Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors please call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or go to your nearest emergency room.
We know that an early diagnosis of bipolar disorder is often uncertain. Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood, energy and daily life functions. There can be other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, panic disorder and substance abuse to complicate diagnosis and treatment. This can be very frightening for the person with bipolar disorder and those who love them.
But the greatest risk of bipolar is no treatment! The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that only half of all people with bipolar disorder receive treatment. This raises the risk factors, particularly for suicide. With diagnosis there is treatment with durable management and recovery from symptoms and a very real possibility of a full and productive life. Treatment typically includes a combination of medication, therapy, stress management, skills training, attention to lifestyle and a support network.
We urge you to seek diagnosis and treatment for yourself or your friends or family members if needed. There is a great document available on the NAMI website: Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Recovery.
There are many resources available. We encourage you to become familiar with these and learn more about bipolar disorder. We want anyone with bipolar disorder to be the strongest voice in their own treatment plan!
Research and Information
- www.nami.org: National Alliance on Mental Illness, a great place to start when looking for information, help, and support.
- www.nimh.nih.gov: National Institute of Mental Health, a wonderful source for current research and studies surrounding mental disorders. This site aims to “transform the understanding and treatment of mental illness through research”.
- www.healthyplace.com: Information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view. They have an "active mental health social network for support, online psychological tests, breaking mental health news, mental health videos, documentary films, a live mental health tv show, unique tools like their "mediminder" and more."
- www.psycom.net/depression.central.ect: This site provides information about electroconvulsive therapy or E.C.T. Includes a Medline search on memory and ECT.
- www.ect.org: A site devoted to the enhanced understanding of electroconvulsive therapy. On this site you will find forums with pro, con, and neutral stances.
- www.mental-health-matters.com: On this site you can find the latest articles on various mental health issues.
- www.ncmhjj.com: (National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice) A centralized national focal point that pulls together and links the various activities and research for youth with mental health disorders in contact with the juvenile justice system.
- www.dbsalliance.org: (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) Almost everything you need to know about depression and bipolar.
- www.nationaleatingdisorders.org: (National Eating Disorder Association) Non-profit organization working to support those experiencing and recovering from eating disorders, and support for their families.
- www.addict-help.com: (Nationwide Alcohol and Drug Addiction) Rehab help information. This site has information on detox, rehab, treatment, and addiction.
- www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org: (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
- www.save.org: (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) Great site promoting awareness, education, and help for those struggling with or affected by suicide.
- www.afsp.org: (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
Useful Services- (web-communities, groups and meet-ups, organizations)
- www.bpkids.com: (Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) Covers information about the illness, including education and legal issues. Provides message boards, chat rooms, and support groups for parents.
- www.wellsphere.com: One of Linea’s most frequented sites. Has a community where you can get information, ask questions, or simply build a profile and interact with other consumers with similar health goals. Visit Linea’s profile here (http://www.wellsphere.com/linea-profile/119590).
- www.facingus.org: A fun and extremely useful site in which you can track your moods, journal, get tips on how to find a happy and healthy life, and build a wellness plan to help you accomplish that goal.
- www.misled-youth.org: This is wonderful online community in which youth can connect to combine energy to, “share ideas, find support, and collaborate with peers”.
- www.dailystrength.org: This site has online support groups for everything from mental health to personal challenges.
- www.aa.org: The online site for Alcoholics Anonymous for anyone dealing with self-medication induced alcoholism.
- www.draonline.org: (Dual Recovery Anonymous) Recovery and support group for those with both a mental or emotional disorders and a drug addiction.
- www.projecttransition.com: Apartment-based communities that support adults suffering from psychiatric problems that have been recurrent. It has many resources on helpful organizations, treatment programs, and educational articles.
- tip.fmhi.usf.edu: (Transition to Independent Process) Organization devoted to helping youth with mental and/or behavioral problems transition to adulthood smoothly and safely.
Advocacy
- www.bringchange2mind.org: A mental health awareness campaign started by Glenn Close and her sister Jessie who are working to fight stigma and change the vocabulary surrounding mental illness.
- www.mindsontheedge.org: Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness provides a link to an excellent video seminar that discusses recovery and solutions to the mistreatment, misrepresentation, and misunderstanding of those suffering with a mental health condition. It also provides a place to share your story and information on how to get involved with the Minds on the Edge movement.
- www.theicarusproject.net: The Icarus Project is one of Linea’s personal favorites. A wonderful community in which people can share stories, questions, and art relating to their life and “illness.” This has great resources for those of you who are focused on alternative forms of medication.
- www.everyminute.org: Every Minute is an organization focused on “accelerating mental health research” by educating people about suicide and mental health. This is a wonderful site for advocacy and has all the latest updates on any news relating to these issues.
- www.mindfreedom.org: MindFreedom International, “is an independent nonprofit coalition defending human rights and promoting humane alternatives for mental and emotional well being.” Their vision is to, “Unite in a spirit of mutual cooperation for a nonviolent revolution of mental health human rights and choice.”
Books
- An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison (Paperback - Jan 14, 1997). This is a classic and written by a psychiatrist with bipolar disorder. This is the first book Cinda read about bipolar disorder.
- The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path through Depression by Eric Maisel (Paperback - Dec 28, 2007). Since we are all artists in our family this is one that Cinda likes very much.
- Mind Race: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Bipolar Disorder (Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) by Patrick E. Jamieson and Moira A. Rynn (Paperback - Aug 15, 2006). This is a wonderful book for teenagers, young adults, parents and educational professionals. Linea said that the first ten pages describe her feelings so accurately.
- The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family by David J. Miklowitz and Elizabeth L. George (Paperback - Nov 15, 2007). Teens may not find this too interesting but it is a good resource for parents and teachers.
- How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person's Guide to Suicide Prevention by Susan Rose Blauner (Paperback- June 30, 2003). A great book for anyone who has experienced or is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Provides great skills and resources to help one cope with the agony and horror of suicide.