Explains the differences between depression and bipolar disorder and offers advice on how people can identify if they have a nonmanic form of bipolar disorder and how they can work with their doctor to effectively treat it.

Do you have a "mild" form of bipolar disorder? -- Understanding the mood spectrum and how it can help you -- Can you be a little bipolar?: recognizing hypomania -- No mania or hypomania?: understanding "soft" bipolar disorder -- Making your diagnosis -- What else could it be?: ruling out conditions that mimic bipolar disorder -- Finding and using the right treatment -- Getting help: how you can work with your doctor -- Where to start: guidelines for choosing treatment -- Mood stabilizers: the core ingredient in medication treatment -- What you need to know when considering antidepressants -- Managing weight gain from medications or other causes -- Simple lifestyle changes that can improve symptoms -- How to use psychotherapy across the mood spectrum -- Exercise: not the usual rap -- How family and friends can help.