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Today’s Ypulse Author Spotlight is on Russ Federman, Ph.D. and Facing Bipolar: The Young Adult’s Guide To Dealing With Bipolar Disorder. As the director of counseling and psychological services at the University of Virginia, Federman has seen many newly diagnosed college students struggle to manage their condition. By teaming up with psychiatrist Andy Thomson, MD, Dr. Federman to produce a guide directly targeted towards young adults who find themselves in that position, he hopes to offer a unique and valuable starting point .

Facing Bipolar is out in bookstores now, but we’re giving away free copies to the first three commenters who share a book (fictional or non-fictional) that provided them comfort in college and why they loved reading it.

Ypulse: What inspired your work with bipolar disorder, particularly with a focus on teens and young adults struggling with the disorder?

Russ Federman: I’ve worked in university mental-health for 20 years and over that time I’ve treated many students with symptoms of bipolar disorder. Due to my own post-polio physical disability, I’ve found myself to be particularly attuned to the challenges faced by bipolar students who are trying to adapt to things over which they have only limited control. Additionally, at the national level, I’ve seen bipolar students often underserved by university mental health systems,  and I’ve wanted to make a difference.

YP: What’s your biggest concern with the way that mental illness and bipolar disorder is handled by the media? How can young adults overcome the stigma?

RF: My biggest concern is that bipolar disorder is often overdramatized as a result of those who engage in more extreme behaviors; whereas many people with bipolar disorder are able to live reasonable lives with only intermittent episodes of instability. Even then when managed well, instability can be controlled. I don’t think that’s the impression that’s typically conveyed through the media. As for stigma, each individual must take responsibility for gradually undoing stigma through his or her own personal relationships. That is, as individuals with bipolar disorder gradually disclose their bipolar diagnosis to those that they know and trust, they will gradually change perceptions and opinions of others. Over time, stigma will change as bipolar individuals are known and understood within the context of individual relationships.

YP: What are some of the unique challenges faced by college students newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder? What are the first steps a young adult can take to overcome those challenges?

RF: The biggest challenge is maintaining a healthy lifestyle while trying to remain consistent with peer group lifestyle norms. We know that erratic sleep patterns and intermittent substance use (heavier for some) are common aspects of university life. These are also factors which will place one at higher risk for relapse of bipolar instability. Additionally, college is a very stressful time and stress can also serve as a trigger for bipolar symptoms. So the bottom line is students need to be able to become good at managing their stress levels while adhering to healthy sleep hygiene and substance use abstinence.

Establishing a regular sleep wake cycle is really important – trying to get to bed the same time each night and awakening at the same time every morning. Even on weekends! To accomplish this, students also need to refrain from afternoon sleeping. They will find that they are able get to bed earlier if they stay fully awake throughout the daytime hours. Readers will be surprised at how far this simple adjustment can go in assisting to stabilize bipolar symptoms.

YP: What are some resources — online or off — parents/educators/counselors can use to help support young adults coping with bipolar disorder? What are some good online resources for college students looking for support?

RF: - BipolarYoungAdult.com – Website with about the book “Facing Bipolar” as well as strong resource information about bipolar disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health- Bipolar Disorder Booklet – Comprehensive (downloadable) booklet on bipolar disorder.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance- national organization with comprehensive information, links, media information and membership options for those with bipolar disorder
- K12 Academics – Bipolar Disorder- A national organization with topics pertinent to education, including important medical/psychological issues. The site provides excellent information about bipolar disorder
- Pendulum.org- A national nonprofit resource for bipolar disorder information, support and education
- Mayo Clinic Bipolar Information- A nationally recognized provider of medical services with a website providing thorough and reputable information about bipolar disorder
- Healthy Place – Bipolar Information- A thorough and informative educational and support website devoted to bipolar disorder
- HelpGuide.com – Bipolar Self-help and Support- A nonprofit organization devoted to providing education, health and support to individuals and families facing mental health issues. Excellent information provided about bipolar disorder
- TeensHealth.org – Bipolar Information- A website devoted to physical and mental health-related issues for teenagers. Excellent information provided about bipolar disorder
- MedLine Plus – Bipolar Disorder- A website with thorough information about bipolar disorder sponsored by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health.
- Bipolar Hope- An informational website for the hard copy magazine – Bipolar Hope – a nicely done monthly magazine publication for those with bipolar disorder
- Depressed Teens- An education and advocacy group through the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

YP: Who should read Facing Bipolar? Anything else Ypulse Readers should know?

RF: Anyone who is or thinks they may be initially encountering their own bipolar disorder. The book is a good place to start. It’s written in very down to earth and easily digestible language.

For more coverage of YA books and publishing, check out the Ypulse Books & Print Channel sponsored by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, publishers of Fang.

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Categorized under: Books & Print

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