Research Notes on Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, is a serious mental illness that is different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through.1 The extremes of mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder cause an instability that can be disabling.2 During a manic phase, the "high" in bipolar disorder, people may experience euphoria, extreme optimism, poor judgment, rapid thoughts and speech, aggressive or risky behavior, spending sprees, hypersexuality, increased physical activity, and/or drive to perform or achieve goals.3 During a depressed phase, the "low" in bipolar disorder, people can experience sadness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts or behavior, anxiety, guilt, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, problems with appetite or concentration, and/or chronic pain.3 Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in severe problems, including poor performance in work or school, legal or financial problems, relationship problems, isolation, alcoholism, substance abuse, and even suicide.4 However, effective treatments exist; generally a combination of medicines and therapy works best.5
Fast Facts:
- Bipolar disorder is sometimes seen in families.5
- Types of bipolar disorder include: bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, rapid cycling bipolar disorder, and mixed state bipolar disorder.3
- Bipolar disorder can also result in psychosis.3
5 Great Resources on Bipolar Disorder
- Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder
- eMedicine: Bipolar Affective Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Bipolar Disorder
- Mental Health America (MHA): Factsheet: Bipolar Disorder
- MedlinePlus: Bipolar Disorder
5 Latest Headlines on Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
- MedicineNet: What is Bipolar Disorder?
- TeensHealth: Bipolar Disorder What is it?
- Wikipedia: Bipolar Disorder
- Internet Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder
- eMedTV: Comprehensive Bipolar Information
What Are The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
- MedicineNet: Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
- Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder Signs and Symptoms
- WebMD: Understanding Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
- Family Doctor: What are Some of the Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
- eHow: How to Recognize the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
What Are The Causes and Complications of Bipolar Disorder?
- MedicineNet: What Causes Bipolar Disorder
- Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder Causes
- WebMD: Causes of Bipolar Disorder - The Basics
- HealthScout: Causes and Risk Factors of Bipolar Disorder
What Are The Treatments and Medications for Bipolar Disorder?
- MedicineNet: How Bipolar Disorder is Treated
- Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder Treatment
- Cleveland Clinic (via WebMD): Bipolar Disorder Treatment Overview
- WebMD: Bipolar Disorder Medications
- Family Doctor: How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
- eMedTV: Bipolar Disorder Treatment: An Overview
What Are The Holistic and Alternative Treatments for Bipolar Disorder?
- Yourfamilyclinic: A Holistic Approach for Treating Manic Depressive Disorders
- Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Interpersonal Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
- Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Family Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
What Are The Types, Stages and Survival Rates of Bipolar Disorder?
- MedicineNet: What is the Course of Bipolar Disorder?
- HealthCentral: Bipolar Disorder - What is the Prognosis?
- WrongDiagnosis: Prognosis of Bipolar Disorder | Types of Bipolar Disorder
- Cleveland Clinic (via WebMD): Forms of Bipolar Disorder
How Do You Prevent Bipolar Disorder?
- Cleveland Clinic (via WebMD): Can Bipolar Disorder be Prevented?
- PsychCentral: Prevention of Bipolar Disorder
- Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Bipolar Disorder Prevention
- eMedicineHealth: Bipolar Disorder Prevention
Wisdom, Personal Experiences and Blogs about Bipolar Disorder
- WebMD: Bursts of Normal - Riding the Bipolar Rollercoaster Personal Story
- Revolution Health: Personal Stories on Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar Hope: Community for People Who Have Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
- Revolution Health: Community Posts on Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar Central: Blog for Supporters of Loved Ones With Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar Resources Blog: A Community Blog For People Who Have Loved Ones With Bi-Polar
- HelpGuide: Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Foundations and Support Groups on Bipolar Disorder
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Bipolar Resources
- WebMD: Bipolar Disorder Support Group
- Official Site: Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
- Official Site: Meehl Foundation
Message Boards, Chat and Discussions about Bipolar Disorder
- eHealth Forum: Bipolar Disorder Forums
- Bipolar World: Moderated Chats on Bipolar Disorder
- Daily Strength: Discussion on Bipolar Disorder
- Healthboards: Bipolar Disorder Message Boards
- Revolution Health: Community Posts on Bipolar Disorder
Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Bipolar Disorder
- JAMA: Bipolar Disorder Articles
- PubMed Central: Bipolar Disorder Articles
- Google Scholar: Bipolar Disorder Recent Articles
Clinical Trials on Bipolar Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Bipolar Disorder Open Studies
- CenterWatch: Clinical Trial Listings- Bipolar Disorder
Research Notes References
- ↑ NIMH: Bipolar Disorder
- ↑ Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
- ↑ Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder Complications
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 MedlinePlus: Bipolar Disorder
User Recommended Links for Bipolar Disorder
- AccessDNA.com: AccessDNA - Manic Depression (1 Recommendation)
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About this WisdomCard
- Contributor: Nicole Kinsey
- Reviewer: Emily Lapkin
- Supervised by: The OrganizedWisdom Physician Review Team
- Last update: Jan. 8, 2009
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