Organizations
The following organizations are good places to go to learn more about bipolar disorder, including information about symptoms, how the condition is diagnosed, what treatments are available, and research advances: American Psychiatric Association (APA) The APA is an organization focused on helping patients receive high-quality mental health care, educating people on bipolar disorder and related mental health disorders, and advancing research in these fields. On its website, you can read about bipolar disorder and learn about the warning signs of a mental illness like bipolar disorder. Brain and Behavior Research Foundation This foundation awards grants to researchers studying new and innovative treatment options for mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. Read about the latest research findings related to bipolar disorder, and check out its Brain Matters Blog. International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) ISBD aims to educate people about bipolar disorder and promote collaborative research initiatives in this field. Its website offers tip sheets on bipolar disorder, suicide prevention, and related topics. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) This organization funds research related to bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions to improve our understanding of these conditions and develop new treatment options. Its website provides information about bipolar disorder, including symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for a variety of disorders. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI advocates for increased education about and awareness of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. NAMI offers support groups both for people who have mental health conditions and their loved ones. You can also read personal stories related to mental health on its website. If you’re in crisis and need help, you can reach NAMI’s helpline by dialing 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or emailing info@nami.org. In severe cases, bipolar disorder can be debilitating and make working a steady job difficult. In some instances, people with bipolar disorder may qualify for disability benefits. On IBPF’s website, you can find more information on how people with bipolar disorder can apply for Social Security Disability benefits.
Coping and Support
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Bipolar disorder not only affects the person who has it but also their friends, colleagues, and loved ones. A good support system is necessary to get the range of help you may need, from medical to practical to emotional assistance. DBSA can help you find support groups near you, It also offers resources for family and friends of loved ones who have bipolar disorder or depression.
Statistics and Facts
Check out the statistics offered on NAMI’s website to learn more about the prevalence of bipolar disorder and the rates of diagnosis for different populations in the United States.
Medication for Bipolar Disorder
Medications commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers and antipsychotics:
Aripiprazole (Abilify)Valproic acid (Depakene)Divalproex sodium (Depakote)Ziprasidone (Geodon)Lamotrigine (Lamictal)Lurasidone (Latuda)Lithium (Lithobid)Olanzapine and samidorphan (Lybalvi)Risperidone (Risperdal)Asenapine (Saphris)Quetiapine (Seroquel)Olanzapine and fluoxetine (Symbyax)Carbamazepine (Tegretol)Cariprazine (Vraylar)Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Alternative Therapies
Along with medication, complementary and alternative therapies as well as certain lifestyle modifications may be helpful for people with bipolar depression. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you make any changes to your routine. 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have Bipolar Depression What Are the Benefits of Fish Oil for Bipolar Disorder?
Patient Blogs and Stories
Hearing the experiences of others with bipolar disorder, including how they manage their condition, what kinds of specific challenges they’ve encountered, and how they’ve handled them, can be incredibly helpful and make you feel less alone. Check out these pages for personal stories of people living with bipolar disorder: bpHope bpHope is an online community for people with bipolar disorder and their loved ones. There, you can find personal stories and other educational information on the condition. Have a look at their posts about the difference between unipolar and bipolar depression and habits of successful people with bipolar disorder. Psych Education Founded in 2001, this blog is run by two doctors, with the help other experts, in an attempt to make anxiety, mood disorders, and research related to mental health conditions easier for patients and readers to understand. The Mighty This community supports people who have a health condition such as bipolar disorder, as well as their friends and family members. The Mighty features real-world stories on a variety of topics and the ability to connect with different groups of people depending on your needs and interests.
Finding a Treatment Facility or Healthcare Provider
These sources can help you locate mental health professionals in your area who are qualified to treat bipolar disorder: American Psychiatric Association (APA) APA offers a tool you can use to find a psychiatrist in your area. American Psychological Association (APA) This professional organization of psychologists promotes the advancement of research and understanding of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. If you or someone you know needs help, check out their crisis hotlines and resources. There, you can also find a psychologist to connect with based on your state. Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) ADAA is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and finding new treatment options for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. On their website, you can find a therapist based on your location or view a list of health providers that offer telemental health services in each state. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) DBSA offers a guide to finding the right healthcare provider for you.
Clinical Trials
The aim of clinical trials is to increase knowledge about the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of a health condition. Study participants are typically given some form of medical intervention, such as a new medication, device, procedure, or behavioral strategy, depending on what is being researched. There can be benefits as well as risks to participating in a clinical study. If you’re interested in participating, you can apply to enroll in a clinical trial through the following websites: CenterWatch CenterWatch provides information gathered from clinical trials to other professional groups. You can find a trial that may be relevant to you, read up on drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and more on its website. ClinicalTrials.gov This organization collects data from clinical studies, which you can view by health condition or by location. National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIH, the parent organization of NIMH, explains some basics about clinical trials and publishes personal stories about both volunteers and researchers involved in research trials. Additional reporting by Deborah Shapiro and Leona Vaughn.
