Bipolar and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

With the sunlight-scarce months of autumn and winter fast approaching, many bipolar patients are ramping up the dosage on their depression medications. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects many manic depressives, and with the added stress of the holidays during winter months, depression is certainly something to be on the lookout for. But antidepressants also pose a risk to those with bipolar disorder; too high a dose can fuel a blast off into mania. How can patients manage these seasonal fluctuations in mood?

To learn more about the latest research on the relationship between SAD and bipolar disorder, see the new article "Tips for Managing Seasonal Depression in Those with Bipolar Disorder"

Mooday

Still doing well. I would like, while feeling stable, to try and do a better job managing my additive behavior. The drinking has got to decrease, although, when it comes down to it, I'm not very motivated. Wine every evening. Headache every morning. If any of you have done well managing your addictions, let me know how you did it. Lets start a conversation under the blog entry "Bipolar Disorder and Addiction."

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.

Genetics of Bipolar Disorder: Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary?

There have recently been huge gains in our understanding of the genetics behind development of bipolar disorder. Since 2003, when the Human Genome Project sequenced all of the DNA in the human genome, it is now possible to compare the DNA of those with bipolar disorder to the DNA of those who do not suffer from a mood disorder. The discoveries are just beginning, but perhaps soon we will understand everything about the genetics that contribute to bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

See "Genetics of Bipolar Disorder: A Hereditary Mental Illness?" for a brand new article summarizing some of the latest discoveries.

Mooday

Still doing well. Fighting with my husband. I'm not that easy to get along with. Need to work on my communication. Writing is one thing, but actually talking...that can be hard. Still, my mood is pretty stable and well balanced.

Mood-ie-meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a human mental health professional, not a computer.