Here, in this place--in your place--to be a "follower" is a sign of strength. Follow then, and learn, for you've nothing to lose except confusion.

Bipolar & Depression Reading Lists, Books, Tapes, Software and CD's

1. Mood Monitor® Software -- You can download this sotware from Workhorse Technologies and use it free for 30 days. After thirty days you must register and pay US $49.95 for it. I have downloaded it, but haven't used this yet. However, it looks like a great program for keeping track of moods and meds.
   
   
2. Mood Disorder Diagnostic Program -- This program can be downloaded for free! (and it stays that way...he he) Everything you need to know about how to download the program and how to install it is available here on Dr. Phillip W. Long's Internet Mental Health site. Thanks Dr. Long!
   
   
3. The alt.depression newsgroup list: A fairly comprehensive list covering both bipolar and depressive illness. Books include diagnostic tools, family advice, personal accounts of dealing with the illness etc.
   
   
4. Living With Depression and Manic-Depression -- A Tape by Mary Ellen Copeland, author of the very well-regarded Depression Workbook.
   
   
5. The Pendulum Bipolar List: A well done list on bipolar illness only. One of Pendy's many fine resources, you can also find lists on depression, anxiety, ADD, and others at this site.
   
   
6. Pendulum's Books For Families List -- Good variety of books (some which appear here already), often with accompanying synopses.
   
   
7. Grohol's Booklist: An adequate list.
   
   
8. Moodswing.org's booklist and order form: A great place to find and order literature relevant to those seeking information on mood disorders.
   
   
9. Berger, Diane and Lisa, We Heard the Angels of Madness: One Family's Struggle with Manic Depression. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991.
   
   
10. The Bipolar Puzzle - By Brian Court and coauthor Gerald E. Nelson, M.D., - Brian is bipolar and has written this book in conjunction with his psychiatrist. I haven't reviewed the book, but it certainly sounds interesting.
    
    
11. Jamison, Dr. Kay Redfield An Unquiet Mind. I strongly recommend this book. Dr. Jamison is an expert on manic-depression and is also a victim of the same. Her success as a physician and a survivor of bipolar disorder offer tremendous inspiration to others.Very highly recommended!
    
    
    
12. A Leading Expert on Manic Depression Reveals How She Overcame Its Demons -- An interview by Pam Janis of the Detroit News with Dr. Kay Jamison. Also includes an excerpt from Dr. Jamison's book An Unquiet Mind.
    
    
13. Orum, Margot. Fairytales in Reality: My Victory Over Manic Depression Sydney: MacMillan Publishing Co. Australia, 1996 (ISBN 0-732-90839-6). A warm, sometimes heartrending, story of a brave and successful Australian's fight with bipolar disorder. Recommended.
    

Types of Treatment and Treatment-Related Concerns

1. Therapy FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) -- Written by Melissa Miles, a former therapy client, this data is helpful for those just beginning therapy. Covers such topics as how to choose a therapist right for you, and what client's rights in therapy are.
   
   
2. The Cost of Bipolar Disorder -- By Paul Keck, MD. The costs associated with misdiagnosis and undiagnosed bipolar disorder are staggering. Dr. Keck discusses some of the trends that affect the bipolar patient and society. Medscape Site Map -- Register here -- You must first register with Medscape before you can access the database. Registration is free.
   
   
3. Scientology - If you want to get really ticked off, just go here and see what kind of damaging misinformation this group distributes.
   
   
4. A Pharmacoeconomic Model of Divalproex vs Lithium in the Acute and Prophylactic Treatment of Bipolar Disorder -- Author: Paul E. Keck, Jr., MD does a comparative economic study between these two drugs. What may be of import to the bipolar consumer is the fact that the less expensive drug may be pushed over a more expensive, but less effective drug. Beware of this aspect of the healthcare business. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
   
   
5. Relapse During SSRI Treatment for Depression -- Joseph F. Goldberg, MD. and James H. Kocsis, MD, Many bipolars have experienced the terrible realisation that their tried and true antidepressant has ceased working for them. The tiring search for a new one to take its place is fraught with sadness, anger and frustration. Be sure you read this article, especially if you suffer mixed states and/or rapid-cycling. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
   
   
6. Bipolar Disorder: Outcome and Treatment Effects -- From the Harvard Mental Health Letter, this is a nice, concise synopsis of one form of preferred treatment.
   
   
7. New Developments In The Medical Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder -- A Report on a presentation By Susan L. McElroy, M.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Biological Psychiatry Program, University of Cincinnati Medical School. This short piece is based on a presentation made at the Mood Disorders Research/Education Symposium, April 26, 1994.
   
   
8. Lamotrigine in Treatment-Refractory Bipolar Disorder -- By Robert M. Smith, MD. Hope for those of us who have had great difficulty in finding a drug or drugs that will supply the magic potion that provides stability. Medscape Site Map -- Register here -- You must first register with Medscape before you can access the database. Registration is free.
   
   
9. Cost of Switching from Neuroleptics to Risperidone and Clozapine: A Pilot Study of the San Diego County Mental Health Services -- Author: David Thompson, discusses the differences in both cost and efficacy of these relatively new, but very effective and basicly side-effect free, neuroleptics often used to treat schizophrenia and manic-depression. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
   
   
10. Treatment of Bipolar Disorder An expert medical panel offers treatment guidelines for every aspect of bipolar disorder. Excellent!
    
    
11. Centerwatch Clinical Trials Listing: These folks provide an excellent free service you may subscribe to whereby they mail you clinical updates concerning new research and treatments in your area of interest. As a diagnosed bipolar, you will find you can participate in these studies and thus, will receive some healthcare and medications free.
    
    
12. Drug Holiday May Improve Sex Life: The taking of some antidpressants results in side effects involving various sexual dysfunctions. For example, Aropax/Paxil/parox- etine frequently results in anorgasmia (difficulty or inability to reach orgasm) for women. Drug holidays are just one method for treating some of these troublesome, private problems. For answers to other questions regarding psychotropic drugs and sexual performance, sneak over to the MHI's Ask the Expert site.
    
    
13. Dual Diagnosis: Substance Abuse And Mental Illness - By Agnes B. Hatfield, Ph.D. An excellent article on the thorny problems surrounding treatment of the chemically-dependent mentally ill person.
    
    
14. When Lithium Fails -- The Harvard Mental Health Letter, January 1991 - Most people think of lithium as the typical firstline defense against mania, but the statistics in this article say otherwise. A very interesting read and worth the time to check it out.
    
    
15. Electroconvulsive Therapy-ECT -- From the Depression Central site--many links dealing with this form of therapy.
    
    
16. Choosing the Appropriate Therapy for Bipolar Disorder -- Author: Charles L. Bowden, MD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioThis is a very technical article and I wouldn't recommend you trying it until you are quite familiar with some of the typical treatment/drug jargon you'll encounter as you continue your research. Medscape Site Map -- Register here -- You must first register with Medscape before you can access the database. Registration is free.
    
    
17. TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation - This is rather exciting research as it may spell a safe alternative to ECT.
    
    
18. Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease) -- I include information on thyroid disease as a treatment concern simply because so many (especially women) are prone to it, and it mimics a ton of drug side-effects as well as causing depression.
    
    
19. Thyroid LISTSERV Discussion Group and Newsgroup -- This is the website for a good listserv that focuses on thyroid disease. Recommended.
    
    
20. Does Psychotherapy Work In Depression? -- A good discussion of the question as to whether talk-therapy has any real value for patients.
    
    
21. The Psychology of Medication Treatment -- By David M. Goldstein, M.D. Director, Mood Disorders Program - Georgetown University Medical Center. Dr. Goldstein provides a very good discussion on the increasing role that psychopharmacology plays in the treatment of illnesses like bipolar disorder. Highly recommended.
    
    
22. Antidepressants: One of Many Drug Classes Used in Suicide Attempts -- A very interesting article dealing with the issue of drug toxicity and use of antidepressants as suicide agents. Findings indicate subtherapeutic dosing using tricyclics may increase the likelihood of successful suicide. SSRIs are the least likely drug to cause death in event of intentional overdose. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
    
    
23. NIMH, JAMA Shed Light On Seasonal Affective Disorder -- By Roger Johnson, Ph.D. and Sandra Somers - this is an excellent discussion of the use of light therapy in the treatment of SAD.
    
    
24. Depression in the Elderly -- Often we fail to notice and understand the elderly person who experiences depression, but this is a serious error of judgement when the elderly can be as easily treated for this illness as anyone else. A short, non-technical article. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).