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Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as Manic Depression,
is a highly disruptive brain disorder.
Since 1994 Pendulum.org has been the web's premier resource
for bipolar information.
The Pendulum Discussion Forums are better than ever.
Come in and chat with new friends in the
updated Bipolar section,
or visit the expanded section for friends and family.
Bipolar Disorder News (click here for news archives)
New Medications Coming - September 16, 2008
Most new drugs that are used in treatment for schizophrenia have also been found to be helpful in bipolar disorder, and have been approved for use in treatment of bipolar disorder. Wired magazine writes about a series of new drugs that are in the research phase and may (if they prove effective) eventually be used in treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Read the story: Angel Dust Inspired a new Schizophrenia Drug
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Posted by szadmin at 10:41 AM
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Interesting Interview with Brain Scientist Nancy Andreasen - September 16, 2008
There is a fascinating interview with Nancy Andreasen, a leading brain researcher, in today's New York Times. In the interview she discusses her research she's been doing for the past 18 years and which is not yet published. Much of her research is related to schizophrenia, but because schizophrenia is thought to have a lot of genetic overlap with bipolar disorder - her research may also be relevant to bipolar disorder. In it she notes "The big finding is that people with schizophrenia are losing brain tissue at a more rapid rate than healthy people of comparable age. Some are
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Posted by szadmin at 10:36 AM
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McCain and Obama Health-care Plans Analyzed - September 16, 2008
This morning the Wall Street Journal covers the recent analysis of the health-care proposals of the McCain and Obama campaigns. Health-care coverage is, of course, a huge issue for families where a child or spouse has bipolar disorder and all the associated high costs of in and out-patient treatment. Many people who have bipolar disorder have a difficult time maintaining consistent employment so may not have employer health insurance benefits on an ongoing basis. For this reason, we recommend you study the proposals of each of the candidates closely. The WSJ notes: "Republican presidential candidate John McCain's health-care plan would
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Posted by szadmin at 8:30 AM
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NIMH study suggests that Newer Antipsychotics No Better Than Older Drug for Treating Child and Adolescents - September 15, 2008
A new study by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that two newer atypical antipsychotic medications were no more effective than an older conventional antipsychotic in treating child and adolescent schizophrenia and may lead to more metabolic side effects. While this study focuses on the use of the medications in youth diagnosed with schizophrenia - frequently these same medications (Risperdal and Zyprexa) are also used in the treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder. “Schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related disorders are rare in childhood. But when they do occur, those afflicted generally have more severe symptoms and a worse prognosis than those who
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Posted by szadmin at 2:17 PM
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Childhood Bipolar Disorder Covered in NY Times - September 15, 2008
There is a good story that starts with one family's experience with childhood bipolar disorder in this week's New York Times magazine. The story chronicles the early life of "James" as he develops the disorder and eventually gets treatment. Using that personal story as a background, the author then digs into the current controversies around the disorder and other families stories. Describing the issue that is around the exact frequency of bipolar disorder in children, the author notes: "A study last fall measured a fortyfold increase in the number of doctor visits between 1994 and 2003 by children and adolescents
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Posted by szadmin at 1:22 PM
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Children of Older Fathers at Higher Risk for Bipolar Disorder - September 3, 2008
Research over the past decade has clearly shown that children of older fathers have a higher risk for schizophrenia because their sperm is more likely to have damaged DNA in them due to the ravages of time. Now new research has identified the same risk for bipolar disorder - a disorder that is believed to be genetically and environmentally close to schizophrenia. A new study by researchers at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institute suggested that older age among fathers is associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring,. Bipolar disorder is a common, severe mood disorder
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Posted by szadmin at 12:25 PM
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New Book on Treating Bipolar Disorder in Old Age - January 11, 2008
Two lead researchers in the area of geriatric bipolar disorder have written a book: Bipolar Disorder in Later Life, which is meant to help treat the increasing numbers of people afflicted with bipolar disorder in old age. The goal of the authors Martha Sajatovic from Case Western Reserve University and Frederic Blow from the University of Michigan, is to inform clinicians treating elderly bipolar disorder patients about new research in the field. For the book, Sajatovic and Blow asked for the participation of their peers in the field and according to a new review have produced a "... comprehensive, cohesive,
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Posted by szwriter at 12:31 PM
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New Book: Soul: The Treasury of Anne-Patrice - December 13, 2007
We want to announce a short book of poems published recently by Vantage Press, Inc. The book titled, Soul: The Treasury of Anne-Patrice, consists of poetry written by author Anne-Patrice Whaley-Tandy. Whaley-Tandy suffers from bipolar disorder and though her poetry in this book focuses on spirituality, she covers other subjects as well, including poems about her psychiatrist, psychologist and children. Here are a few excerpts: Nancy, Psychiatrist Though I've known her just a year I come to her with no fear because her questions pertain to not just how are you mentally, but where your life is leading actually. .
