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It’s one of the most missed diagnoses in psychiatry. Bipolar disorder, involving moods that swing between the highs of mania and the lows of depression, is typically confused with everything from unipolar depression to schizophrenia to substance abuse, to borderline … Continue reading →

Mood Stabilizers (Updated 11/2014) Table of the main options How might you choose? Where to start? Which one is the best? FDA approved or not Specifics: lamotrigine Specifics: lithium Specifics: valproate/divalproex Below you will find a list of the medications currently … Continue reading →

If you have bipolar disorder, medication will most likely be a part of your treatment plan. Medication can help bring mania and depression under control and prevent relapse once your mood has stabilized. But taking medication is just one aspect … Continue reading →

When you have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, it is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, … Continue reading →

If someone close to you has bipolar disorder, your love and support can make a difference in treatment and recovery. You can help by learning about the illness, offering hope and encouragement, keeping track of symptoms, and being a partner … Continue reading →

Does your child go through intense mood changes? Does your child have extreme behavior changes? Does your child get much more excited and active than other kids his or her age? Do other people say your child is too excited … Continue reading →

What are Depression and Bipolar Disorder? Depression and Bipolar Disorder are mood disorders, medical illnesses characterized by changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior.Depression is the most common mood disorder, affecting approximately 20 million Americans each year. Symptoms of depression include: … Continue reading →

You’re not powerless when it comes to bipolar disorder. Beyond the treatment you get from your doctor or therapist, there are many things you can do to reduce your symptoms and stay on track, including educating yourself about bipolar disorder, … Continue reading →

Who Is Affected by Depression? Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year. (Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun; 62(6): 617-27) While major depressive … Continue reading →

Q: What is depression? A: Depression is a treatable, medical illness marked by changes in mood, thought and behavior. That’s why it’s called a mood disorder. Everyone, at various times in life, feels sad or blue. And it’s normal to … Continue reading →