Bipolar Disorder + Original Articles

Stress and bipolar disorder go hand in hand; each can trigger and exacerbate the other. What are the basics behind this mental health condition? Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition in which patients alternate between episodes of manic (euphoric) and depressive moods. Sometimes there are periods of stability between the mood swings. Bipolar Disorder Overview Mental health experts suspect a chemical imbalance in the brain is behind Bipolar Disorder.

What are common concerns about these highly-prescribed drugs? Antidepressants are one of the primary treatments for depression and the second most prescribed drugs in the U.S. More than 11 percent of Americans 12 and older take at least one of the two dozen FDA-approved antidepressant medications. However, many people who might benefit from antidepressants are reluctant to take them—or fail to take them as prescribed—due to fears and concerns.

When it comes to bipolar disorder, it can be difficult separating fact from fiction. Here, we debunk the biggest myths surrounding the disease. It's believed that more than 5 million American adults have bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But while most people are familiar with the term "bipolar disorder," several myths about the condition still abound. 1.

Follow these tips to help reduce the likelihood of a manic episode. One of the best ways to manage bipolar disorder is to prevent manic episodes before they start. Although that's not always doable, it is possible to identify triggers that may lead to mood disturbances. Follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of a manic episode: Stick to a daily routine Schedule meals at a regular time, make exercise a part of your daily schedule, and practice relaxation techniques each night before bed.

Not so black and white: study concludes bipolar disease is more of a spectrum disorder. A 2007 study supports earlier findings that bipolar disease is underrecognized, often improperly treated, and may be more accurately characterized as a spectrum disorder than a black-and-white disease. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a nationwide survey of mental disorders among 9,282 Americans ages 18 and older.

An estimated 5.7 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Here's one man's story of despair, diagnosis, treatment, and hope. "I'll never forget the day when my doctor put his comforting hand on my shoulder and said the two words that cleared up a lifelong mystery: "Bipolar disorder. "Until then, I simply couldn't figure out why, like an out-of-control roller-coaster, I plunged into a downward spiral from extreme happiness to extreme depression, why I plummeted from such highs to such lows.

Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases of depression, suffer a relapse. In order to ensure your symptoms stay away, follow these simple tips. When you seek treatment for depression, you want all of your symptoms to go away—and stay away. Although depression is treatable, some patients, especially those with more severe cases of depression, suffer a relapse, an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment.

The goal of depression treatment is to put patients in remission so they are free depressive symptoms. But how can you tell if your treatment is working? Read on to find out. Depression is a highly treatable mental health disorder. While there are numerous ways to treat depression, the most frequently used are psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, or both. If you've recently been diagnosed with depression, you may be wondering how you'll know if your treatment is working.

A healthy dependency is a two-way relationship; both parties contribute to it in positive ways. A codependent relationship, in contrast, is an unhealthy, dysfunctional, perhaps even abusive, one-sided relationship. We depend on family and friends to fill some of our needs for love, companionship, and security. A healthy dependency is a two-way relationship; both parties contribute to it in positive ways. A codependent relationship, in contrast, is an unhealthy, dysfunctional, perhaps even abusive, one-sided relationship.

Being confronted with a loved one who is considering suicide is frightening and distressing, and you may be at a loss as to what to do. By responding with these six steps, you might actually save someone's life.   Suicide is a serious health and social problem. More than 30,000 people commit suicide annually. Men, seniors, divorced adults, and young people (age 10 to 24) are most likely to be suicidal. Being confronted with a loved one who is considering suicide is frightening and distressing, and you may be at a loss as to what to do.

While talking to a trained mental health professional can be invaluable for many patients, nothing compares to talking to others who are going through the same experience. But can the Internet substitute quality interpersonal dialogue? The Internet has brought people together in new and unexpected ways. It's not surprising then that the incidence of online support groups, or cyber support groups, is on the rise. And since Americans are increasingly turning to self-help techniques to improve their lives, we'll probably see cyber support groups continue to proliferate.

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Here, a guide to the transition to life without depression medication. Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication in the country, so mental health experts are trying to understand if, when, and how patients should cease taking them. Unfortunately, despite the dramatic increase in use, there isn't a lot of information about life after antidepressants.

