"Power of Positivity: For Bipolar & Anyone Else", by Fred Von Gunten

​   Fred Von Gunten’s book, “Power of Positivity:  For Bipolar & Anyone Else”, goes into great detail about the author’s 40 years with Bipolar Disorder 1 and how a continual positive approach changed his life.

​   At the age of 70, Fred Von Gunten has had five episodes and his last 28 years has been symptom free from being on a low dose of Lithium and his Power of Positivity approach.  He considers himself “functionally cured”.
  This book goes into considerable length of the most used and successful psychotherapy treatments that are available, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), and, Family-Focused Therapy (FFT), in conjunction with pharmacotherapy.
  The author’s most strong theory in this book is how the “Power of Positivity” can set one self free from both mental and physical illness symptoms just by having a positive outlook.  Throughout the book, Fred Von Gunten, has included many quotes, from others, that have inspired him to maintain his positivity.
  I am very pleased this approach has worked out so well for the author, and possibly others, but from my lived experience, or others not yet in the maintenance phase, it is my opinion that Fred Von Gunten’s theory, positivity cures, may not always be the case for long-term freedom of symptoms.  Nevertheless, this is a solid book on a different approach to mental wellness.