Category Archives: News & updates

We’ve come a little way in reducing the stigma that’s associated with mental illness, but not nearly far enough. Consider these results pulled from a public attitude survey in Tarrant County, Texas, conducted by the county’s Mental Health Connection and … Continue reading →

Depression is different from other illnesses in that, in addition to the physiological symptoms (loss of appetite, nervousness, sleeplessness, fatigue), there are the accompanying thoughts that can be so incredibly painful. For example, when myRaynaud’s flares up, the numbness in … Continue reading →

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 42,773 Americans die by suicide each year. That’s 117 people every day. When you think of what may be causing these suicides, instinctually, you might assume depression and/or mental illness. And you … Continue reading →

Introduction Anxiety can be a symptom of bipolar disorder. This was recognized by the fellow who originally described bipolar disorder as such, Dr. Emil Kraepelin, back in 1921. He described “anxious mania”, and also “excited depression”, which included a “great … Continue reading →

Anxious depression could be “bipolar”?! An international group of expertsISBD described anxiety in bipolar disorder thus: General hyperarousal Inner tension Irritability /impatience Agitation “Frantically anxious” These symptoms are not generally regarded as symptoms of bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, the very name … Continue reading →

Abstract Recent work suggests that a broad clinical spectrum of bipolar disorder is more common than previously thought and that the disorder may affect up to 5% of the population. The correct definition and diagnosis of hypomania is central to … Continue reading →

Dimen­sion 20 points 15 points 10 points 5 points 2 points Episode Charac­teristics Manicsymp­toms with “prom­inenteuphoria, gran­diosity or expan­sive­ness”. Manic symp­toms withdys­phoria, irritab­ility Hypo­manic symp­toms; or mania fol­lowing an anti­depres­sant Hypo­manic symp­toms fol­lowing an anti­depres­sant; or hypo­mania below DSM thres­hold; … Continue reading →

The Bipolarity Index: a 5-dimension, 100-pt. system Dimen­sion 20 points 15 points 10 points 5 points 2 points Episode Charac­teristics Manicsymp­toms with “prom­inenteuphoria, gran­diosity or expan­sive­ness”. Manic symp­toms withdys­phoria, irritab­ility Hypo­manic symp­toms; or mania fol­lowing an anti­depres­sant Hypo­manic symp­toms fol­lowing an anti­depres­sant; … Continue reading →

What are the basics of bipolar disorder treatment? Principle A: Maximize Non-Medication Approaches Principle B: Medications — use evidence-based Mood Stabilizers Principle C:  Beware of Antidepressants Which mood stabilizer should I start with? What should I do with my antidepressant? … Continue reading →

Used by permission of Dr. Nassir Ghaemi and developer Dr. Ron Pies The BSDS is a test for subtle versions of bipolar disorder. Before you start this test, you should know that it will not give you a “yes or no” … Continue reading →