Bipolar Disorder

THE cleverest children in school are also those most likely to suffer a serious mental illness as adults, research reveals.
Scientists found that straight-A students were four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than children with average grades.

Previous research and anecdotal evidence from famous and creative individuals have suggested a link between high IQ and bipolar disorder.

Stephen Fry is encouraging people with bipolar disorder to take part in a university's research into how genes can contribute to the illness.

The actor, author and presenter has taken part in Cardiff University's study, along with TV personality Kerry Katona.

Researchers need to double the number of the 3,000 volunteers who have so far donated DNA samples for analysis.

Fry said volunteers would help "remove stigma, shame and hidden pain".

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The willingness of high-profile sufferers of bipolar disorder, such as Stephen Fry, to talk about their condition has led to more people diagnosing themselves with the illness, researchers claimed yesterday.
Bipolar disorder, which was previously known as manic depression, affects moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. Writing in the Psychiatrist, Dr Diana Chan and Dr Lester Sireling, who work in London, say the increase in self-diagnosis

For the first time in San Diego County, some mentally ill criminals will be diverted from jail to a closely supervised treatment program.

Assistant Presiding Judge Robert Trentacosta oversees the fledgling Behavioral Health Court in San Diego, and participants must report to him in person every month.

Trentacosta said the court is a compassionate response to a population whose mental illness drives their criminal life.

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A widely-used screening tool for bipolar disorder may incorrectly indicate borderline personality disorder rather than bipolar disorder. Researchers question the effectiveness of the Mood Disorder ... Read the Full Story

When we or a loved one seeks treatment for mental illness, the treating professional provides a diagnosis and treatment (hopefully!). The diagnosis comes from a very important manual known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is periodically revised by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to reflect current research and knowledge.

BY LYNN VENHAUS - For the News-Democrat

Sparks ignite and catch fire as Oscar nominees Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren portray Russian author Leo Tolstoy and Sofya, his bipolar wife of 48 years, during a rocky patch before his death at age 82.

The verbal dexterity so nimbly displayed by the two British greats elevates "The Last Station" from a literary-based soap opera as sudsy as a contemporary "Dynasty."

by Michael Woodhead

Patients with bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder have a poorer prognosis if they are smokers, a prospective two year Melbourne study has shown.

Regular smokers had significantly worse outcomes in terms of bipolar and depression scores compared to non smokers and were also more likely to have longer hospital stays, the study of 240 patients from the Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre found.

February 10, 2010 NPR reports on children's health and medical news including health insurance, new treatments for diseases, and child product safety recalls.

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In honor of Black History Month, we present three black singers who live with bipolar disorder. Rapper DMX has had significant successes along with problems. Country-western singer Charley Pride is another who has had a successful career. Bobby Brown, on the other hand, has had more difficulty than success.

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