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Bipolar Disorder

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. [More]

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Resource Organizations » Bipolar Disorder

8 listing(s), including 1 offering support groups

In Massachusetts

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston (DBSA-Boston)

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

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

Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention

The Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention was organized in 2006 as a community response to the deaths by suicide of four young people over the previous eighteen-month period. It is a broad-based coalition reaching out to the town's diverse constituencies across the age continuum. NEEDHAM ACTS is the Coalition's website. It offers information for all ages on how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and connect with a variety of local services to prevent suicide.

Needham Health Department

The Needham Health Department offers a range of mental health services for citizens of the town. Public Health Nurses provide confidential counseling and referrals to all ages. Short-term home-based services for at-risk teenagers and their families are provided through Riverside Community Care's Alternative Youth Services program. The program includes family counseling, advocacy, information, and referral. Call the Health Department for more information on these free services. The town's Substance Abuse Prevention and Education program provides informational programs, educational resources, and confidential substance abuse support services for Needham youth, adults, and seniors. Contact Carol Read at the Health Department to find out more about inpatient and outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, and peer support resources regarding substance abuse, addiction and chemical dependency.

Needham Youth Services

This is a town-funded department which provides professional and confidential mental health services to youth and their families in Needham. It offers support, information, and direction on issues such as peer relationships, stress, grief and loss, substance use, suicide, and other concerns. Most services are free of charge. The department collaborates regularly with civic and community organizations on a variety of projects.

S.T.E.P. Up 4 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

Outside Massachusetts

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

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.

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression

NARSAD supports research into the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The NARSAD website 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

• Helping Children and Youth With Bipolar Disorder: Systems of Care, from SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center.
• New York Times Health Guides:
  • What to Ask About Bipolar Disorder
  • Expert Q & A: Diagnosing Mood Disorders in a New Generation

Publications

List of books, articles and other publications on Bipolar Disorder.

36th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week, September 5th - 11th, 2010. See Families, Community Systems and Suicide, from the American Association of Suicidology.

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The work of Project INTERFACE is supported in part by the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP).