“In Got Bipolar?, Zotti offers unique insights based on his personal experience of coming to terms with his own bipolar condition. Applying method acting as an emotional regulation tool mirrors the work of Marsha Linehan and her concept of ‘opposite action to the emotion’, a tool long recognized as effective in regulating emotions. Additionally, his focus on developing hobbies and interests in one’s life also reflects Linehan’s emphasis on creating a life worth living through the pursuit of meaningful activities. Zotti’s book will, no doubt, provide an invaluable guide for sufferers of bipolar disorder and I highly recommend it.”
--Paul Corcoran, Clinical Psychologist, Moving Forward
“If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (BPD), Got Bipolar? is a good place to start to try to make sense of it all. Topics include self-care, medications, coping skills and responding to someone in crisis. Zotti has lived with BPD most of his life, so he has walked the talk. The messages are of hope, loving yourself throughout this process and, if you are looking for help with a loved one, recognizing that the person is more than just this illness.”
--Judy Wright, mental health patient advocate
“Got Bipolar? offers a framework for the sufferer in need of skills to overcome symptoms. Zotti personally uses method acting as a coping skill to reverse mood states. Even a smile has the power to shift a low mood. He covers the basics, but it is up to the readers to increase their knowledge of emotional regulation, empathy development, relaxation techniques and other coping skills. This book is a really good primer for anyone suffering from Bipolar Disorder."
--Lewis Weir, BSW
"I have suffered with bipolar most of my life. I was diagnosed at 27 years old after attempting suicide by overdose of tablets. I feel that the medical profession has always given me the impression that I have a terrible disease, incurable, that can only be managed with medication. Then I came across Alfredo first book (Alfredo’s Journey: An Artist's Creative Life with Bipolar Disorder). That book helped me to understand that I could work on my mental disability to the point where I could function reasonably well. It gave me hope; hope that I could improve my situation, that I was not powerless. I have been reading Alfredo’s book since then, he has written a few, and when Got Bipolar? came out I had to have a copy and read it. I found the booklet very inspiring in that it gave me lots of hope. I particularly like the idea that depression, a big part of bipolar disorder, is like a negative inner voice that suggests to me that I am powerless, that depression is stronger than my will and that I cannot function at all when depressed. All I can do is sit or lie down and let the depression take over me and my life. Alfredo’s book showed to me how this is a false understanding of depression, how we can do lots to get better. I like the use of acting in the attempt to fight the depression. At first I believed that when confined to my bed, depressed, I cannot help myself. After reading Alfredo’s latest book (Got Bipolar?) I realized that even though the depression tells me that I am powerless my mind is stronger. I now can get out of bed when depressed go in front of my bathroom mirror, as Alfredo suggests, and crack a big smile. The moment that I do that my mind realizes that it is far stronger than any depression. The mind is very powerful."
-- Cheryl, a Bi-Polar DIsorder (BPD) survivor
