I hope you took some time to read some of what these pages contain before you came to the links page, but if you didn't this time, come again and take your time as you can. On this page you'll find many outstanding internet sites with information relevant to those who suffer from (and those who live with someone who suffers from) bipolar/manic depressive disorder. Sections here correspond to related sections found in the contents and throughout the site. Please email me if you've a site to add or know of a good one not listed here.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link...

General Information

Symptoms & Diagnosis:

1. Is there a biochemical test that accurately diagnoses bipolar disorder? -- From the Scientific American website's "Ask the Expert" column comes this answer.
   
   
2. The Merck Manual If you need information on diagnosis and therapy, this is a terrific resource-very highly recommended.
   
   
3. Pendulum Resources: Physically located in the USA, most information is relevant to bipolars in general--highly recommended.
   
   
4. Wing of Madness: Manic-Depression (Bipolar) Resources: Contains much general information such as the distinctions between bipolar I and II.--Decent site.
   
   
5. moodswing.org: A top notch online resource guide for folks with bipolar disorder--recommended.
   
   
6. Bipolar Disorder: On the Edge of DSM-IV Here you will find a discussion by Jan Fawcett, MD concerning the current tightening up of diagnoses for the various forms of bipolar disorder and the the subsequent need to still adequately treat patients who fall outside the strict interpretation of the DSM IV guidelines. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free).
   
   
7. DSM-IV Lite: From the Medical College of Georgia and Care Solutions, Inc. This is the most current criterion for diagnosing bipolar disorder, but in an abbreviated and simplified format.
   
   
8. All About Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder) -- There are many different articles about this disorder in this one file. For example: "Recent Developments in Clinical Aspects of Bipolar Disorder" by Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D.; "FDA Approves Valproate for the Treatment of Acute Mania"; "American Psychiatric Association's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder"; "Recent Developments in the Genetics of Bipolar Disorder" by J. Raymond DePaulo, Jr., M.D.; "Social Security and Bipolar Disorder".
   
   
9. ICD-10 - European Description Unlike the DSM IV, the ICD-10 from thw World Health Organizationgives a rather thorough explanation of the diagnostic criteria for the various categories of depression, mania, hypomania etc. Highly Recommended
   
   
10. FAQ About Bipolar Disorder: This is an invaluable resource containing the DSM-IV as a basis for definition and explanation of diagnosis criteria. Highly recommended.
    
    
11. HealthGuide: Bipolar Disorder -- This is a large site that provides information on many kinds of disorders besides bipolar disorder. It's comprehensive in its coverage of subjects important to those who suffer from this illness and for family and friends as well. Nice site - go see
    
    
12. Dr. Ivan's Depression Central: There is a goldmine of information throughout this wonderful site. Though the site's name says depression only, don't be put off if you are interested in learning more about bipolar disorder, for it's to be found here as well.--Very highly recommended!
    
    
13. Cyclothymia - From the HealthGuide site comes this nice, simplistic explanation of cyclothymia.
    
    
14. The Collected Writing's of Dr. Ivan Goldberg -- What can I say that hasn't been said already about the wonderful Dr. Ivan? Here are a number of his highly informative articles.
    
    
15. Goldberg Mania Quiz: The beloved Dr. Ivan's mania detection scale. Very useful!
    
    
16. A Rating Scale for Mania -- Another mania quiz of sorts; this one is not the same as Dr. Ivan's above.
    
    
17. Will I Go Crazy? This is a most unique site with a very nice feel to it. I particularly appreciate the BP website comparison chart provided by the author. Definitely worth your time to visit this resource
    
    
18. Mood Diagnosis Software: A downloadable program that is provided free for DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 users. Haven't downloaded this yet, but it looks useful in that it diagnoses the many kinds of bipolar disorder, such as rapid cycling, mixed etc.
    
    
19. Research Re: Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder -- From the same wonderful site as above comes this list of research abstracts on bipolar disorder. This is an abstracts only list, but you should be able to find most of the articles in a good library.
    
    
20. SAD-Seasonal Affective Disorder (c.1997) -- A wonderfully helpful article by Mary Jacobs offering information and tips for dealing with depression as well as sources from which to order light-therapy implements Highly recommended.
    
    
21. Psych Central: Dr. John Grohol's Mental Health pages are a great all-around place to look for bipolar-related information. Highly recommended.
    
    
22. Institute of Psychiatry -- This is an incredible site in the UK and definitely worth the time. Highly recommended!
    
    
23. Groningen Department of Social Psychiatry -- "The department is one of the Research Centers of the Groningen Faculty of Medicine. Furthermore it is part of the Groningen Institute for Behavioral, Cognitive and Neurosciences (BCN) and one of the Collaborating Research Centers of the World Health Organization (WHO)" (quoted from their site) You can review current research here and even interact with the researchers themselves.
    
    
24. The Stanley Center for the Innovative Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: You can find the Bipolar Registry here as well as information from The Second Annual Conference on Bipolar Disorder. A quick note to the reader: Though there are 3 Stanley Ctr. links here, they all go to different subject matter and I've tried to make it as easy for you to find critical information as quickly as possible.A good site that seems to be steadily growing.
    
    
25. Stanley Collection of Published Materials About Bipolar Disorder -- This one's great! Don't miss it! A good *beginner* researcher's collection.
    
    
26. The Stanley Center - Dean Foundation -- Collection of published materials on affective disorders.