Just because your symptoms are gone, doesn't mean your depression is. In fact, many relapse as soon as six months after treatment. Read on for triggers and preventative measures. Depression is a highly treatable disorder. However, many sufferers experience a recurrence or relapse of symptoms over time. Relapse and Recurrence A relapse is an episode of major depression within six months after responding positively to treatment.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Read on to get the comprehensive information you need to navigate the condition. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Up to two percent of adults, mostly young women, suffer from this illness. BPD often occurs with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Vitamins play a critical role in mental health. And insufficient intake of certain vitamins have been linked to mood disorders. So, which deficiency is resulting in your symptoms? Find out here. Hippocrates is quoted as saying, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food." This age old healer knew what many physicians know today: humans require sufficient doses of vitamins and minerals, mostly obtained from food, for optimal health and disease prevention.

Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment.

Does a loved one suffer from a Cluster A Personality Disorder? If so, coping with his actions may not always be easy. Here, a guide to help you understand and cope with the condition. Cluster A personalities are characterized by behaviors and thoughts being odd or eccentric.  Within Cluster A there are three personality disorders; they are Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal.  Research indicates that individuals who have these personality disorders are more prone for further mental problems, which could be eating disorders, anxiety, depression, reckless behavior, and substance abuse.

You can minimize a bipolar episode and maintain some control over your life with a bit of planning and being aware of your environment. Here are a few suggestions for managing your bipolar triggers. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating extremes in mood, energy, activity levels, and ability to function day-to-day. Living with this disease can leave you feeling helpless at times. While bipolar disorder is not curable, it is treatable and manageable.

If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you’ll be glad to know there’s an easy, effective way to relieve symptoms: light therapy. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you'll be glad to know there's an easy, effective way to relieve symptoms: light therapy. SAD generally strikes in the fall when the days start getting shorter and it's more prevalent in northern regions of the country.

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of psychological treatment, and one that some psychologists and social workers still use Mental health professionals have many tools at their disposal to treat patients with depression, anxiety, and other mind disorders. Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest forms of psychological treatment, and one that some psychologists and social workers still use.

Parenting certainly has challenges. So when a parent has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, it adds another whole dimension to the family dynamics. Parenting certainly has challenges. So when a parent has a mental illness such as bipolar disorder, it adds another whole dimension to the family dynamics. Bipolar Disorder can cause stress, guilt, anger, helplessness, and a range of other emotions, on top of the disease's signature manic and depressive mood swings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients understand their illnesses and gives them strategies and tools to deal with stress. The term psychotherapy may conjure the image of lying on a couch talking about your childhood while your long-time psychoanalyst sits behind you taking notes. While that scenario might be accurate for certain types of psychological therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a different animal all together.

Medications for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders can be lifesaving for people who need them. However, they come with potential risks and side effects—including weight gain. Medications for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders can be lifesaving for people who need them. However, they come with potential risks and side effects-including weight gain. Unmanaged weight gain can lead to obesity and a slew of serious health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, a precursor to these (and other) illnesses.

Choosing the right psychotherapist is an important decision for people with mental health disorders; however, it can be a bit daunting. Choosing the right psychotherapist is an important decision for people with mental health disorders; however, it can be a bit daunting. There are many types of psychotherapy, and mental health professionals have different levels of training and education.

Bipolar disorder, a debilitating mood disorder, is often misdiagnosed, delaying appropriate treatment and even increasing the severity of a patient’s illness. Bipolar disorder, a debilitating mood disorder, is often misdiagnosed, delaying appropriate treatment and even increasing the severity of a patient's illness. People with bipolar disorder alternate between episodes of major depression and mania, sometimes with periods of relative stability in between.

Anger is a normal emotion and a natural response to real or perceived threats. Angry feelings can range from mild irritation to intense rage. When anger is felt too intensely, too frequently, or expressed inappropriately, it becomes a problem. Traffic, long lines at the grocery store, a disagreement with your spouse, workplace conflict. The list of triggers that can make us angry is endless. Anger is a normal emotion and a natural response to real or perceived threats. Angry feelings can range from mild irritation to intense rage.

For every news report touting the mental or physical health benefits of a supplement, there is another discrediting it, or, worse, warning that it is dangerous. With so many conflicting reports and persuasive marketing promotions, how do you know if what you read is true—or just hype? For every news report touting the mental or physical health benefits of a supplement, there is another discrediting it, or, worse, warning that it is dangerous. With so many conflicting reports and persuasive marketing promotions, how do you know if what you read is true-or just hype? The reality is that it's difficult to evaluate mental health claims on supplements, which may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, and certain food products.

