HealthyPlace.com
Bipolar Disorder Center
Table of Contents

Overview of Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar is a Serious Psychiatric Condition
• Types of Bipolar Disorder
• Effects of Manic Depressive Illness
• Overview of Depression and Bipolar
• Bipolar FAQs - Answers All Your Basic Questions
• How to Explain Bipolar Disorder to Others

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Causes of Bipolar Disorder

• What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
• Is Bipolar Disorder A Biochemical Problem or Something That's Inherited?
• Genetics of Bipolar Disorder
• Researchers Identify Gene Involved in Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Have Similar Genetic Roots

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Bipolar Diagnosis

• Overview of Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
• Just Diagnosed With Bipolar - A Guide
• Symptoms of Bipolar: Mania and Depression
• Diagnostic Criteria for Manic Episode
• Diagnostic Criteria for Hypomanic Episode
• Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depressive Episode
• Diagnostic Criteria for Mixed Episode
• How to Diagnose Bipolar and Similar Conditions
• Diagnosis of Cyclothymic Disorder Associated with Bipolar Disorder
• Early Warning Signs of a Relapse or Oncoming Episode
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Mood Disorder Questionnaire

Diagnosis: Bipolar Tests and Assessments, Mood Charts

• Mood Disorder Questionnaire
• Online Mania Test
• Parent Version of the Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS)
• Bipolar Mood Chart

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People with Bipolar

Bipolar Children

• Bipolar Disorder in Children: How Common Is it?
• About Early-Onset Bipolar Disorder
• Symptoms in Children and Adolescents
• Genetics and Family History and Relationship of Substance Abuse to Bipolar
• Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children
• More About Diagnosis and Confusing ADHD with Bipolar in Children
• How to Help Your Child
• Treatment and Parent’s Role in Treating Your Bipolar Child
• Treatment: Bipolar Medications and Side-Effects, Psychotherapy, Therapeutic Parenting
• Assessment and Treatment Guidelines from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Addressing Educational Needs of Children with Bipolar Disorder
• Living with Bipolar as a Teen: Dealing with School (for teens)
• Mood Swings and Substance Abuse
• Girls with Bipolar Disorder

Women with Bipolar

• Managing Pregnancy and Bipolar
• Bipolar Medications During Pregnancy: Detailed Info on How to Protect the Fetus and the Mom
• Medication and Sleep Issues During Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding and Psychiatric Medications
• Preventing Against Postpartum Relapse of Bipolar Disorder
• Lithium and Depakote in Bipolar Women of Childbearing Age
• Gender Issues Associated with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar in Elderly

• Late-Life Bipolar Disorder - Guidelines and Challenges
• Comprehensive Management of Mania in the Elderly

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Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

• Overview of How Bipolar Disorder is Treated
• Effects of Untreated or Undertreated Bipolar Disorder
• Overview of Types of Treatment
• Choosing a Doctor to Treat Bipolar Disorder
• Mental Health Providers: Making the Right Choice
• Managing Bipolar Disorder
• Types of Bipolar Medications: Mood Stabilizers
• Types of Bipolar Medications: Antidepressants and Antipsychotics
• Treating Manic Symptoms
• Treating Depressive Symptoms
• American Psychiatric Association Treatment Guidelines for Patients with Bipolar
• Expert Guidelines for Medication Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
• How to Manage a Manic Episode
• Serious Side-Effects From Bipolar Medications
• Mood Stabilizers: How to Minimize Serious Side Effects
• Long-Term Medication Therapy for Bipolar Illness
• Taking Multiple Meds - Helpful or Harmful to Your Mental Health?
• ECT for Bipolar Disorder
• How is ECT Used for Treating Bipolar Disorder
• Hospitalization for Bipolar Disorder
• Family Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
• Prevention: Maintaining Mood Stability
• Using Medication to Prevent a Bipolar Relapse
• In-depth Overview of Medication Therapy For Each Type of Bipolar Disorder
• Impact of Antidepressant Discontinuation on Relapse, Remission, and Mood Episode Cycling in Bipolar Disorder
• Tips on Surviving Bipolar Disorder

You can find extensive information on depression and antidepressants in the HealthyPlace.com Depression Community.

Specific Bipolar Medications

• Abilify (Aripiprazole) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Depakote (Divalproex Sodium) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Geodon (Ziprasidone) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Lamictal Patient Information - (plain English)
• Overview Of Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Therapy In Bipolar Disorder
• Is Lithium Still Worth Using?
• Lithium for Maintenance Treatment of Mood Disorders (abstract)
• The Antisuicidal Effects of Lithium
• Lithium Reduces Suicide Risk
• Neurontin (Gabapentin) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Risperidal (Risperidone) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Seroquel (Quetiapine Fumarate) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Tegretol (Carbamazepine) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Topamax (Topiramate) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Topamax (Topiramate) for Mood Disorders and PTSD - FAQ
• Zyprexa (Olanzapine) Pharmacology - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects
• Comprehensive Information on Antidepressants
• Comprehensive Information on Antipsychotics

