Amid rising understanding and support for mental health disorders, some — like bipolar disorder — remain heavily shrouded in stigma. Author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova’s new book, “More or Less Maddy,” tackles this subject with accuracy and compassion. We talk to Lisa and Mayo Clinic licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lorelei Rowe about how bipolar can affect those with the disorder and their loved ones. TW: self-harm, suicidal thoughts.

This episode was made possible with the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

• Lisa Genova, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice, Left Neglected, Love Anthony, Inside the O’Briens, and Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. Still Alice was adapted into an Oscar–winning film. Lisa graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She is featured in the documentary films To Not Fade Away and Have You Heard About Greg. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over eleven million times.
• Lorelei S. Rowe, Ph.D., L.P., is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical director of the Adult Transitions Program at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Dr. Rowe's clinical practice focuses on recovery from an acute mental health crisis and treatment of chronic mental health conditions. She has expertise in cognitive behavioral therapies for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and couple relationship functioning, couple therapy, and group therapy.

Purchase “More or Less Maddy”

• From Bookshop.org. 
• From Amazon.  
• From Barnes & Noble.   

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Resources: 

• Different Types of Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health
• More about bipolar - NIMH

Mayo Clinic resources: 

• Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar treatment: Are bipolar I and bipolar II treated differently?
• Bipolar medications and weight gain
• Are you thinking about suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment

The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not designed to replace the physician’s medical assessment and judgment. Information presented is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional for medical assistance with specific questions pertaining to your own health if needed.