Mental health professionals have used lithium for years to treat people with bipolar disorder, especially to prevent the major depressive episode so characteristic of that disease. But is lithium also effective for depression without bipolar disorder? Mental health professionals have used lithium for years to treat people with bipolar disorder, especially to prevent the major depressive episode so characteristic of that disease. But is lithium also effective for depression without bipolar disorder? It may be for some patients.

Learn when to be alarmed about your child's misbehavior and if it can be linked to a mental health illness. Your normally calm and complacent child suddenly begins experiencing extreme mood swings and starts getting in trouble at school. This causes you to wonder: Is this a typical part of her childhood development or could it be a sign of something more? The Scope of Mental Illness Affecting Children The term mental illness encompasses a wide array of issues ranging from emotional, behavioral, and eating disorders to attention deficit, hyperactivity, and panic/anxiety challenges.

For someone who has bipolar disorder, the same stressful situation that a healthy individual successfully manages can lead to a Bipolar episode. At the same time, bipolar disorder also produces stressful behavior. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in mood along a continuum between depression and mania (euphoria). A chemical imbalance in the brain that affects emotions causes bipolar disorder. It often co-exists with other anxiety disorders.

Antidepressants don’t work the same way for everyone. The effectiveness can vary over time and from person to person. Here are a few tips to help you determine if your antidepressant is working. Depression can be debilitating. Fortunately, for the millions of people who suffer from depression, antidepressants can provide significant relief. Antidepressants don't work the same way for everyone, however. The effectiveness can vary over time and from person to person.

There are two common types of mood disorders: depression and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are more prevalent than you may think, affecting as many as 44 million Americans. But can you tell the difference between a mood swing and a mood disorder? There are two common types of mood disorders: depression and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are more prevalent than you may think, affecting as many as 44 million Americans. Mental health experts believe bipolar disorder and depression stem from an imbalance in chemical activity in the brain, although environmental factors may also play a role.

Every marriage has challenges even among the most healthy, well-adjusted adults. When you add a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder into the mix, it can really strain a relationship. If you or your significant other has bipolar disorder, you can still make your relationship work. Every marriage has challenges even among the most healthy, well-adjusted adults. When you add a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder into the mix, it can really strain a relationship. If you or your significant other has bipolar disorder, you can still make your relationship work.

Studies show a daily routine may make a big difference for people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from emotional highs (mania) to emotional lows (depression). Most people who have bipolar disorder take daily mood-stabilizing medicines to control their symptoms. But medicine isn't the only solution.

Family ties may boost your risk for depression. Mental disorders or illnesses tend to run in families. Last year a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology revealed another familial connection. People with a sibling suffering from a mental illness or disorder are more have a higher risk of developing depression at some point in their lives.

Researchers find more evidence that creativity and mood disorders are linked. Creative types such as Van Gogh, Ernest Hemingway, and John Coltrane are known as much for their genius as for the mood disorders they experienced. Several studies have identified a connection between creativity and mental illness, particularly depression and bipolar disorder, formally referred to as manic depression.

Learn about the four classes of antidepressants, from their indications and efficacy to possible side effects. If you're among the 17 million Americans suffering from depression, a condition in which prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness interfere with the ability to function normally, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the alphabet soup of medications--SSRIs, SNRIs, NDRIs, TCAs, MAOIs--from which to choose.

When you've been wronged, can you forgive and forget, or do you need to exact revenge? Many of us love good revenge stories—tales in which victims ultimately become victors by wielding vengeance on all who've wronged them. But in real life, retribution isn't always all it's cracked up to be. In fact, according to experts, letting go of revenge fantasies may be one of the best things you can do for your health.

Bipolar disorder represents not a single disease, but a spectrum of disorders. Learn about the most common forms. Some 10 million Americans are suffering with bipolar disorder. Also known as manic-depression, the disease is characterized by intense periods of elevated mood, or mania, alternating with periods of depression. Sufferers may seem euphoric one minute and despondent the next.

Nearly 7 percent of Americans suffer from depression, but the disease is often misunderstood. Here, we separate fact from fiction. Persistent feelings of hopelessness, mood disturbances, sleep problems, weight gain or loss these are just some of the symptoms that characterize clinical depression. Also known as major-depressive disorder, the condition affects approximately 14 million Americans each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe, but with the right treatments, patients can manage the disease. Here, a look at bipolar disorder by the numbers. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in an individual's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from normal ups and downs, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severeresulting in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.