Bipolar Medication Compliance Issues

• Why Individuals with Bipolar Disorder Often Do Not Take Their Medications
• Impaired Awareness of Illness (Anosognosia): A Major Problem for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder
• Readers Speak Out on Why They Stopped Taking Their Bipolar Medications
• Pilled Out! Why I Stopped My Meds
• Complacency! Another Reason Why I Stopped My Meds
• Struggling With Bipolar and the Medications Issues
• Why You Shouldn't Change Your Bipolar Medications on Your Own
• Helping With Bipolar Medications
• How to Manage Your Medications
• More Ideas on Managing Your Bipolar Medication
• Managing and Remembering To Take Bipolar Medications
• Learning to Cope with Bipolar Disorder
• How Can Family and Friends Help The Bipolar Patient
• Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder
• How Stress and Bipolar Relapse Are Related
• Dealing with Family Tensions Caused by Bipolar Disorder
• Alternatives for Non-Compliance
• Noncompliance Issues
• Medication Compliance Among Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Disorder (abstract)
• Mental Health & Alcohol Misuse Project Factsheet 5: Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Misuse
• Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Affective Disorder (abstract)
• Family-Focused Therapy Program for Bipolar Disorder (abstract)
• Care for Those with Bipolar Disorder: Guide for Caregivers

Alternative Treatments

• Nutritional Supplements for Bipolar Disorder
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Acupuncture

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Related Information

Suicide

• Suicide - Table of Contents
• Actions to Take If You Suspect Someone is Suicidal
• Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide
• Why Live When You Feel Like Dying?
• How to Help a Suicidal Person
• Helping a Suicidal Friend or Relative
• Managing Suicide in the Short and Long-term
• After Suicide: Struggling with Your Guilt and Anger
• Suicide Statistics

You can find extensive information on suicide in the HealthyPlace.com Depression Community.

Substance Abuse

• Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
• Mood Swings and Substance Abuse in Adolescents

Supporting a Bipolar Person

• Support - Table of Contents
• What Does Support Really Mean?
• Principles of Living a Balanced Life
• Communication Guidelines
• Empathetic Guidelines
• Does Your Relative Suffer From Depression?
• Pointers to Help a Spouse Live with Mental Illness
• Taking Care of the Caregiver
• Coping with Bipolar Episodes - for Family Members
• Coping Methods for the Family
• Mental Illness - Information for Family and Friends
• Suggestions for Difficulties Arising From Depression
• Loving Tough: Coping with a Manic-Depressive Loved One
• Handling Guilt
• Handling Your Ill Relative's Anger
• Why People Resist Accepting That They Are Ill and Resist Taking Medications
• A Member of Your Family Is Mentally Ill - What Now?
• When Someone Close to You Has a Mental Illness
• The Other Half - Spouses of Bipolar Sufferers
• Effects on Family
• Coping Tips for Siblings and Adult Children of Persons with Mental Illness
• Advice for Children from Children
• Living with a Loved One's Mental Illness
• What to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar
• What Not to Say to Someone Who Has Bipolar
• The Role of Family and Friends
• Helping a Depressed Friend
• Twelve Things to Do If Your Friend or Loved One Has Bipolar Disorder
• The Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Family and Friends

Recovery

• Recovery Table of Contents
• Author Mary Ellen Copeland on: What is Recovery and How to Accomplish It
• Foundation for Effective Recovery
• Guide to Balanced Bipolar Living - For Patients and Caregivers
• Reconstructing a Balanced Life
• Tips on Surviving Bipolar Disorder

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Articles on Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar Articles - Table of Contents
• Bipolar Disorder: Is it Ignored?
• Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison: Looking Back on Coming Out
• Depression: The Toughest Part of Bipolar Disorder
• Study Challenges Bipolar Depression Treatment Guidelines
• Making Sense of Mania and Depression
• Bipolar Disorder Takes Over a Life: The Face of Depression
• Brain Damage From Bipolar Disorder
• Diabetics With Mental Disorders at Increased Risk for Diabetic Complications
• APA 2004 Mtg. Report: New Research on Biological Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology
• CABF Exec. on Antidepressants for Children and Need for More Education & Research
• CABF Exec. on How Little Professionals Really Know About the Disease
• Report on 2002 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) meeting

Focusing on Celebrities

• Celebrities and Bipolar Disorder
• Jane Pauley Discloses Bipolar Disorder
• Patty Duke: Bipolar Disorder's Original Poster Girl
• Carrie Fisher and Manic Depression

Personal Stories on Living with Bipolar Disorder

• Dump the Stigma and Focus on Recovery - by Andy "Electroboy" Behrman
• Manic Depressive, Homeless, and Hopeful: My Story - by Anitra Freeman
• Life with Bipolar: Hypomania, Mania, Mixed State, Hospitalization, and My Husband's Thoughts on Me - by Juliet

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