Articles Index

Carrie Fisher - Writer and Actress

Actress and writer Carrie Fisher's bipolar disorder first appeared during adolescence, and has manifested itself in drug and alcohol addiction since then - yet she has come back again and again.

Anxiety Medications

Anxiety medications, also called anti-anxiety medications or anxiolytics, are prescribed for anxiety disorders as well as for people who have anxiety along with bipolar disorder or major depression. Anxiety medications help to make people less anxious and also help to ease restlessness and worrying. There are also some medications used to treat anxiety that are primarily used for other symptoms.

The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Sex

The impact of bipolar disorder on sex can be frustrating or even devastating to self-esteem and relationships. The mood swings and the complications of treatment far too often push these normal tensions to extreme behavior and dysfunction. Mania often leads to hypersexuality and for some, sex addictions. Depression and medication side effects can kill libido bringing sex to a grinding halt. So what is a person to do?

Dry Mouth and Medications

Did you know that the dry mouth caused by some medications can lead to tooth decay and gum disease? It's true, and many of the drugs often prescribed for bipolar disorder cause dry mouth. Here is information about the problem and some ideas on what you can do to help dry mouth and prevent tooth decay related to your meds.

What Are Clinical Trials of Medications?

Clinical trials test new medications before they may be prescribed by doctors and marketed. They also test new treatments before they may be used on the general public. This article outlines the procedures and parameters of clinical trials and defines terms such as informed consent.

What Are Clinical Research Studies?

Clinical research studies are studies conducted by researchers to evaluate or learn more about such things as the safety and effectiveness of a medication, genetics issues regarding medical and psychiatric conditions, treatment options, etc. Research studies regarding medications and treatment options are called clinical trials.

Seroquel Study Ends

At the end of the first eight weeks of the Seroquel clinical study for bipolar depression, participants may or may not start taking pills containing something different from what they took during the acute phase. It certainly seemed that this had happened in my case.

Colon Surgery for Mom

Once it was apparent that my mother's large intestine was going to continue to twist over on itself even when she had not been eating, we were out of options. They scheduled her to have colostomy surgery on October 17th.

Mom's in the Hospital

During my fifth week of participation in the Seroquel clinical study for bipolar depression, my mother became seriously ill. Each doctor had a different opinion, depending on his area of expertise - the gastroenterologist, the cardiologist, the surgeon - we were bombarded with information but none of it told us what to DO.

Seroquel Clinical Study for Bipolar Depression - Week 1

I received my first 8 days of medication for the Seroquel / Paxil / Placebo clinical study on September 6, 2005. The pills made a big difference right away. It doesn't seem possible that I'm taking nothing but placebos ... judge for yourself.

Seroquel Research Study - Screening Visit

After many weeks of tapering off a variety of bipolar disorder medications, I finally had my first visit with the Seroquel study coordinator. I'd hoped to get medication right away, but instead I had to read and sign long forms, fill out questionnaires, answer a lot of questions and have laboratory tests done.

Seroquel Clinical Study for Bipolar Depression - Week 2

From sleep to creativity to temper tantrums - the second week of the Seroquel / Paxil clinical study was filled with contrasts. These pills, whatever they are, are definitely making a difference!

Seroquel Clinical Study for Bipolar Depression

During the third and fourth weeks on the study medications, I didn't recognize what was going on while it was happening. I just enjoyed it ... until cracks started to show.

Jayson Blair Has Bipolar Disorder

Jayson Blair scandalized the journalism world by copying and fabricating dozens of news stories when he worked at the New York Times. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Viewing his actions in terms of a bipolar profile helps make his behavior more understandable.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline (brand names Elavil, Endep and others), nortriptyline (brand names Pamelor and Aventyl) and several others. This article covers how tricyclic antidepressants work, allergies, pregnancy and breast-feeding, side effects common to the medication family, and interactions with drugs and alcohol.

Effexor and Effexor XR (Venlafaxine)

Information about Effexor (venlafaxine), an antidepressant used especially for treatment-resistant depression and also for long-term anxiety. Effexor is also sold in an extended-release version, Effexor XR.

List and Types of Depression Medications

Depression medication types are mostly named for the way they work, with a couple of exceptions. There are also some drugs not classed as antidepressants that still help to alleviate depression, but they aren't widely used to treat pure depression. Many of those drugs are used in treating bipolar depression. This article lists the various types of depression medications and the drugs that are included in each type.

Depression Medication

Depression medication is often needed by people who suffer from both chronic or clinical depression, bipolar depression, and people who have gone through something that has made them seriously depressed, even though they don't generally experience depression. Here is a wealth of information about depression medication.

Serax - Oxazepam - Anti-Anxiety Drug

A summary of information about the anti-anxiety medication Serax - generic oxazepam - a benzodiazepine shown to be safer than some related drugs.

Serax Side Effects (Oxazepam)

Catalogue of Serax side effects. Serax or oxazepam (generic) is an anti-anxiety medication that can be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and many other mental illnesses including anxiety disorders. Serax side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, sexual problems and many more.

Paxil Side Effects - Paroxetine

Catalogue of Paxil side effects. Paxil - generic Paroxetine - which is an SSRI medication sometimes prescribed in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Paxil side effects include headache, sexual problems and many more.[p]

Quick Facts About Ativan (Lorazepam)

Ativan, generic lorazepam,is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family. Ativan is approved to be prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, or for anxiety associated with depression. This article covers what Ativan is used for, warnings associated with the drug, major side effects, drug interactions, pregnancy and nursing, and withdrawal symptoms.

Anxiety Attacks and Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety attacks or panic attacks are common in people who have bipolar disorder. Many with bipolar disorder also suffer from one or more anxiety or panic disorders. Here is an overview of the various types of anxiety attacks and panic disorders that may affect those who have bipolar disorder.

Your Child & Medication for Bipolar Disorder

A list of questions to consider and to discuss with your child's doctor in weighing the pros and cons of using medications in your child's treatment for bipolar disorder.

Quick Facts About Depakote

Depakote - generic divalproex sodium or sodium valproate - is an anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) medication used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Here are some important facts about Depakote.