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Posted by szwriter at 3:26 PM
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Bipolar Disorder Improves With Routine Sleep Patterns? - December 13, 2007
Researchers that sleep is connected to bipolar disorder. That is, past research has shown that bipolar patients have difficulty with sleep and often suffer from sleep-related problems. Now new research is showing that routine sleep schedules can actually be beneficial to the outcomes of bipolar disorder. A new study which appears in this month's issue of the journal, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ANCP), examined two groups of adult bipolar patients receiving different treatment therapies and found that the group of patients who participated in interpersonal and rhythm therapies--these therapies involved the patients monitoring their daily routines--had longer periods without mania
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Posted by szwriter at 1:56 PM
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Impaired Emotional Perception in Bipolar Patients - December 11, 2007
We recently covered a study which found that children suffering from bipolar disorder are more likely to misread facial expressions and experience certain moods such as irritability and excessive happiness. Now a new study, published in last month's issue of The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, finds that the adults suffering from bipolar disorder are also prone to impaired emotional perception. For the study, 19 patients suffering from bipolar disorder I and in remission were compared to 22 healthy individuals (both groups were matched for age, gender, education, etc.) . The participants were all given an Affective Prosody Test
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Posted by szwriter at 2:01 PM
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Book: Manic-Depressive Illness, 2nd Ed. - December 11, 2007
Goodwin, Frederick K. and Jamison, Kay Redfield. Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, USA. March 9, 2007 The long awaited Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression, Second Edition, by Frederick K. Goodwin and Kay Redfield Jamison is finally in stores. Technorati: manic+depression bipolar+disorder
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A New Study on the Effects of Pregnancy on Bipolar Disorder - December 5, 2007
A new study published in this month's issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, examined three groups of pregnant women suffering from bipolar disorder. The goal of the study was to examine the course of bipolar disorder during pregnancy. Past studies have demonstrated that mothers suffering from bipolar disorder are at an increased risk for relapse during the postpartum period, i.e., the period of time immediately following childbirth. This risk has been shown to be higher for women (suffering from bipolar disorder) who aren't on mood stabilizers while pregnant, as compared to women who are on mood stabilizers while pregnant.
