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Bipolar disorder

• More information on bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder go through extreme shifts in mood. Sometimes, they feel very "up" — feeling overly joyful and full of energy. This is called mania. At other times, people with bipolar disorder feel very "down" — feeling very sad and hopeless. This is called depression. Sometimes, people with bipolar disorder have symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. Finding the right treatment and sticking with it are the keys to managing bipolar disorder. Without treatment, extreme shifts in mood and energy level make it hard for people with bipolar disorder to keep a job and maintain relationships.

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More information on bipolar disorder

Explore other publications and websites

• Accommodating Workers With Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © Job Accommodation Network) — This publication for employers suggests workplace accommodations that can be made for employees with bipolar disorder. The article discusses the issues that can affect these individuals, offers suggestions to employers, and provides a list of resources for further information.
  http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/Bipolar.html
• Bipolar Disorder — This publication provides information on bipolar disorder, the mood swings that accompany it, and where and how to receive treatment. It also lists organizations to contact for more information.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
• Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © Depression and Bipolar Alliance) — This fact sheet describes the symptoms of bipolar disorder and links to information about the types of bipolar disorder and their treatments. It also contains links to brochures for the recently diagnosed and a mood tracking calendar.
  http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview
• Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © National Alliance on Mental Illness) — This fact sheet briefly describes bipolar disorder, its symptoms, and its treatments. It links to fact sheets for different prescription medications used to treat bipolar disorder.
  http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23037
• Bipolar Disorder (Easy to Read) — This easy-to-read fact sheet describes what bipolar disorder is, when it starts, and how to get help.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-easy-to-read/index.shtml
• Bipolar Disorder and African Americans (Copyright © Mental Health America) — Many African-Americans with bipolar disorder are not getting the treatment they need. But with proper treatment, people can control bipolar mood swings and lead fulfilling lives. This fact sheet discusses the symptoms and treatments of bipolar disorder.
  http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectId=C7DF8995-1372-4D20-C85ABFB47A928F11
• Managing Pregnancy and Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © National Alliance on Mental Illness) — This article summarizes the research that has been done on using medication to treat bipolar disorder during pregnancy.
  http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Research/Managing_Pregnancy_and_Bipolar_Disorder.htm
• Mental Health Services Locator — This website will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.
  http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
• Myths and Facts About Depression and Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) — This fact sheet dispels common myths about bipolar disorder and depression and provides the facts about these illnesses.
  http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/mythsfinal.pdf
• What Are Bipolar Disorders? (Copyright © New York Online Access to Health) — This website provides links to online publications with in-depth information about Bipolar Disorder.
  http://www.noah-health.org/en/mental/disorders/bipolar/what/index.html
• What Helps and What Hurts: When Someone You Care About Has Depression or Bipolar Disorder (Copyright © Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) — People living with depression or bipolar disorder can have a hard time coping with feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or worthlessness. This publication provides guidance on what to say to someone with depressive symptoms to help them cope and feel better.
  http://www.dbsalliance.org/pdfs/helphurtb.pdf

Connect with other organizations

• American Psychological Association
  http://apa.org/
• Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
  http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
  http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
• Mental Health America
  http://www.nmha.org/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  http://www.nami.org/
• National Institute of Mental Health Information Center, NIH
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  http://www.samhsa.gov/

Content last updated September 22, 2009.

Resources last updated September 22, 2009.

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