What is a good website to find ways to help a person with Bipolar disorder?

6 Responses to “What is a good website to find ways to help a person with Bipolar disorder?”

1. Matt says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   http://www.managingbipolar.com

   This should help.
2. Pastor says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   if you go to http://www.healingwell.com they have forums where you can discuss these things and a lot of people who have long histories with all kinds of disorders, they can also direct you to more resources. Good luck.
3. J G says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   http://www.bipolarsupport.org There are a lot of resources and forum there. It is aimed more to be for people with bipolar, but many partners of people with bipolar are there as well.
4. Ms Kitty says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   http://www.dailystrength.org has a group specifically for family members of those with Bipolar.
5. Liz B says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   Hi,
   Look at http://www.recoveryin-sight.com, This is a social enterprise which runs courses in hertfordshire, particularly aimed at those with a bipolar diagnosis and their carers. In addition there is other help and information on the site.
   I am the carer of someone with bipolar disorder and I know how you feel. If you happen to live in the area, I thoroughly recommend the course, It helped me a lot.
6. Trevor says:

   December 20, 2009 at 11:57 pm

   See section 10, on bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don’t diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.

   Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it. More about this on page R, in section 2.

   If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren’t good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as Lamictal, or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium" at http://www.drugs.com/ and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, there, and at http://www.rxlist.com/ & http://www.askapatient.com/ (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. Personally, if I wasn’t bipolar type 1, and didn’t experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I’d first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John’s wort, and also antidepressants, may trigger mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. Eat more in accordance with your "nutritional type":- ( 20 question quiz http://www.naturalhealthcoach.com/tools ) or enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ (book).

   If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening. If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication will probably be required. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren’t troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states). There are various types, and degrees of severity with bipolar disorder, and although many people with the milder versions can get by without medication, using the alternative treatments, those whose disorder is more serious, really would benefit from taking it.

   Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at: http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John’s wort!). As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them, with their attendant risks, and side effects. Don’t use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime. It is not unknown for those discontinuing medication, and trying the alternative treatments, (which are not quick to work) to lose their jobs, because of unacceptable behavio(u)r, so I’d start 1 week before vacation, and closely monitor the situation, and use medical advice. Now is not the time to be losing your job! ~~~~ Many bipolars enjoy the mania/hypomania too much to risk losing it by taking mood stabilisers; others don’t like the side effects, so it’s advisable to find out what treatment is being used, (if any) so you have a better idea of where you stand. See the BIPOLAR SUPPORTER website, on how to treat bipolars.