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Posted by szwriter at 12:10 PM
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New Database to Help Specify Genes Linked to Bipolar Disorder - November 28, 2007
Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychiatry and the National Institute of Mental Health have teamed together to create a new, innovative and free database, which researchers are saying is going to increase their ability to pinpoint genes linked to bipolar disorder. The database, called The Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database, is revolutionary in its ability to offer "...detailed descriptions of symptoms and course of disease on more than 5,000 people with bipolar (disorder)..." Because DNA samples are available for this group, the database will let researchers correlate specific symptoms with sequences of genetic material. The new database...is meant to complement the
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Posted by szwriter at 11:52 AM
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New Study on Children With Bipolar Disorder & Their Response to Facial Expressions - November 27, 2007
As we've covered in the past, children with bipolar disorder often misread facial expressions. Now new research further supports this finding: Children with bipolar disorder respond differently to facial expressions than children without psychiatric disorders, according to a new study led by a Bradley Hospital researcher. These findings provide additional insight into the neurobiology of pediatric bipolar disorder. "Although we know a great deal clinically about bipolar disorder in kids, our understanding of its neurobiology is quite limited, making it difficult to design targeted treatments," said lead author Daniel P. Dickstein, M.D., director of the pediatric mood, imaging and neurodevelopment
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Posted by szwriter at 1:08 PM
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An Increased Risk for Suicide: Bipolar Disorder and a Family History of Suicide - November 15, 2007
A new study out of the UK shows that people who suffer from bipolar disorder and who also have a family history of suicide, may be at a higher risk for committing suicide themselves. Specifically, bipolar patients with a family history of suicide are three times more likely to attempt suicide than is the rest of the population. Yet this increased risk of suicide isn't concentrated around just bipolar patients. As Dr. Eduard Vieta, one of the study's authors states, a family history of suicide also increases the risk of suicide for people who suffer from other mental illnesses. He's
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Posted by szwriter at 12:10 PM
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Discussion: Research Findings on the Psychological Causes and Treatments of Bipolar Disorder - November 12, 2007
We've covered past research that demonstrates how high levels of certain kinds of expressed emotion have negative effects on the mental health of children. Recently, researchers at the University of Colorado discussed current research supporting this past research on bipolar disorder. A new story highlights their findings: Bipolar disorder is "a highly recurrent and debilitating illness." Research has demonstrated that certain types of expressed-emotion affect the development of bipolar disorder. Basically, certain negative attitudes in the home or from peers (such as critical ones, i.e., criticism) can increase not only the risk of developing bipolar disorder, but also the risk
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Posted by szwriter at 6:07 PM
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New Bipolar Disorder Studies at Stanford University - participants needed - November 7, 2007
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine (in Palo Alto, California) are seeking volunteers for several research studies on bipolar disorder, which affects more than 10 million American adults. The illness typically requires lifelong treatment, and researchers have been studying which medications are the most effective. "We're aiming to enhance the treatment of bipolar disorder by exploring agents with greater efficacy for mood symptoms and/or greater physical tolerability," said Terence Ketter, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and chief of the Bipolar Disorders Clinic, who is leading the studies. Participants in each study must be ages 18 to
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Posted by szadmin at 1:32 PM
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Bipolar Disorder and Attitudes Toward Having Children - November 7, 2007
A new study out of Australia which will appear in the journal Psychological Medicine has found that over a third of relatives of people with bipolar disorder are afraid to have children. The reason for their fear seems mainly to be stigma associated with the disorder. Despite a lower risk as compared to other genetic disorders, bipolar disorder aroused a more negative attitude from the 200 people who participated in the study, which was conducted at University of New South Wales. Even more surprising is that over half of the participants suffer from bipolar disorder themselves. Researchers state that studies
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Posted by szwriter at 1:23 PM
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Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Teens and Young Adults - November 2, 2007
Recently, we've covered stories on bipolar disorder in youth. With the rise in the number of teens diagnosed, it's important to know what signs to look for. But as the story which recently appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune points out, knowing the signs may not be enough. The problem is that many parents notice abnormal behavior in their children but chalk it up to an "adolescent or teenage phase" that will pass. And though this may be the case for most teens, for the best possible prognosis, those suffering from mental illness should be diagnosed and treated as soon
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Posted by szwriter at 11:15 AM
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Unipolar Depression and Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder - October 25, 2007
A new study brings to light the problem of incorrect or incomplete diagnosis for people afflicted with bipolar disorder. Patients receiving medication for depression or any mental dysfunction should consult the advice and guidance of a trained mental health professional. The study targeted 790 patients diagnosed with unipolar depression who had previously attended a GP practice in Darlington, Cleveland by sending them Mood Disorder Questionnaires (MDQ). Of the original 790, 278 patients returned the questionnaires and the results were that 24 percent had an episode of mania or mild mania. Subsequent assessment of the patients showed that half had bipolar
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Posted by szwriter at 11:09 AM
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Great News!
Sister Leslie has brought the Bipolar Planet out of the backwaters of the Web.
The site is at
www.bipolarplanet.com.
Writings, poetry, and artwork by the tragically untalented Sister Leslie
and her bipolar cohorts,
and Leslie's new blog,
Into the Void: Back off man, I'm co-creating my reality.
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Famous Bipolar People
