The Bipolar Disorder Workbook

Gateway Psychiatric Services is delighted to announce the release of our latest book, The Bipolar Disorder Workbook from Callisto Media. The Workbook is intended to be of use to those who are just beginning to think bipolar may be an issue for them as well as those who have been journeying with bipolar for a longer time. It is also useful for family members and others who want to be of help to someone with confirmed or suspected bipolar. Beginning with a section on definitions and an explanation of the diagnostic process, the workbook proceeds through a series of structured exercises that help the user gain understanding of the various possible diagnoses and treatment options. Focusing primarily on Bipolar II ... Read More

What is Biofeedback? – Nancy

Biofeedback is a stress management technique that uses devices that give you information about your body’s physiologic response to stress. The idea is to provide you with information that would ordinarily be outside of your conscious awareness, such as your body temperature, blood pressure, or heart rate.  Generally, there are three stages of biofeedback: Developing increased awareness of the body function through use of a device to monitor it Learning how to control it the body function Learning how to control the function without access to the feedback device In recent years, research has focused on Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which is a measure of how your pulse speeds up or slows down over time.  Traditionally, medical practitioners have measured ... Read More

At the Crossroads of Anxiety and Bipolar – Nancy

Anxiety and panic attacks are some of the “comorbidities” (concurrently occurring disorders) that folks with bipolar have to contend with.  Another concern is the complicated relationship between bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder. Social anxiety is often found in conjunction with bipolar.  Although many people think bipolar is characterized by the extraverted and friendly attitude often experienced during hypomanic episodes, the reality is that many people with bipolar also struggle with social anxiety.  Partly because of disruptions in social relationships that can often occur with bipolar, and partly perhaps due to a feeling of shame or stigma about mental illness, anxiety can be a significant burden.  Discussing your anxious feelings openly with a therapist, and other members of your support network ... Read More

Recognizing Depression – Nancy

Seems like recognizing depression ought to be easy, and that it’s so widespread that it can hardly be hidden, but the reality is that many people with major clinical depression are not diagnosed, or are given insufficient treatment to address the realities of their situation. Major depression is defined as an episode in which for at least two weeks one experiences depressive symptoms almost every day. These may include: • Feeling hopeless, empty, sad or “down” for most of the day. • Not feeling enjoyment of, or interest in, most activities, especially those that previously gave a sense of happiness or fulfillment. • Weight gain or loss: more than 5% of body weight without dieting, or significant change (increase or ... Read More

Diagnosis – Nancy

What does it mean to have a diagnosis of Bipolar I or II?  For some, finally getting a diagnosis can be a relief, as it was for Demi Lovato, whose story was shared in Moodsurfing a few weeks ago.  For others, not so much.  Mariah Carey was diagnosed with bipolar back in 2011, but she says “I didn’t want to believe it”.  Only after several more years of denial did she seek out proper treatment options. Surprisingly, even today, getting an accurate diagnosis can be a long-drawn out and difficult process.  Especially for Bipolar II (“two”), and the milder form called “cyclothymia” the diagnostic elements may not be clear to many practitioners.  Some people have to persist in the medical ... Read More

Risk Calculator for Youth – Nancy

New research may lead to a risk calculator that can help predict which young people at risk of bipolar go on to develop either bipolar 1 or bipolar 2. Young people with a history of depression and some features of bipolar (a brief period of being energized, for example, that doesn't meet criteria for hypomania) are at risk for developing bipolar I or II as they age.  Until recently, there has been no good way to quantify the risk.  Ways of predicting who will “convert” to a bipolar I or II diagnosis have been developed for the group of at-risk youth as a whole, but these predictors have not been able to discriminate between different types and levels of risk ... Read More

About MoodSurfing

Welcome to MoodSurfing.com, the site that highlights strategies for living creatively with moods and coping with depression. This site is for people with bipolar, depression, cyclothymia, and others who experience powerful moods and want to figure out how to integrate these experiences into successful lives.

Although most of us are mental health clinicians of one kind or another, this site is not about providing people with medical or clinical advice (see below). We hope that we can help you cope with depression, maybe even allow you to live well with moods. 

If you like what you see here, be sure to sign up to get updated with new posts. 

We have done a series of interviews with people who have interesting things to say about different aspects of living creatively with moods. You can find those under the heading “Conversations.”

DISCLAIMER

This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and linkages to other sites, Moodsurfing provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Moodsurfing is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN. If you believe you have any other health problem, or if you have any questions regarding your health or a medical condition, you should promptly consult your physician or other healthcare provider. Never disregard medical or professional advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read on this site or a linked website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice. You should also ask your physician or other healthcare provider to assist you in interpreting any information in this site or in the linked websites, or in applying the information to your individual case.

Medical information changes constantly. Therefore the information on this site or on the linked websites should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided on this site or any linked websites is solely at your own risk.

Moodsurfing does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be provided on the linked websites. The linked websites may contain text, graphics, images or information that you find offensive (e.g., sexually explicit), Moodsurfing has no control over and accepts no responsibility for such materials.