So, lets tackle this from a different angle: I have bipolar, I want health insurance, but I don't care if it covers nothing about my bipolar (Meds, Psychiatrist, Therapist or, god forbid: In-patient hospital care). Is this possible/affordable? Where do I go? [more inside]
posted on Sep 1, 2008 - 2 answers

Bipolar filter: is it normal to feel like everything's about to go wrong, and either way, how to move past it, sort yourself out, live in the present and get on with your life? [more inside]
posted on Aug 31, 2008 - 8 answers

Instead of not being able to get up in the mornings, I have a problem with waking up TOO early. Typically I go to sleep around midnight-1:00 am (it's when I start getting tired) but for the last 2 months or so I've been waking up anywhere between 5:00 am to 7ish, and my alarm doesn't go off until 8:15. [more inside]
posted on Aug 14, 2008 - 19 answers

I've spent the last fifteen years suffering from bipolar disorder (bipolar II with the emphasis on depression) and a sleep disorder. Four months ago I switched to a medication that turns out to be perfect for me. I feel normal. Assuming this continues, my mood disorder is essentially cured. Fifteen years of mental illness have really screwed up my life. How do I get it back? [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2008 - 22 answers

I'm pretty sure my father is mentally ill and I need to get him into some sort of public assistance living situation. Does anyone have experience with something like that? What do I do? [more inside]
posted on Jul 6, 2008 - 9 answers

What can we do? Kid's parents are divorced and his mom wants him to be on drugs for ADHD/bipolar disorder, but his dad is vehemently against it. He's 7. [more inside]
posted on Jun 10, 2008 - 33 answers

Summer programs for bipolar children in Seattle? [more inside]
posted on Apr 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Need advice on disclosing bi-polar disorder to employer. [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 8 answers

I am in the process of switching jobs. I need health insurance (likely individual health insurance) but I am Bipolar... help [more inside]
posted on Feb 6, 2008 - 12 answers

What to do now? I'm a single, mid-thirties female, and I have a crush. Oh, wait. It's a lot more complicated than that. I'm sorry this is so long... [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2008 - 37 answers

Mental illness/dating filter: Four years ago, I broke up with a great guy (possibly the right guy, definitely the wrong time). We've had contact maybe three times since then. Two years ago, at age 38, I was diagnosed as bipolar. Now he wants to have dinner. How much does he need to know about my illness and how do I explain it? [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2007 - 20 answers

Should I buy a house? This one? Now? (Sticky family and personal issues involved.) [more inside]
posted on Dec 6, 2007 - 15 answers

I think I might have bipolar II. What now? [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 10 answers

How do I handle my bipolar disorder? [more inside]
posted on Oct 6, 2007 - 20 answers

Is it possible for my wife (with my help) to manage a possible hypomanic stage down without meds and without too much of a depression swing? [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2007 - 31 answers

Why do Bipolar sufferers cut themselves? [more inside]
posted on Sep 8, 2007 - 28 answers

What are the next steps for a wife who's husband has just walked out? Not-so-delicious twist: husband is mentally ill and probably going to worsen. [more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2007 - 19 answers

My mother has become very clingy. I have things I want to say to her but I don't want to hurt her, as it isn't her intent to hurt me. [more inside]
posted on Jul 18, 2007 - 25 answers

Wife is bipolar and in the manic part. She's taking meds and her doctor has ordered her off work for a week while she ups her meds and ordered her to quit several activities which she enjoyed doing, though they stressed her. She's getting depressed and unfocused. How can I help her? [more inside]
posted on Jul 11, 2007 - 12 answers

What should I expect when taking Carbamazepine/Tegretol for bipolar disorder? Should I expect it to do something clear in regard to the depression? [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2007 - 3 answers

I'm trying to get my life organized. As I've mentioned here before , I'm also bipolar. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2007 - 10 answers

Can someone recommend a good psychiatrist in the north suburbs of Chicago? Someone near my job in Libertyville with a good understanding of bipolar disorder would be ideal. I'm just not getting along with my current doctor. Email's in my profile if you'd rather respond privately. Thanks.
posted on Apr 20, 2007 - 1 answers

I'm bipolar, have a criminal record and need a job. Got any advice? [more inside]
posted on Apr 18, 2007 - 25 answers

