Bi-Polar Disorders

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a serious but treatable medical illness. It is a disorder of the brain marked by extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior. Symptoms may be present since infancy or early childhood, or may suddenly emerge in adolescence or adulthood. Until recently, a diagnosis of the disorder was rarely made in childhood. Doctors can now recognize and treat bipolar disorder in young children.

Early intervention and treatment offer the best chance for children with emerging bipolar disorder to achieve stability, gain the best possible level of wellness, and grow up to enjoy their gifts and build upon their strengths. Proper treatment can minimize the adverse effects of the illness on their lives and the lives of those who love them.

Families of affected children and adolescents are almost always baffled by early-onset bipolar disorder and are desperate for information and support. In this section of the CABF web site, you will find answers to some of the most common questions asked about the disorder.

Please see full article at (click on) "About early-onset bipolar disorder" Also in Espanol.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Insurance Parity Laws by State

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Legislative Alerts

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

The Bipolar Child Web site of authors Demitri Papolos, M.D. and Janice Papolos, author of best-selling book, The Bipolar Child (Broadway Books, 1999). Offers excellent newsletter with archived articles of interest to families.

BPSO (support and information for Significant Others of those who have Bipolar Disorder)

The Center for Mental Health Services' Knowledge
Exchange Network (KEN)
A comprehensive mental health site from the U.S. government with a wealth of free publications and resources on bipolar disorder and related issues like stigma, depression, anxiety, and other childhood brain disorders.

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (National DMDA)

National Institute of Mental Health Child/Adolescent Resources

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The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

URL: http://www.nami.org/illness/

Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a brain disorder involving episodes of mania and depression. It affects more than two million American adults. Effective treatments are available that greatly reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder and allow people to lead normal and productive lives.

Bipolar disorder
Childhood-onset Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet - Reference guide to bipolar disorder in children.
Medications used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder

Medications used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder:

Depakote (valproate) Fact Sheet - Facts about depakote including, dosage, response rate, benefits, risks and side effects, and minimizing risks and side effects.

Lithium Fact Sheet - Facts about lithium including response rate, benefits, risks and side effects, and minimizing risks and side effects.

New Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet (Spanish Version) - Information about "off label" use, which is the use of anticonvulsant and atypical antipsychotic medications to treat bipolar disorder in patients who do not respond adequately to traditional antidepressant medications.