I read parts of various books about bipolar disorder. Mostly my wife read them to me since I was in no condition to read a book (no attention span to speak of). The one that helped me most was the one actually written by someone with bipolar and it wasn’t written as a self-help book.
Actually, I hate self-help books. They bore me to tears. I think I may have finished “What Color is Your Parachute,” and a couple of others, but that was 30 years ago. These days, I might read a few chapters, but then the book sits uselessly and fruitlessly on my bedside table until I’m finally willing to admit I won’t finish it. This is difficult for me because I hate spending money on a book and not reading it. It’s like admitting some kind of ignominious defeat.
Anyway, other than WCIYP, which really was helpful, I can’t remember a useful self-help book. Most of the psychological ones seem to be written for kindergarteners. They are both vapid and insipid. Not to mention lipid and one other id which is too unkind to print.
I prefer my advice from people who actually live with the problem. Especially if they have overcome the problem. As far as I’m concerned, people who can’t write novels turn to self-help books.