PsychologyFilter: Help me. My mother's fantasy is escalating and becoming more dangerous. [more inside]
posted on Jan 24, 2007 - 24 answers

How do I stop myself from being overly critical of everything I do??? [more inside]
posted on Jan 21, 2007 - 9 answers

My kid brother thinks he's bipolar [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2006 - 32 answers

How can I best cope with getting back to work after an extended break due to bipolar/ depression, and how can I best explain my condition to potential employers? [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2006 - 6 answers

Here's the situation: I changed health insurance plans about two years ago ago. I have a good plan, based in Californa, that costs me about $250 a month. Since starting the coverage, my major medical expense - for about a year - have three monthly medications which I take for recently-diagnosed bipolar disorder. I have never claimed these expenses on my insurance, nor have I ever put any of my psychiatric costs on a claim. The reason is that I've been advised not to do this, especially with a bipolar diagnosis, since, in the words of my psychiatrist, "once that's on your record, you'll have a very hard time if you need to change insurance plans." (I should add that the diagnosis, while scary, and the resulting treatment, has changed my life so much for the better that I'd sell pretty much sell a kidney to keep paying for the meds, if I had to.) [more inside]
posted on Oct 16, 2006 - 6 answers

WhineFilter: I'm bipolar and I am having a very hard time quitting smoking. Does anyone have any ideas that I haven't tried yet? [more inside]
posted on Sep 16, 2006 - 14 answers

Friend in trouble: bipolar, taking Zoloft, smoking huge amount of marijuana which exacerbates his mania. He's acting crazy. I'm far away -- how can I help? Especially, how can I support his girlfriend, and convince him to accept treatment and quit the pot? Other advice about treatment for bipolar disorder? [more inside]
posted on Aug 28, 2006 - 14 answers

Is my bipolar friend pregnant, or is it just her meds? [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2006 - 17 answers

Should I dump my boyfriend before he dumps me? [more inside]
posted on Aug 4, 2006 - 56 answers

What are the more serious side effects that can come from taking Lamictal? [more inside]
posted on Jul 25, 2006 - 20 answers

What are the laws surrounding involuntary commitment for psychiatric treatment in California? [more inside]
posted on Jul 12, 2006 - 6 answers

MentalHealthFilter: To try and sum up a fairly long and complicated issue: My brother, 23, is diagnosed as bipolar. It's been an uphill battle ever since he was admitted to the psych hospital at 11/12 years old. Although his diagnosis and medications have switched many times, nothing seems to work. [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 5 answers

well my ex bipolar gf has still yet to call me after 1 month..i know she loved me but basically split and left town w/o telling me. Even after death of my family member. Anything i should do? Her mom even stopped calling me maybe to let me grieve. I thought i loved her. Advice? if she calls(doubtful) what should i do?
posted on Jun 3, 2006 - 15 answers

Bipolarfilter: I'm in a weird situation - I lost my health insurance, ran out of two of my meds, and now it's a month til my appointment with a good practitioner. There's more to it, but I just generally wanted some help with coping strategies to help me get through this next month. Some of the time I feel ok, but other times nothing feels good and I burst into tears at the drop of a hat. [more inside]
posted on Mar 3, 2006 - 22 answers

I'm having serious doubts about my 8-year relationship, but my SO is going through a really rough time right now--& may even be suicidal. I think I want out, but I'm afraid it could drive him over the edge. [more inside]
posted on Feb 26, 2006 - 32 answers

Drastic change? Bipolar episode? Suicide concern? [more inside]
posted on Feb 24, 2006 - 48 answers

Dealing with a loved one's Bipolar Disorder. [more inside]
posted on Dec 26, 2005 - 29 answers

Can anyone here recommend a good on-line support community for a friend whose s/o is undergoing treatment for an undiagnosed mental illness? [more inside]
posted on May 26, 2005 - 3 answers

In your personal experience, do you think it's possible (or even common) to be mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar? [more inside]
posted on May 20, 2005 - 29 answers

Managers, employers, and workers with this experience: should I tell my boss about my bipolar disorder? I'm about to enter a situation where it might disrupt my work... [more inside]
posted on Apr 26, 2005 - 18 answers

I think my ex-boyfriend may be bipolar. He refuses to admit that, or seek help. His mother and I are both worried, and both want to help, but we don't know what to do. Does anyone have any experience convincing someone to seek help? [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2005 - 29 answers