PULSE BIPOLAR JOURNEY LIZZIE SIMON'S SEARCH FOR MEANING LEADS TO 'DETOUR'.

Lizzie Simon, diagnosed with bipolar disorder (or manic depression) as a teen, travels across America to gather the stories of other young people who suffer from mood disorders for her book ``Detour'' (Washington Square Press; $13). What starts as a desire to find a ``herd'' - friends who share the same diagnosis - transforms into a journey of self-discovery. Simon, 27, also served as the consultant and field producer for the MTV special ``True Life: I'm Bipolar.'' She recently spoke with the Daily News about ``Detour.''

Q: Even though your book explores bipolar disorder, you don't spend a lot of time reciting statistics or giving readers chapter and verse about the disease.

A: My main concern was to create the book I'd wanted to read when I was diagnosed. There have been incredible contributions by scientists and doctors on this subject. What was lacking was a voice from the front lines, our stories in our own words.

Q: Did other memoirs on this topic - like Kay Redfield Jamison's ``An Unquiet Mind''- have an impact on your work?

A: Before her book, there was one by Patty Duke. That was first time I understood what (bipolar disorder) was, what the diagnosis meant. I really understood you could have this diagnosis and not be debilitated for the rest of your life. ``Detour'' is part of a tradition of books about mental health, but I also thought of it as a coming-of-age identity book.

Q: The book deals with a much broader theme of isolation and finding one's place in the world. What did you discover by the end?

A: I set out looking for a herd. I decided that's not what I need to be looking for. What I realized is that the only way to feel connected is to feel connected to yourself. I could meet a million bipolar people and not meet a friend. Being bipolar is not an identity, it's a diagnosis.

Q: The people who you found and interviewed didn't become your herd. At the same time, this community of voices might serve as a herd of sorts for young people who read your book, don't you think?

A: I was performing an act of sociology. At least I felt I was. I was collecting testimonies, and nobody else was really doing that. Bipolar disorder is something people can be treated for and move on with their lives. I wasn't seeing that anywhere, in Hollywood or on TV.

For more information, visit www.lizziesimon.com.

- Mariko Thompson

CRUNCH THOSE ABS Now you can feel like one of the beautiful people at Crunch Fitness without actually having to sweat among them. The trendy fitness center, based in New York with a gym on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, has come out with a CD of workout music, ``Crunch Beats'' (George V Records; $15.98). Your rpm will creep higher and higher as you pedal or step to the pulsing beats of this seamless urban soundtrack mixed by DJ Noah Kerner. When laundry and other household chores start to sound appealing about halfway through your workout, replay the first track, ``Tight,'' as a reminder of why you should keep on chugging. ``Crunch Beats'' is available in Crunch gyms and most major music retail stores.

- M.T.

HERBAL REMEDIES: ``Good Health Magic'' (MQ Publications; $16.95) by Gill Farrer-Halls is so perky and retro, you'll feel better before you've even tried one of the book's herbal home remedies. The ads from the 1930s through the 1970s that are used to illustrate the book are so much fun that they almost overpower the text. Farrer-Halls teaches the difference between infusions, tinctures, tonic wines and syrups. You'll learn how to use essential oils for pampering, housecleaning and soothing aches and pains. But keep in mind that herbal isn't synonymous with safe. Easy to overlook in this cheery melding of pop culture and folk medicine are the warnings and safety tips.

- M.T.

FREEBIE: To help you become aware of the changes in over-the-counter medicine product labeling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association are offering a free brochure.

The pamphlet focuses on the new nonprescription Drug Facts label being used on a variety of products and explains how to check for package tampering, read the ingredients, check expiration dates, note lot numbers and what to do if an overdose occurs. To order ``The New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label ... Take a Look!'' brochure, call [phone] or go to the Web site at www.chpa-info.org. You can see an electronic version at the FDA's Web site at www.fda.gov.

- Barbara De Witt

CAPTION(S):

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(1 -- 2) ``My main concern was to create the book I'd wanted to read when I was diagnosed. ... What was lacking was a voice from the front lines, our stories in our own words,'' says Lizzie Simon, 27, of her new tome, ``Detour.''

(3) no caption (book: ``Good Health Magic'')

(4) no caption (cd cover ``Crunch Beats'')