Bipolar Disorder

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by Aziz Nashef, MA, Doctoral Candidate at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology

Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as Manic Depression, is a type of mood disorder that extends beyond the normal ups and downs of life. It is a serious medical condition and an important health concern in the United States. It is characterized by a clearly defined period whereby there is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. This period must persist for at least one week and is called a manic episode, or mania. When mania occurs, it is often, although not always, followed by a depressive episode involving classic depressive symptoms.

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Resource Organizations » Bipolar Disorder

7 listing(s), including 1 offering support groups

In Southern Berkshire County

Gould Farm

www.gouldfarm.org
100 Gould Rd.
Monterey, MA  01245
413-528-1804
Gould Farm is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental illness move toward recovery, health and greater independence through community living, meaningful work and individual clinical care.
In a supportive community environment made up of residents, staff and their families, we help adults with depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia begin to rebuild and regain their lives. Gould Farm offers a full continuum of care, with a Boston-area program for those ready for new challenges and structured transition.

In Massachusetts

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston (DBSA-Boston)

www.dbsaboston.org
Offers support group(s)
P.O. Box 102
115 Mill Street
Belmont, MA  02478
617-855-2795 x phone
617-855-3666 x fax
DBSA-Boston (formerly known as MDDA-Boston) is a resource for people with affective disorders - and their families and friends. Affective disorders such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and clinical depression affect millions of people every year. Coping with these disorders is difficult enough, but coping alone can be even tougher.
DBSA-Boston (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) is a nonprofit, self-help organization run by and for people with affective disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. DBSA members come together to share support and information with others in similar situations.

McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web

www.mcmanweb.com
Award-winning mental health journalist, John McManamy provides excellents resources to learn about depression and bipolar and to learn about treatment and recovery.

S.T.E.P. Up 4 Kids

stepup4kids.com
435 Furnace Street
Marshfield, MA  02050
781-545-9909
866-992-KIDS
S.T.E.P. Up 4 Kids is a nonprofit charitable foundation committed to supporting children and teens with early-onset bipolar disorder, depression and related spectrum disorders. The organization's fundamental objective is to provide reliable resources to parents, teachers, medical professionals and counselors to be best equipped to advocate for children with these disorders. Founded by Kelley Kupfer, a registered nurse and parent of a bipolar child, and Mary Ann McDonnell, APRN, BC, a nationally-recognized researcher and nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric psychopharmacology and behavioral therapy, S.T.E.P. Up 4 Kid's mission is inherent in the name, to:
Support Teach Educate Prevent

The National Alliance on Mental Illness

www.namimass.org
400 West Cummings Park
Suite 6650
Woburn, MA  01801
781-938-4048
Toll Free: 800-370-9085
Fax: 781-938-4069
The National Alliance on Mental Illness maintains a helpline for informaion on mental illnesses and referrals to local groups. The local self-help groups have support and adocacy components and offer education and information about community services for families and individuals. For information about the Alliance's affiliates and activities in MA, contact NAMI Massachusetts.

Outside Massachusetts

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

www.bpkids.org
820 Davis St,
Suite 520
Evanston, IL  60201
847-492-8519
The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, pediatric bipolar disorder.

The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

bbrfoundation.org/
60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404
Great Neck, NY  11021
800-829-8289
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression) is committed to alleviating the suffering of mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. The BBR Foundation offers news on the research it funds as well as information (documents and videos) about these and other disorders in children and adults. It also provides guidance and resources for families coping with a child or parent with mental illness.

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Additional Sources of Information

Disclaimer: Material on the Project INTERFACE web site is intended as general information. It is not a recommendation for treatment, nor should it be considered medical or mental health advice. Project INTERFACE urges families to discuss all information and questions related to medical or mental health care with a health care professional.