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Children and adults can suffer from bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).  The disease is something many people do not understand and something that stigmatizes people.

"I started using drugs and alcohol as a teenager in an attempt to somehow "fix" what was wrong with me. Although I didn't understand it, I knew that I had mental problems."

More than 2 million American adults have bipolar disorder. It typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first bipolar symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated.

For those who have already been diagnosed with manic depression and are in treatment, we want to help you learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder and to offer you support in your recovery. We want to give you up-to-date information about what bipolar disorder is (and what it isn't).

We believe that the more you understand about bipolar disorder and issues like medications, the more likely you are to get the full benefit of treatment.

And if you haven't been diagnosed but think you may have bipolar disorder, read on. It may help you to decide to see a doctor or mental health therapist for evaluation and/or treatment.

Do You Feel the Same?
bekz wrote:

I always feel like I'm just a burden to my mate when I have sudden mood swings or when i cut myself and when I talk about my problems. she's the only person who knows of my mental health, the only person i trust and we are like sisters. so a lot of the time I just keep things inside like when I'm feeling suicidal or want to/do cut. Continue reading and give me your comments if you can help, when you click here.

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Successfully Managing Bipolar Disorder

Julie Fast has written several books on bipolar disorder, including “Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder” and she’s a writer for Bipolar Magazine. She also developed the “Health Cards Treatment System” to treat her own Bipolar Disorder. Read the transcript to our online conference with Ms. Fast on managing bipolar disorder.

To read the transcript click here.

The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder

The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder, an innovative and inspiring book on natural medicine treatments for a healthy mind, is about healing bipolar, not merely enduring it. Within these pages, medical journalist Stephanie Marohn explores the key contributing factors and triggers for mood disorder and profiles a range of effective, nondrug-based approaches that can truly restore health.

Buy the book. Other books on Bipolar Disorder.