National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Bipolar Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health
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National Institutes of Health
Bipolar Disorder
Also called: Manic-depressive illness
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it experience dramatic mood swings. They may go from overly energetic, "high" and/or irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.
Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.
Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. However, there are effective treatments: medicines and "talk therapy". A combination usually works best.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
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Start Here
- Bipolar Disorder(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Bipolar Disorder
(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Also available in Spanish
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
- Bipolar Disorder(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Bipolar Disorder(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Major Ups and Downs: Bipolar Disorder Brings Extreme Mood Swings(National Institutes of Health)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
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Treatment
- Anticonvulsants Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.)
- Also available in Spanish
- Antipsychotic Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.)
- Also available in Spanish
- Bipolar Treatment: Are Bipolar I and Bipolar II Treated Differently?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Brain Stimulation Therapies(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Dual Diagnosis and Recovery(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
- Also available in Spanish
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Mental Health Medications(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Psychotherapies(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Specific Conditions
- Cyclothymia (Cyclothymic Disorder)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Related Issues
- Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism: Are They Related?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Bipolar Medications and Weight Gain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Mental Health Providers: Tips on Finding One(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Suicide Prevention(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
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Health Check Tools
- Mental Health Screening Center(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
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Videos
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Childhood Bipolar Disorder(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Childhood Bipolar Disorder
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bipolar Disorder(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Mood Disorders(National Institutes of Health)
- Clinical Trials(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bipolar Disorder
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Research
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Atypical Antipsychotic More Effective Than Older Drugs in Treating Childhood Mania, but Side Effects Can Be Serious(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Mood Disorders(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Rate of Bipolar Symptoms Among Teens Approaches That of Adults(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Atypical Antipsychotic More Effective Than Older Drugs in Treating Childhood Mania, but Side Effects Can Be Serious
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Posttraumatic stress disorder comorbidity and clinical implications in patients with...
- Article: Balanced efficacy, safety, and tolerability recommendations for the clinical management...
- Article: Screening for pediatric bipolar disorder in primary care.
- Bipolar Disorder -- see more articles
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Directories
- Find Your Local NAMI(NAMI)
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Finding Help for Mental Illnesses(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Mental Health Services Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Psychologist Locator(American Psychological Association)
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Organizations
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Law and Policy
- Legal Issues of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder(Balanced Mind Foundation)
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Statistics
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Any Mood Disorder Among Adults(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Any Mood Disorder in Children(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Bipolar Disorder Among Adults(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Any Mood Disorder Among Adults
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Children
- Bipolar Disorder(Nemours Foundation)
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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Also available in Spanish
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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent's Guide(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder(Balanced Mind Foundation) - PDF
- Storm in My Brain: Kids and Mood Disorders (Bipolar Disorder and Depression)(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) - PDF
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Teenagers
- Bipolar Disorder(Nemours Foundation)
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Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent's Guide(National Institute of Mental Health)
- Is It Just a Mood or Something Else?(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
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Women
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Patient Handouts
- Bipolar disorder
- Also available in Spanish
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Bipolar Disorder - Multiple Languages