The Bipolar Disorder Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), you are never alone. Countless men, women, and children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived.  he following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Web to assemble links to the very best bipolar disorder resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges you're facing now.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this bipolar disorder guide even more helpful to survivors like you.    

JUST FOUND OUT  

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Bipolar Disorder

• National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder
• MedlinePlus: Bipolar Disorder
• American Psychological Association: Bipolar Disorder
  

The Big Picture

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings — from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Dramatic changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Here's more on how to recognize bipolar disorder:

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Bipolar Disorder - What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder? 
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Bipolar Disorder
  

Your Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar can be a confusing diagnosis because everyone has periods of ups and downs. What separates normal moods from bipolar disorder seems to be intensity and frequency of the mood swings. These sites can hep you understand your own bipolar disorder and what to expect:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Types of Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Bipolar Disorder Across the Lifespan
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Can Children and Adolescents Have Bipolar Disorder?

Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

Not sure what to ask your doctor? Here's a good place to start:

• Health.com: 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: You've Just Been Diagnosed - What Now? (PDF)
  

Your World

Sometimes, the manic episodes of bipolar disorder have a certain appeal. During this part of the cycle you may be more energetic, enthusiastic, productive and creative, but the loss of control and impulsivity during these periods can lead to very serious problems, including financial and sexual issues, and they can take a big toll on your relationships. But the flip side of bipolar disorder -- often devastating depression -- also exacts a big price on survivor and those around her/him:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Find Support
• NIMH: How Can Individuals and Families Get Help for Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder Myths

• "Bipolar disorder is rare."
• "People who claim to be bipolar are just having ordinary ups and downs."
• "It's obvious when someone has bipolar disorder."
  

WebMD.com: 8 Myths About Bipolar Disorder

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

• WebMD.com: Mood Swings and Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Finding Peace of Mind - Treatment Strategies for Depression and Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Bipolar Disorder Across the Lifespan

Types of Treatment

Most people who have bipolar disorder are treated with a combination of prescription medication and psychotherapy (counseling):

• NIMH: How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Getting the Treatment You Need

Alcohol and drug abuse frequently need to be treated along with the bipolar disorder:

NIMH: Do Other Illnesses Co-Occur with Bipolar Disorder?

Prescription Medications

• NIMH: How is Bipolar Disorder Treated? (scroll down for information about medications and possible side effects)
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Medications for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Psychotherapy 

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Psychotherapy -- How It Works and How It Can Help
• WebMD.com: Nondrug Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
  

Lifestyle Changes

There's some evidence that physical activity, stress reduction, relaxation techniques, and other non-drug approaches may help:

• Tackling Bipolar Disorder: The many ways to stay active to prevent an episode
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Healthy Lifestyles

Possible Treatment Side Effects

All drugs come with the risk of side effects and those used to treat bipolar disorder are no exception:

• WebMD.com: Bipolar Disorder -- Medications for Bipolar Disorder
• Psychcentral.com: Bipolar Beat - Managing Bipolar Medication Side Effects

Holistic Treatments

If you decide to explore alternative therapies for treating your bipolar disorder, be sure to let your doctors know of anything you're using or taking in addition to your medication:

Mayoclinic.com: Bipolar Disorder - Alternative Medicine

New Therapies

The National Institute of Mental Health oversees clinical trials into, among other areas, new treatment options for bipolar disorder:

NIMH: Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness)

Insurance & Work Matters

Insurance Matters

Most health insurance plans will cover treatment for bipolar disorder. Check your policy to see what's covered for you:

• About.com: Bipolar Disorder - Insurance
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Professionals Listed by Insurance Company

Work Matters

Bipolar disorder survivors may find themselves having difficulty on the job; problems with interpersonal relationships, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating can all cause conflict. If your job allows for time off for medical or personal reasons it may be beneficial to take some time off to get your recovery on track, especially as you're working with your health-care providers to find the right medication(s) and dose that works best for you:

• WebMD.com: Bipolar Disorder and Your Job
• Forbes.com: Disclosing Bipolar Disorder

What Kind of Health-care Providers Will I Need?

Typically psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and other psychotherapists treat bipolar disorder. You will need an M.D. to prescribe medication for you:

WrongDiagnosis.com: Doctors and Medical Specialists for Bipolar Disorder

If you ever feel suicidal, be sure to seek immediate medical help by calling 911, going to an emergency room, or calling this number: 1-800-273-TALK.

