The question of whether to disclose one’s bipolar disorder to an employer often causes anxiety for the person with the illness. Of course, it shouldn’t be that way. If you were ill with cancer or suffered some physical disability, you would probably disclose it without reservation, but with a mental illness, people often fear the very real possibility of being stigmatized. Read the rest of this entry »
Science Daily just reported in an article titled “‘Wake-Up Pill’ Under Study To Treat Patients With Bipolar Disorder” that a “preliminary study of 85 patients with bipolar disorder shows that a drug used to treat patients with sleep disorders might also control the depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.” The study first appeared in the August 2007 edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Read the rest of this entry »
In the navigation bar on the right, we have included links to two pages—Post a Question and Share Your Bipolar Story. We encourage visitors to the Bipolar Blog to feel at home here and add your own character and insights. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Recently, Jeff posted a comment on ”Quit Your High-Stress Job?” asking for advice and support related to his situation. Because work is such a common problem area for people with bipolar disorder, I encourage you to read that article and the interesting discussion that it has generated, including my response.
Q: I am a job coach, I help get jobs for disabled people and help train them. I have had several clients who have bipolar disorder. They do not seem to be able to keep jobs no matter what field we put them in. Many of them are great workers but getting them to come on time (if at all) is a big deal. Is there a way to work with these people that would make them successful? Read the rest of this entry »
When you have other illnesses, you’re usually well aware that you are not feeling well, and you seek some form of medical treatment. When you’re manic or depressed, however, you may not realize what’s going on and may actually do your best to avoid treatment. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid bipolar disorder treatment team in place—to care for you when you’re not able to care for yourself and help you stay on course.
In this article, we cover the basics of building a strong and effective bipolar treatment team. Read the rest of this entry »
About a year into our bipolar journey, I received a referral from a colleague of mine… actually my agent at the time. My agent knew of a doctor at a local university who specialized in bipolar disorder. After going through three or four doctors and seeing very little progress, the “specialist” seemed like the best option. We felt as though we were getting the rock star of psychiatry. We searched the Internet, and this guy’s name was on at least a half dozen journal articles!
In Chapter 12 of Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, we discuss mood stressors and triggers—situations, events, or certain times of the year that tend to lower your threshold for the onset of a mood episode.
For my family, it’s Christmas. When my wife was teaching full time, we also experienced mood episodes during the first month of the school year and the first month of summer break—when my wife and I (Mrs. Mom and Mr. Mom) swapped roles. We knew these times were coming. We knew ahead of time that they were going to challenge us, but these same three times every year, we ran into trouble.
In Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, we talk quite a bit about stressors and triggers—people or situations that can cause enough emotional or psychological duress to push you into a mood episode. We encourage you to identify and then avoid your stressors and triggers as much as possible, but that begs the question of what to do in complicated situations. What if your stressor is a six-figure job or your spouse of 15 years?
Welcome to the Bipolar Blog. Ever since we wrapped up our work on Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, we have been discussing the idea of hosting a blog… both to promote the book and to provide late-breaking information and support to our readers.