Bipolar Disorder

Beyond Diagnosis

The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (National DMDA), a patient advocacy organization, calls upon the primary care community to move beyond the diagnosis of depression and increase patient involvement to improve the quality of care for people being treated for depression in the primary care setting. […]

Depression

Post-Partum Depression

Postpartum depression is not just “the baby blues,” a mild feeling of sadness after a baby is born that goes away on its own. If the “baby blues” don’t go away after 2 weeks, you could be suffering from postpartum depression, and should seek help. You need not feel ashamed of having an illness – or of any treatment you may need to feel better – any more than you would feel ashamed about having diabetes or asthma and taking medication to stay healthy. […]

Bipolar Disorder

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies involving people, which may be conducted by universities, hospitals, non-profit community agencies or for-profit testing companies. Some trials evaluate the effects of new or existing medications. Others study new forms of psychotherapy or other treatment methods. Each follows a structured plan developed before the trial begins. […]

Bipolar Disorder

Treatment Technologies for Mood Disorders

Treatment for depression and bipolar disorder usually includes four elements: talk therapy, medication, peer support, and a personal wellness plan. Sometimes, though, these standard treatments don’t help… or don’t help enough. As a result, researchers are turning to new technologies in search of more effective treatments. […]

Bipolar Disorder

Introduction to Depression and Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder is a treatable medical illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between mania and depression. This change in mood (or “mood swing”) can last for hours, days, weeks or even months. […]

Bipolar Disorder

SGV Depression and Bipolar Support

More than 20 million American adults live with depression, or an estimated 10% of the U.S. population. 2.3 million live with bipolar disorder. If you’re suffering from bipolar disorder or depression, you’re simply not alone. In women ages 40-59, 1 in 4 are now taking antidepressants.

So what can you do? One key tool with remarkable efficacy are support groups, and there’s a real science behind this. It is a means to deal with a largely genetic condition by creating an environment that changes gene expression. […]