Resources to Find Doctors

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Find a Mental Health Professional

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Bipolar disorder may be the quinetessential "rollercoaster" condition, with its many ups and downs over time. But in most cases, with the appropriate medication(s) and good psychotherapy, those with bipolar disorder are able to stay on an even keel. You can and will make it through these challenges, but be sure to find the support you need - and get help for those who are supporting, too, since this condition can take a big toll on loved ones - whether it's talking openy with friends and family or joining an online or in-person support - all can help at various stages of your journey, so don't be afraid to ask for the help you need:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Find Support
• NIMH: How Can Individuals and Families Get Help for Bipolar Disorder? 

Build a Support Network

• Set up your TSC survivor profile.
• Join support groups of other survivors or start your own.
• Interact and provide updates on your progress.
  

Books Survivors Recommend

• We Heard the Angels of Madness: One Family's Struggle with Manic Depression by Diane and Lisa Berger
  
• A Brilliant Madness: Living With Manic Depressive Illness by Patty Duke and Gloria Hoch man
  
• What Goes up...? Surviving the Manic Episode of a Loved One by Judy Eron
  
• An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison
  
• Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D by Lizzie Simon
  

What Survivors Wish They’d Known

Dealing with Bipolar Disorder: Information for Co-Survivors

Co-survivors of those with bipolar disorder have challenges of their own: You will be dealing with sometimes erratic behavior and you may find yourself struggling to keep things stable at home. Understanding your loved one's disorder can make a big difference, but it's important for you to get the support you need too. Look for support groups online or in your community. You may also consider getting some counseling if the road gets too bumpy at times, especially as you strive to find the best treatment for your loved one. 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Helping Someone with a Mood Disorder

What to Say

• "I will be there for you."
• "This is not your fault."
• "Tell me how I can help."

What Not to Say

• "What's your problem?"
• "It's all in your mind."
• "Stop acting crazy."

Things You Can Do For a Survivor Every Day

There are many ways to provide support for someone who has bipolar disorder. Little gestures like calling, emailing, and writing letters and cards are all ways to let someone know you care and are interested in hearing about their progress. Being a good listener is one of the best ways to support someone through any kind of crisis; resist the urge to jump in with judgment or try to solve your survivor's problem.

You've reached a new stage in your journey as a survivor. You have become one of the many who've met the challenges of bipolar disorder and found a way to live with this condition. Continue to stay proactive by staying informed, sticking to your treatment plan, taking care of your body, and talking to your health-care provider if you notice a worsening of your symptoms.

If you ever feel suicidal, be sure to seek immediate medical help by calling 911, going to an emergency room, or calling this number: 1-800-273-TALK.

Remission / Recovery / Recurrence

Bipolar disorder is something you'll likely have to treat for the rest of your life. There may be times when you feel yourself slipping into a depressive or manic state even after you’ve been on your treatment plan for a while. If this happens, make plans to see your doctor as soon as possible to re-evaluate the treatment regimen you're on - it may need to be adjusted. You may also want to seek a second or third medical opinion or seek another health-care provider if you don't feel your concerns are being adequately addressed by your current doctors.

It can help to track your symptoms in a diary like this one:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Calendar (PDF)
• WebMD.com: Bipolar Disorder - Managing the Balancing Act
• WebMD.com: Living a Healthy Life with Bipolar Disorder
• Yahoo! Health: Bipolar Disorder in Children - Helping your child prevent manic episodes  

It can help to hear inspiring stories from other survivors of bipolar disorder:

• Yahoo! Health: Manic Panic - Living with Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Online Support Group
  

Give Back

What helped you through your journey as someone with bipolar disorder -- from diagonsis, through finding the right treatment, and now as someone who's in recovery? Consider reaching out to others who are where you've been - your words of wisdom, experience, and compassion could be just the hope and inspiration they need right now. 

The worst-case scenario for someone with bipolar disorder is that you may feel such crushing depression that you become suicidal, or want to harm someone else.

If you ever feel suicidal or as if you might be a danger to someone else, seek immediate medical help by calling 911, going to an emergency room,calling 1-800-273-TALK.

PsychCentral.com: Dangerousness and Bipolar Disorder