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.

In the HealthyPlace.com Bipolar Community, we have authoritative, in-depth information on all aspects of bipolar disorder in adults and children; from signs and symptoms to diagnosis and bipolar treatments. You can learn what recovery from bipolar disorder really means and how to manage your bipolar symptoms. For family members and friends, learn how to support someone with bipolar disorder.

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

And we invite you to join the HealthyPlace.com Bipolar Support Network (our social network). Sometimes, communicating with others who have common experiences or faced similar problems can be a great help as well as a source of comfort.