A Spectrum Approach to Mood Disorders: Not Fully Bipolar but Not Unipolar--Practical Management

Clinicians know that people often present with a spectrum of symptoms, but the DSM discusses criteria in absolute terms—symptoms are either present or absent. This book offers treatment guidelines to deal with the realities of mood disorders that often present in less than total ways that are far from black and white.

About the Author :
James Phelps, MD, is director of the Mood Disorders program at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, Oregon, which serves a five-hospital system.

Review :
[A] tremendous resource to help differentiate between cases of mood disorder or bipolar disorder. Dr. Phelps is a respected and highly-experienced physician. He presents a thorough and convincing explanation of the nuances of accepting that a broad spectrum of mood disorders does exist. Professionals who acknowledge this will be able to use Dr. Phelps' book to provide patients with the focused, in-depth treatment they require.-- "PsychCentral" (9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM) Dr. James Phelps bravely enters territory that academia has largely neglected--the nebulous region between full bipolar disorder and major depression. . . . [A] must-read for any health professional involved in the treatment of affective illnesses, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and therapists.-- "Psychiatric Times" Engaging, wise, and superbly practical, this book addresses the complexity of the subject matter while providing an accessible guide for a range of health professionals to improve the treatment of mood disorders. The author integrates research and decades of clinical experience with a refreshing candor, inspiring you to think. The value of this book lies not only in the empowerment of the treating provider, but also in emphasizing the empowerment of the individual seeking treatment.--Lea Burns, PsyD, Primary Care Psychologist, Samaritan Family Medicine Resident Clinic (9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM) James Phelps provides a guide for the perplexed. He analyzes the most complex, most common, and least understood aspect of clinical practice--the spectrum halfway between depression and mania. Many people suffer in that purgatory of diagnosis, neither truly bipolar nor unipolar, but they and their clinicians don't realize it. They should read this book. One can hope that future readers can look back on it as a key step towards ending an old and long period of clinical confusion.--Nassir Ghaemi, MD, MPH, Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center (9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM) James Phelps' seminal work establishes a clear description of bipolarity and mood, moving us beyond the limitations of a binary construct. This excellent lens provides for greater diagnostic accuracy by including those with undiagnosed and/or mis-diagnosed mood traits. Dr. Phelps has created an essential tool-kit with a range of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions to improve the quality of life and outcomes for those with bipolar symptoms.--Lynnea Lindsey-Pengelly, PhD, MSCP, Medical Services Director, Trillium Behavioral Health (9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM) How we think about recognizing and treating mood disturbances profoundly impacts how we treat them. And nowhere is there more confusion in clinical psychiatry than at the meeting point of mania and depression. James Phelps' impressive new book A Spectrum Approach to Mood Disorders goes a long way toward ending the confusion and helping the mental health clinician take a balanced and reasoned approach to the treatment of the many patients who show a range of mood disturbances over time. It should be mandatory reading for everyone about to prescribe, or take, an antidepressant or mood stabilizer.--Charles Raison, MD, Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families; Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM)