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Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as Manic Depression,
is a highly disruptive brain disorder.
Since 1994 Pendulum.org has been the web's premier resource
for bipolar information.
The Pendulum Discussion Forums are better than ever.
Come in and chat with new friends in the
updated Bipolar section,
or visit the expanded section for friends and family.
Bipolar Disorder News (click here for news archives)
Frontline Video explores Bipolar Disorder in children - November 18, 2009
Frontline recently aired a program that explores the rapid increase in diagnoses of bipolar disorder in children during the past 7-8 years; the program is an update from earlier Frontline pieces which aired in 2001 and 2008. This program offers an overview of the current environment and attitude in the US vis-à-vis diagnosing young children with bipolar disorder and prescribing psychiatric medicines (many of which are "off label" for kids and adolescents). The video asserts that the rapid increase in diagnosis of bipolar disorder for kids is primarily a US phenomenon and conveys the heart wrenching uncertainty for families who
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Posted by Michael Lane at 10:23 AM
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Managing Bipolar Disorder: "Mood Mapping" - November 17, 2009
I've recently blogged about using Mood Tracking Solutions as a tool for those with bipolar disorder to help manage their lives (see Oct. 27 and Sept. 15 posts). I came across an interesting article which supports this notion. A UK based psychologist and bipolar patient, Dr. Liz Miller, has written a book: "Mood Mapping" which offers a method for bipolar patients to closely monitor their moods as a way to help manage their condition. Dr. Miller was a successful neurosurgeon when she was diagnosed with biopolar disorder at age 28; a series of personal setbacks associated with the bipolar condition
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Posted by Michael Lane at 10:28 AM
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Personal Stories about bipolar disorder - November 12, 2009
I came across an intersting set of Short Stories on the online BBC Health "Secret Life" section. These short clips feature eight people with bipolar disorder who were asked questions about how they first felt when they were diagnosed; their experiences of mania, depression and getting treatment; and whether they'd push a magic button and get rid of the condition if they could. Interestingly, when asked if they could "eliminate their bipolar condition with the magic touch of a button," at least half of them said they wouldn't push that button. Their answers are illuminating and no doubt our readers
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Posted by Michael Lane at 3:10 PM
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House passes Health Care Reform bill - All eyes on the Senate - November 10, 2009
Last Saturday (Nov. 7) the House of Represenatives passed the Health Care Reform bill (H.R. 3962) by a narrow margin of 220-215. The Health Care reform debate has moved over to the Senate side where a similar bill may be brought to the Senate Floor as early as next week. We'll keep you posted on the Senate side developments and monitor the key provisions that impact people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.
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Posted by Michael Lane at 1:08 PM
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Large Increase in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder? - November 10, 2009
The Issue The steady drum beat of diagnosing kids and adolescents across the U.S. with mental illnesses seems to have quickened during the past few years. Increasingly, parents come out of meetings with school counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists et. al. with a diagnosis of pediatric bipolar disorder, early onset bipolar disorder and/or ADHD and a prescription for psychiatric medicines. These diagnoses can both calm and alarm parents. Several recent posts from Kimberly Read, a regular contributor to About.com regarding bipolar disorder, caught my eye. She sites a whopping 4,000 percent increase in pediatric bipolar disorder; I was intrigued by this statistic
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Posted by Michael Lane at 12:36 PM
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Health Care Reform bill with provisions for bipolar patients moving toward a House vote - November 6, 2009
In yesterday's blog, I indicated that the Health Care Reform Bill is moving toward a vote in the House of Representatives. The expected vote is now being considered for Sunday (Nov 8) or perhaps later. President Obama is planning to go to Capitol Hill on Saturday to lobby key swing vote Representatives who could make the difference in passing the Health Care Reform Bill. There are several important provisions for bipolar patients and people with other mental illnesses (see yesterday's blog for these points). Today and tomorrow are great days to call your Representative's Washington D.C. office and indicate your
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Posted by Michael Lane at 11:27 AM
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Health Care Bill has key provisions for bipolar disorder patients - November 5, 2009
Last week, the House of Representatives created a new bill, H.R. 3962, which combines previous legislation passed by three House committees. This newly created legislation represents the House version of Health Care reform which is scheduled for a House vote this Saturday (Nov 7). During the past two days, two large lobbying groups, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Medical Association (AMA), have thrown their support behind H.R. 3962. A Senate version which combines earlier legislation that passed through two Committees is being drafted and is expected to be introduced in the near term. H.R. 3962
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Posted by Michael Lane at 2:54 PM
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Government program supports Employment for people with bipolar disorder and other disabilities - October 29, 2009
During the NAMI 2009 conference we met with representatives of the Social Security Adminstration's TIcket to Work program which provides financial incentives for small businesses to employ people with disabilities. This program has been retooled recently with the objective of making it easier and more lucrative for businesses to hire people who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression and other Mental Illnesses. Earlier today, we received a note from this program with a schedule of events in 15 states during November. For more information or to sign up for one of these program you can access Ticket to Work. If you
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Posted by Michael Lane at 2:37 PM
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Children taking meds for bipolar disorder can effect rapid weight gain - October 28, 2009
Children taking psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses can experience rapid weight gain according to a new study published in the Oct. 28 The Journal of the American Medicine Association. The findings also link some of these drugs to metabolic changes such as elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The Study monitored 272 children from the Queens, NY area, ages 4-19 (with an average age of 14), over a six year period (2001-2007); these children were receiving atypical antipsychotics such as Abilify, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa for the first time. These medicines are considered 2nd generation drugs
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Posted by Michael Lane at 11:45 AM
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Review of Mood Tracking Software: MoodTracker.com - October 27, 2009
MoodTracker.com Our findings are drawn from conversations with the MoodTracker.com CEO (David Hale), current users of MoodTraker.com, and our independent review of MoodTracker.com. We plan to monitor this software, stay in touch with active users and provide subsequent updates. We use pseudonyms to ensure MoodTracker users' privacy. What is MoodTracker.com? MoodTracker.com is a web-based Mood Tracking system which helps people who suffer from bipolar depression or depression track relevant information & data associated with their illness. This information includes: establishing a daily mood chart; charting a patient's "Mood History;" establishing a patient's Medical History; building in Support Alerts which offer
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Posted by Michael Lane at 9:51 AM
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College Survey: Bipolar Disorder and Depression on the rise - October 26, 2009
We recently posted a blog (Oct 19) about the increase in bipolar disorder and depression on college campuses. We cited an NPR Story on "Morning Edition" which highlighted actions that Stanford students are taking to educate other students about Mental Illness. We also cited a multi-decade study which surveyed college counseling professionals across the U.S. We've tracked down the survey, a compressive study which offers a look at the intensity and incidence of Mental Illness on colleges dating back to the early 1980s as well as a snapshot of the current state of counseling services on US colleges. The survey
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Posted by Michael Lane at 8:53 PM
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Bring Change 2 Mind Launches today - October 21, 2009
A new high-profile organization, Bring Change 2 Mind, is being launched today through a series of public service announcements (PSAs). The PSAs address the stigma of Mental Illness and raise awareness of the prevalence of Mental Illness in the U.S.; they are directed by Ron Howard and feature Glenn Close. Glenn Close is working in concert with several leading organizations to create Bring Change 2 Mind. For more information, see www.bringchange2mind.org. Ms. Close has a sister, Jessie, who suffers from bipolar disorder. I must admit that I became a bit emotional when watching a few of the clips available at
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Posted by Michael Lane at 10:34 AM
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Dramatic increase in bipolar depression and depression in colleges - October 19, 2009
Following last Friday's post (Initial onset of Bipolar during College years), I heard an interesting NPR story today on "Morning Edition." The story focused on students at Stanford University who are taking the initiative to help educate other students about the prevalence of depression and bipolar depression in colleges across the United States. These students have created theatrical productions which touch upon social issues including the wide prevalence of mental illness on college campuses. Their intended audience: patients who may be reticent to accept or discuss their illness and people in dorm rooms who often unknowingly create hostile environments for
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Posted by Michael Lane at 3:13 PM
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Initial onset of Bipolar during College years - October 16, 2009
This recent article http://healthnews.uc.edu/news/?/9324 caught my attention. It discusses the notion that depression in young college students can begin to manifest itself just weeks after school starts; at that time, the "the honeymoon period" is over and the ongoing stress of pursuing academic performance kicks in. Bipolar patients often experience a first depression during college. The first onset of a manic or depressed mood characteristic of bipolar disorder usually occurs during the late teens and early 20's; at least half of all cases start before age 25* Attending college offers numerous triggers to set off a bad mood. The difference
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Posted by Michael Lane at 2:54 PM
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Researchers find impact of single gene on Bipolar Disorder - Question use of Lithium for Children - October 13, 2009
Summary A new study suggests that a single gene, called GSK-3, controls the signals that determine how many neurons actually end up composing the brain. This has important implications for patients with neuropsychiatric illness, as links have recently been drawn between GSK-3 and schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. In populating the growing brain, neural stem cells must strike a delicate balance between two key processes - proliferation, in which the cells multiply to provide plenty of starting materials - and differentiation, in which those materials evolve into functioning neurons. If the stem cells proliferate too much, they could grow out
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Posted by Michael Lane at 1:38 PM
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Some Teens and Young Adults May Grow Out of Their Bipolar Disorder - October 2, 2009
University of Missouri researchers have found evidence that nearly half of those diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 25 may outgrow the disorder by the time they reach 30. "Using two large nationally representative studies, we found that there was a strikingly high peak prevalence of bipolar disorders in emerging adulthood," said David Cicero, doctoral student in the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science David Cicero is a graduate student, who led a paper on treatment of bipolar disorder. David Cicero is a graduate student, who led a paper on treatment of bipolar disorder.
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Posted by szadmin at 4:22 PM
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Children of Bipolar Parents - September 21, 2009
Apropos of our recent post on September 17, we came across a University of Pittsburgh Study released earlier this year which offers additional information about children of bipolar parents. Children and teens of parents with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of early-onset bipolar disorder, mood disorders and anxiety disorders, according to a study by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers published in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. An estimated one in 100 children and teens worldwide has bipolar disorder. Identifying the condition early may improve long-term outcomes, potentially preventing high
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Posted by Michael Lane at 3:58 PM
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Genetic link between Adults and Children with bipolar disorder - September 17, 2009
Many bipolar patients must face the terrifying prospect that their illness may be passed along to their children! A recent Q&A post from CNN Health.net caught our attention: Question: "My boyfriend and I discussing getting engaged and having children one day. He said he's scared to have kids. His biological grandmother and his father both have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has no symptoms of it, but some of his siblings do. He is terrified that his children could inherit this disorder! My family has no history of it at all. Since neither of us have it, should we
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Posted by Michael Lane at 10:21 AM
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Yale study increases understanding of bipolar disorder - September 15, 2009
Damage to the brain caused by chronic stress or lead poisoning can be repaired by blocking a key molecular pathway, Yale University researchers report in the September 7-11 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Rats subjected to chronic stress develop damage to the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain crucial to working memory, impulse control and the ability to stay focused on tasks. Long-term stress triggers excessive activity of a family of enzymes called protein kinase C, which in turn damages the cytoskeleton of neurons and hinders their ability transmit information. This loss of the
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Posted by Michael Lane at 11:56 AM
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Review of Mood Tracking Software: bStable - September 15, 2009
bStableTM (McGraw Systems LLC) Our findings are drawn from conversations with the McGraw Systems CEO (Ben McGraw) and current users of bStable, and our independent review of bStable. We plan to use this software and provide a subsequent report on how it performs over time. We use pseudonyms to ensure bStable users' privacy. What is bStable? bStable is a comprehensive "Life Management System" software tool which enables patients diagnosed with affective disorders such as Bipolar Disorder or Depression, their loved ones, psychiatrists, and psychologists to manage the patient's disease state. Patients input and track numerous relevant areas that affect their
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Posted by Michael Lane at 11:44 AM
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Great News!
Sister Leslie has brought the Bipolar Planet out of the backwaters of the Web.
The site is at
www.bipolarplanet.com.
Writings, poetry, and artwork by the tragically untalented Sister Leslie
and her bipolar cohorts,
and Leslie's new blog,
Into the Void: Back off man, I'm co-creating my reality.
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Famous Bipolar People
