Bipolar Disorder

Five Key Lessons from Britney Spears’ Conservatorship

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on January 18, 2022 in From the Desk of the Mental Health Lawyer

While it’s natural to marvel at the drama of #FreeBritney, families who have loved ones with mental illness are better served by hearing the realistic lessons of her case.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Benefit People with Bipolar Disorder

Francis M. Mondimore M.D. on January 12, 2022 in Bipolar 101

Can dietary changes improve mood stability in people with bipolar disorder? A new study suggests they can.

Bipolar Disorder and the Challenges of Widely Fluctuating Moods

Robert C. Ciampi LCSW on January 12, 2022 in When to Call a Therapist

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health disorder that can be managed with therapy and medications.

A Dark Genome Link to Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Cami Rosso on January 11, 2022 in The Future Brain

Researchers have discovered clues in the dark genome associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that may lead to new drug targets.

Is There Finally a Way to Limit Anti-Psychotic Medication Weight Gain?

Judith J. Wurtman Ph.D. on January 3, 2022 in The Antidepressant Diet

More people have experienced increased anxiety recently, and found relief with a pharmaceutical intervention. There may be a significant side effect, though.

Holidays During the Pandemic

Susan J. Noonan MD on December 21, 2021 in View From the Mist

Holidays were easier last year, there were fewer choices.

What Does Bipolar Disorder Look Like?

Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on December 3, 2021 in Lifetime Connections

Bipolar disorder can be difficult to accurately diagnose and still more challenging to manage once an accurate diagnosis is made. These suggestions can help.

Illustration from 1902 edition of Moby Dick.

Herman Melville and the Question of Bipolar Disorder

Wallace B. Mendelson M.D. on November 23, 2021 in Psychiatry, a History

Did Herman Melville have a form of bipolar disorder? If so, what might that mean in relation to his work?

Why We Don’t Notice Mental Illness Discrimination

Katherine Schreiber MFA, LMSW on November 21, 2021 in The Truth About Exercise Addiction

Mental illness microaggressions often go unnoticed. Here's how to be more aware of them—and how to reduce their negative impact.

Navigating Information During an Age of Mental Health Consumerism

Marc Lener MD on November 21, 2021 in A Biopsychosocial Solution

How can we learn to be more mental health literate?

Rediscovering the Hypomanic Personality

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on November 11, 2021 in Up and Running

Many personality disorders are not included in the DSM. Perhaps the most obscure of these is the hypomanic or exuberant personality.

Harry Potter and the Manic Melancholia

Ed Ergenzinger J.D., Ph.D. on October 29, 2021 in Night Sweats and Delusions of Grandeur

J.K. Rowling has long maintained that the character of Remus Lupin is a metaphor for stigmatized disease sufferers. Here's why Lupin is the perfect metaphor for bipolar disorder.

Nikyra McCann Is "Still Standing" With Bipolar

Mackenzie Littledale on October 26, 2021 in From Margin to Mainstream

People in mental health crisis should not be treated like criminals.

Herman Melville: The Troubled Years After Moby Dick

Wallace B. Mendelson M.D. on October 24, 2021 in Psychiatry, a History

Melville's life was marked by largely unexplained medical complaints, as well as periods of seemingly boundless energy and euphoria, alternating with deep despair.

The Spinning World of Major Depression With Mixed Features

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on October 20, 2021 in Up and Running

What do you call it when major depressive disorder gets energy, rapid thoughts, and scattered affect? Give up? Mixed features.

Removing the Stigma of Mental Illness One Note at a Time

Judith J. Wurtman Ph.D. on October 18, 2021 in The Antidepressant Diet

The creation of a safe space for musicians is, in and of itself, a beautiful work of art.

The Link Between Sleep and Mental Illness

Katherine Schreiber MFA, LMSW on October 16, 2021 in The Truth About Exercise Addiction

Poor sleep is both a hallmark of and contributor to mental health issues. Here's why sleep and our psyche go hand in hand—and how to improve both.

Women With Mental Illness

Lauren Mizock Ph.D. on October 15, 2021 in Cultural Competence

Women with mental illness face a number of challenges but also have unique sources of strength and resilience.

Can Atypical Major Depression Signify Bipolar Disorder?

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on October 14, 2021 in Up and Running

Not every depressive spell is totally sad, agitated, and sleepless. Mood reactivity, leaden paralysis, and hypersomnia are atypical features, highly associated with bipolar disorder.

The Dilemma of Substance-Induced Mood Elevation

Russ Federman Ph.D., A.B.P.P. on September 19, 2021 in Bipolar You

A discussion of post-manic episode choices following substance-induced mood elevations.

How to Recognize the Different Psychotic Disorders

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 10, 2021 in Up and Running

Differentiating psychotic disorders doesn't have to be confusing. Attention to symptom context and duration helps clinicians diagnose and treat patients.

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Kristen Fuller, M.D. on September 3, 2021 in Happiness Is a State of Mind

"Before I was diagnosed by my former psychiatrist, I experienced intense mood swings and, retrospectively, extreme overreactions to everyday situations..."

How Do We Survive Ourselves?

Jennifer J. Brout Psy.D, LPC on September 1, 2021 in Noises Off

Do you wonder how to live with mental health issues? Listening to others with problems may be very helpful.

Parity Laws Curb Bias Against Mental Illness When Enforced

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on August 31, 2021 in From the Desk of the Mental Health Lawyer

Combatting bias against mental illness requires that we fight for the rights afforded under parity laws, which trailblazers worked tirelessly to get on the books.