Treatment

Katie's temper tantrums and emotional outbursts became uncontrollable when she was 5 years old. After diagnosing her with Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), doctors placed her on risperidone, an antipsychotic drug used to treat irritability and aggression in autistic children.  Read More

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, affects about six million American adults, or nearly 3% of the adult population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Many patients who eventually get diagnosed spend years, even decades.  Read More

From diet and exercise to travel tips, here are various strategies to keep bipolar disorder under control.  View slideshow

While medication remains the bedrock treatment for bipolar disorder, a few different types of psychotherapy have been modified especially for people with this condition. The therapies that have been tested include helping patients work on family coping and relationships; learn to understand and reorder their own distorted thinking; and develop strategies for managing mood swings.  Read More

I think the hardest job in the world is being a stay-at-home mom with bipolar disorder. I’m 34 and married, and I have two girls, ages 2 and 5. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder on October 2, 2006, while pregnant with the second baby.  Read More