This 15 CE hour course builds upon the first edition and David Miklowitz's previous book with Michael Goldstein; Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach (Guilford), which won the 1998 Outstanding Research Publication Award from the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy, to present The Bipolar Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know. This user friendly book offers insight to the clinician, identifying the tools for persons with bipolar disorder to manage their illness. The author builds bridges of understanding between persons with bipolar disorders, their families and their professional support system.

After covering medication and diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the author breaks down self-management into four steps: 1) accepting the diagnosis, 2) becoming an expert on one's moods, 3) educating family and friends, and 4) enlisting support.

As a leading researcher and clinical specialist who knows what works, Dr. Miklowitz supplies proven tools to help your clients achieve balance--and free themselves from the emotional and financial havoc that can result when symptoms go unchecked--without sacrificing the rich and varied emotional experiences of life.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• Identify the key characteristics of bipolar disorder
• Understand the difference between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder
• Identify the 4 temperamental disturbances
• Understand the relationship between genetics, biology, stress and bipolar onset
• Identify the two phases of medication treatment
• Identify the most prescribed mood stabilizers
• Understand the predictors of response between lithium and anticonvulsants
• Understand the principles that enable wellness and medical concordance
• Understand the three step strategy of the 'relapse drill' from a systemic perspective
• Identify and understand the strategies to challenge depression

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life
  Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD: 12 CE Credits
• Overcoming Bipolar Disorder
  by Bauer, Kilbourne, Greenwald, Ludman, and McBride: 10 CE Credits
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No
  by Henry Cloud and John Townsend: 12 CE Credits
• Treating Alcohol and Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice
  by Dr. Arnold M. Washton and Dr. Joan E. Zweben: 10 CE Credits
• The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice (Fifth Edition)......................[This Course is not available for CE for psychologists]
  by Dennis Saleebey: 8 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ON BIPOLAR DISORDER
  
  This site is a treasure chest of current information on Bipolar disorder. It contains copies of both audio and video feeds from all the speakers from each of the international conferences; 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
  
  Click on the home page
  http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/STANLEY/bpconf.htm
  
  then choose from the conferences you are interested in. Clicking on the 'proceedings' link will take you to the video or audio of all the seminars.

Bio: David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D.

David J. Miklowitz, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he has been a faculty member since 1989.

He completed his undergraduate work at Brandeis University in Psychology (1979), received his M.A. from University of California, Los Angeles in Clinical Psychology (1981),and his PhD from University of California, Los Angeles in Clinical Psychology (1985).

His research focuses on family environmental factors and family psychoeducational treatments for adult-onset and childhood-onset bipolar disorder. Dr. Miklowitz has received numerous awards: the Joseph Gengerelli Dissertation Award from UCLA (1986), Young Investigator Awards from the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (1987) and the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD; 1987), a Research Faculty Award from the University of Colorado (1998), and a Distinguished Investigator Award.

Dr. Miklowitz has published more than 120 research articles and book chapters on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. His articles have appeared in the Archives of General Psychiatry, the American Journal of Psychiatry, the British Journal of Psychiatry, the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, Biological Psychiatry, the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. His book with Michael Goldstein, Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach (Guilford), won the 1998 Outstanding Research Publication Award from the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy.