Overview of Bipolar Disorder

• What is Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)?
• Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder Is A Serious Psychiatric Condition
• The Effects of Manic-Depressive Illness
• Depression and Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder FAQs
• How To Explain Bipolar Disorder to Others

Differences Between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression (Special Section)

Detailed explanation of unipolar and bipolar depression plus increased risk of suicide with bipolar depression.

• Bipolar Depression Table of Contents
• Mood Disorders 101
• Why Bipolar Depression is Often Misdiagnosed
• The Role of Mania in Bipolar Depression
• Treatment and Medications for Bipolar Depression
• Treatment Differences Between Depression and Bipolar Depression
• Bipolar Depression Management Tips
• A Final Quiz: Name that Depression

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

• What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
• Is Bipolar Disorder A Biochemical Problem or Something That's Inherited?
• Genetics of Bipolar Disorder
• What Role Does Genetics or Family History Play in Bipolar Disorder?
• The High Prevalence of 'Soft' Bipolar II Features in Atypical Depression

Bipolar Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
• How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
• Diagnostic Criteria For Cyclothymic Disorder
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Diagnostic Criteria for Hypomanic Episode Bipolar Disorder
• Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depressive Episode
• Diagnostic Criteria For Mixed Episode Bipolar Disorder
• Early Warning Signs of a Bipolar Relapse or Oncoming Episode

Bipolar Psychosis (Special Section)

Comprehensive examination of bipolar psychosis, including signs, symptoms, causes and treatments of psychosis in bipolar disorder. Plus stories of living with bipolar psychosis.

Part 1: What is Bipolar Psychosis?

• A Technical Definition of Psychosis
• Psychosis Quiz #1
• What are Hallucinations and Delusions?
• Psychosis and Mood Swing Complications
• The Progression of Psychosis in Bipolar Disorder

Part II: A Deeper Understanding of Bipolar Psychosis

• What is the Difference Between Full-blown Mania and Full-blown Psychotic Mania?
• Bipolar Depression with Psychosis
• Suicide and Bipolar Psychosis
• Why Can Psychosis Be So Mean and Scary?

Part III: Medications for Bipolar Psychosis

• Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Psychosis
• Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Bipolar Psychosis and Other Bipolar Symptoms
• A Final Note About Bipolar Psychosis
• Bipolar Psychosis Table of Contents

Diagnosis: Bipolar Tests and Assessments, Mood Charts

• Bipolar Quiz: Take This Test to Find Out if You Might Be Bipolar
• Bipolar Mood Chart

People with Bipolar

Bipolar Children

• Childhood Bipolar Disorder
• Age of Onset and Gender Issues in Bipolar Disorder
• Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Girls
• What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children?
• Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children
• Bipolar Symptoms in Children Mimic Other Psychiatric Disorders
• Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Children
• Medication and Therapy for Treating Bipolar Disorder in Children
• Summary of the Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Depressive Disorders
• How Can I Help My Bipolar Child?
• More on Parenting Bipolar Children in the Parenting Community

Women with Bipolar

• Women and Bipolar Disorder
• Managing Pregnancy and Bipolar Disorder
• Treating Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy
• Prescribe Sleep Postpartum: Monitor Bipolar Patients During, After Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding and Psychiatric Medications
• Preventing Against Postpartum Relapse of Bipolar Disorder
• Lithium and Depakote in Bipolar Disorder Patients of Childbearing Age

Bipolar in Elderly

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

Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

• Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Homepage
• Choosing a Doctor to Treat Bipolar Disorder
• Mental Health Providers: Making the Right Choice
• Effects of Undertreated and Untreated Bipolar Disorder
• Treatment for Bipolar Disorder Overview Learn about mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications, therapy and ECT for treatment of bipolar disorder
• Overview of Bipolar Disorder Treatments Overview of bipolar disorder treatments including medications for bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, hospitalization, ECT and self-help and the importance of medication compliance.
• Acute Phase of Bipolar Treatment
• Types of Bipolar Medications
• Bipolar Medications
• Mood Stabilizers: How to Minimize Serious Side Effects
• Bipolar Treatment for the Long-Haul

Bipolar Treatment

• Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar Disorder
  Authoritative information regarding all aspects of treatment for bipolar disorder
  • Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar Disorder - Table of Contents
  • Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar Disorder - Introduction
  • What Kind of Bipolar Disorder Do I Have?
  • What is the Most Effective Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
  • What Medications are Currently Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder?
  • How Many Medications For Bipolar Should I Try?
  • What About Side Effects of Medications for Bipolar Disorder?
  • What is Microdosing?
  • What if I'm Only Getting Some Relief From the Bipolar Medications?
  • How Can I Get the Most from My Bipolar Medications?
  • Are Bipolar Disorder Medications Safe If I'm Pregnant?
  • After Medications, What is the Next Step in Managing the Illness Effectively?
  • Lifestyle and Behavior Changes
  • Does My Diet Have Anything to Do with Bipolar Disorder?
  • Does Exercise Really Make a Difference?
  • Is Bright Light Exposure Good For Bipolar Disorder?
  • What are Triggers and How Do They Affect Bipolar Disorder?
  • My Thoughts are Terrible. What Can I Do?
  • Do I Need a Therapist?
  • Do I Need to Go to the Hospital?
  • What if I Need More Help?
  • Current Bipolar Disorder Research
  • What Are Some of the Bipolar Disorder Treatment Challenges?
  • What is Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder?
  • What if I'm Too Sick to Help Myself?

Specific Bipolar Medications

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

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

Bipolar Medication Compliance Issues

• Bipolar Treatment: Medications Compliance
• Impaired Awareness of Illness (Anosognosia): A Major Problem for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder
• Stopping Your Bipolar Medications
• Pilled Out: Quitting Medication for Bipolar Disorder
• Oops! Complacency: Another Reason for Medication Non-Compliance
• Adjusting Your Own Bipolar Medications
• Disastrous Medication Changes
• How to Manage Your Bipolar Medications
• Bipolar Medications Adherence: How to Help
• More Ideas on Managing Your Bipolar Medication
• Managing and Remembering To Take Bipolar Medications
• Not Taking Medications for Bipolar Disorder: Alternatives for Non-Compliance
• Medication Noncompliance Issues - Impact of Noncompliance
• Medication Compliance Among Patients with Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Disorder

Alternative Treatments

• Nutritional Supplements for Bipolar Disorder
• Treating Depression and Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs

Management of Bipolar Symptoms

• Bipolar Recovery and Management Information Homepage
• What Recovery From Bipolar Disorder and Depression Means to Us
• Foundation for Effective Bipolar, Depression Recovery
• A Guide to Balanced Bipolar Living For Patients and Caregivers
• Bipolar Recovery: Reconstructing A Balanced Lifestyle
• Learning to Cope With Bipolar Disorder
• Managing Bipolar Disorder
• Managing a Manic Episode
• Bipolar Disorder: Preventing a Relapse
• Surviving Bipolar Disorder
• Life Events and Bipolar Disorder (Preliminary Findings)
• Dealing with Family Tensions Caused by Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and Family Therapy
• Family-Focused Therapy Program for Bipolar Disorder

Suicide

• Suicide Information: Bipolar Disorder and Suicide
• Suicide: A Very Real Threat to a Person with Bipolar Disorder
• Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide
• Why Live When You Feel Like Dying?
• How to Help a Suicidal Person
• Helping a Suicidal Friend or Relative
• Suicide Prevention: Bipolar and Suicide
• Dealing with Anger and Guilt After A Suicide
• Facts About Suicide
• Prevention of Suicidal Behaviors: A Task For All

Dual Diagnosis

• Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
• Mood Swings and Substance Abuse in Adolescents
• Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Abuse

