Articles Index
Antifungal Drugs and Psychiatric Medications
If you have a fungus problem such as athlete's foot, a vaginal infection, or jock itch, you'll probably be using an antifungal agent to treat it. There are also prescription drugs taken orally to treat conditions like thrush and other yeast infections. It's important to know that some antidepressants and antipsychotics in particular can react badly to medications that treat fungus.
What Is a Major Depressive Episode?
Major depressive episodes must be present to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, along with either manic or a hypomanic episodes. A group of symptoms such as low mood, sadness, fatigue, insomnia and indecision must be present to confirm the diagnosis.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Textbook definitions of bipolar disorder may not be very enlightening. Here we begin our definition of manic depression in easy to understand language.
The "Kindling" Model in Bipolar Disorder
Can lack of treatment for bipolar disorder cause rapid cycling? Can stress lead a person at risk for manic depression into spontaneous mania or depression? The theory of kindling says yes.
Marcia's South Beach Diet Diary - Week 1
Over the years I have gained a great deal of weight due to medications for depression and bipolar disorder. I tried the South Beach Diet this summer, but surgery last month threw me off. Now I am starting over again with Phase 1.
Spalding Gray: Suicide
Author and Actor Spalding Gray disappeared January 10, 2004, and his body was pulled from the East River in New York on March 7, 2004. Suffering from bipolar disorder, Gray undoubtedly committed suicide. His family has gone through a waking nightmare. Don't put your own family through this kind of hell!
Maurice Benard - Actor
Maurice Benard, who plays Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, has spoken openly about having bipolar disorder for many years and acts as a spokesman for two major mental health organizations. Breakdowns, medication compliance and anxiety attacks are just some of the things he has taken into the public eye.
Rosemary Clooney - Singer
Singer Rosemary Clooney was profoundly affected by the bipolar disorder that interrupted her career in the late 1960s.
Sting (Gordon Sumner) - Actor, Musician
Sting, who was born Gordon Sumner on October 2, 1951, is being called bipolar on the internet - but is there enough evidence?
Mary Kay Letourneau - The Questions Remain
Review, questions and commentary regarding convicted child rapist Mary Kay Letourneau.
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.
Suit: Neurontin Marketed Illegally for Bipolar Disorder
Not only does the lawsuit allege that Parke-Davis marketed Neurontin to physicians without FDA approval - but research studies say Neurontin is not effective for bipolar disorder after all.
Bipolar Disorder and the South Beach Diet - Why?
I was asked what difference the South Beach Diet makes in bipolar disorder. The answer has to do more with medication side effects than with mood - especially the weight gain side effects of mood stabilizers and antidepressants.
Marcia's South Beach Diary - Week 2
My first week restarting Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet was characterized by many battles with bad eating habits. I'm hoping to do better this week.
Half a Lexapro Is Better Than None
After switching from Celexa to Lexapro I experienced mixed mania with severe agitation and back pain. This follow-up article is made up of journal entries from the week after the doctor cut the Lexapro dosage in half.
Lexapro and Go Go GO!
Switching from Celexa to Lexapro has brought on a mixed episode that is not over yet - the latest installment in an online journal that began when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Lose Weight - That's an Order!
My blood pressure is up. I am not losing any weight. Exercise doesn't help. My doctors and I are making medication changes and I am finally going on a diet. From the 'I'm Bipolar' series.
Brain Fog - A Letter to Joey
In 'Letter to Joey,' the author of the 'I'm Bipolar' series talks about the worries of living with her elderly mother and how months of struggling to complete routine tasks and projects that should have been enjoyable led her to realize she was suffering from bad side effects from Topamax.
Bah, Humbug!
Seasonal Affective Disorder plus December holidays can equal disaster!
Conference on Bipolar Children - Overview
Report on the second annual Conference, where the speakers included Demitri and Janice Papolos and George Lynn.
Redefining Childhood Bipolar Disorder
Speaking at the Ohadi Conference in Chicago, Dr. Papolos explained the need for changes in the official diagnostic criteria for childhood onset bipolar disorder.
Report of the Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health
On January 3, 2000, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services released a report on this Conference. How well does it do in addressing the needs of children with mental illnesses?
Starting Over
I feel shocked and numb since the latest blow to my hopes of losing weight. I want to go back in time to a point before I gained all this weight, but I can't do that. So now - trash my meds?
When Family Doesn't Listen, Maybe They Can't Listen
It happens over and over again to people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. You tell your family what's happening, how you feel, and the next thing you know they are changing the subject or giving some noncommittal answer, and you are just furious. It is possible they don't care or don't believe you, but more likely, they just don't know what to say.
CA Mental Health Parity Bill Passes
California Mental Health Parity Bill passes - but California lawmaker Howard Kaloogian did his best to perpetuate the stigma of mental illness and urged denial of health care to the mentally ill.