well With Bipolar Disorder: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life, David J. Miklowitz, MD, professor of psychology at the UCLA Semel Institute, offers practical strategies for managing life with bipolar disorder. He addresses common stressors to avoid, how to cope when they arise, and ways to handle mood swings effectively.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from managing depression, mania, anxiety, and irritability to navigating daily routines such as sleep, relationships, and work. It also explores maintaining physical health, managing substance use, and making the most of medicationsand therapy for long-term mood stability.
“Dr. Miklowitz, an acclaimed authority in the treatment of mood disorders, provides clear and valuable suggestions for how to navigate a seemingly unnavigable condition,” Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, writes in an editorial review.

9. Crazy… Or Something Else Entirely: A (Mostly) Secret Journey With Bipolar Disorder
Jillian Dumond’s Crazy… Or Something Else Entirely: A (Mostly) Secret Journey With Bipolar Disorder is a heartfelt and humorous memoir that offers a candid look at how bipolar disorder has impacted her life, particularly in areas like dating and relationships. Written in a conversational style, Dumond invites readers into her world, sharing personal experiences that are both relatable and engaging.
What makes the book even more compelling are the contributions from her family and friends, offering insights into bipolar disorder from a caregiver’s perspective. Through these multiple viewpoints, the book not only provides a deeper understanding of living with bipolar but also highlights the importance of support and empathy from loved ones.

10. The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder
The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder is written by Holly Swartz, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, with a foreword by Ellen Frank, PhD, distinguished professor emeritus at the same university. In this workbook, Dr. Swartz explains how social rhythm therapy can help individuals with bipolar disorder reset their internal body clock, or circadian rhythm. By stabilizing daily routines and rhythms, this approach can reduce bipolar symptoms, lower stress, and support better mood management. The book offers practical tools for applying these strategies in everyday life to promote emotional stability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalia Lusinski
Natalia Lusinski is an editor and writer for bpHope and a wellness and lifestyle writer and editor, covering everything from health to travel to personal finance topics. Her work can be seen in several publications, including Business Insider, Yahoo, Forbes, Insight Timer, and the L.A. Times. She spent several years living abroad and is currently working on a travel/grief memoir. (If anyone happens to be in Portugal, she’d love a pastel de nata.) Back in L.A., she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still trying to find her favorite slice.

Her list looks very interesting and helpful.

Melinda