Supporting a Bipolar Person

• Supporting Someone with Bipolar
• What Does Support Really Mean?
• Principles of Living a Balanced Life
• Communication Guidelines
• Empathetic Guidelines
• Important Things to Know if Your Relative Suffers From Depression
• Help for Surviving Your Spouse's Mental Illness
• Taking Care of the Caregiver
• Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Family
• Coping Methods for the Family
• Mental Illness: Information for Family and Friends
• Do's and Don'ts When Supporting Someone with Bipolar
• Loving Tough: Dealing With A Bipolar Person
• Handling Guilt: For Bipolar Supporters
• Handling Your Bipolar Relative's Anger
• Why People Deny Mental Illness and Resist Psychiatric Medication
• How Caregivers Can Help with Medication Compliance
• A Guide for the Bipolar Caregiver
• Dealing with Bipolar Mania: Help for Caregivers
• A Member of Your Family is Mentally Ill - What Now?
• When A Close Friend Has A Mental Illness
• Spouses of Bipolar Sufferers ...The Other Half
• Family Considerations: Effects of Bipolar Disorder on the Family
• Coping Tips for Siblings and Adult Children of Persons with Mental Illness
• Advice to Children from Other Children
• Living with a Loved One's Mental Illness
• Best Things to Say to a Person With Bipolar Disorder
• Worst Things to Say to a Person With Bipolar Disorder
• Best and Worst Things to Say to Someone Who Is Depressed
• The Role of Family and Friends in a Bipolar Person's Life
• Helping a Depressed Friend
• Twelve Things to Do If Your Loved One Has Bipolar, Depression or Some Other Mood Disorder
• The Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Family and Friends

Articles on Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar Articles, Table of Contents
• Diabetics With Mental Disorders at Increased Risk for Diabetic Complications
• UCLA-led Study Challenges Bipolar Depression Treatment Guidelines
• 2002 Annual AACAP Convention
• More Research Needed on Bipolar Disorder in Children
• Concerns for Our Bipolar Children
• The Medication Journey: Bipolar Medication Adherence
• The Shocking Tale of Andy Behrman
• New Research on Biological Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology
• Bipolar Disorder: Two-Sided Trouble
• Bipolar Disorder Takes Over A Life: The Face of Depression
• Brain Damage From Bipolar Disorder
• Making Sense of Mania and Depression
• Depression: The Toughest Part of Bipolar Disorder
• Years Later, a Quieter Mind
• Bipolar Disorder: Is It Ignored?

Focusing on Celebrities

• Jane Pauley Discloses Bipolar Disorder
• Carrie Fisher and Manic Depression
• Patty Duke: Bipolar Disorder's Original Poster Girl
• In a Major and Minor Mood Beethoven's Manic Depression
• The Illness of Vincent van Gogh
• Bipolar Celebrities

Personal Stories on Living with Bipolar Disorder

• Personal Stories on Living with Bipolar Disorder Table of Contents
• How I Felt on the Day I Was Diagnosed as Bipolar
• Techniques for Managing Mania and Depression
• Sharing A Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder With Family And Friends
• About Me (Juliet): My Life With Bipolar
• Juliet: What Hypomania, Mania and Mixed State Feels Like to Me
• What's It Like Being Hospitalized for Bipolar?
• Juliet: Family and Bipolar Disorder
• Manic Depressive, Homeless, Hopeful
• The Shocking Tale of Andy Behrman
• Dump the Stigma and Focus on Recovery
• Electroboy Looks Back: 10 Year Bipolar Diagnosis Anniversary
• My Bipolar Story: The Crack in the Wall
• Dump the Stigma and Focus on Recovery
• Jean: Sparkly but with Rocks
• David: Riding the Wave

Online Conference Transcripts

• Bipolar Medication Non-Compliance, Dual Diagnosis, Dealing Effectively With Manic Episodes
  Guest: Dr. Eric Bellman
• Bipolar Medications
  Guest: Dr. Carol Watkins
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder - Manic Depression
  Guest: Dr. Ronald Fieve
• Experiences of Living with Bipolar Disorder
  Guest: Paul Jones
• Food and Your Moods
  Guest: Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons
• How to Better Cope with Bipolar
  Guest: Madeleine Kelly
• Living with Bipolar Disorder Guests: David and Jean
• Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Guide To Maintaining Mood Stability
  Guest: Mary Ellen Copeland
• Parenting Bipolar Children
  Guest: George Lynn
• Recovery Issues in Bipolar Disorder
  Guest: Dr. Emanuel Severus
• Successfully Managing Bipolar Disorder
  Guest Julie Fast

Websites

• Manic Depression Primer
• NIMH Bipolar Website

Books

• Books on Bipolar Disorder and Related Issues