Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition, and while not as common as depression or anxiety disorders, it remains one of the most challenging to treat. That’s largely because it’s characterized by its wide mood swings. When a lot of people first hear about bipolar disorder, it doesn’t sound like it should be such a problem. For instance, mania can be characterized by intense creative spurts and periods of productivity. But those periods are often followed by a crash into depression. After having reached such “highs,” the lows may feel especially dark and lonely.

Indeed, there are some who believe that bipolar disorder should be viewed in a different light, with an understanding and appreciation for the positive side. Bipolar Advantage is our blog that explores bipolar from this different, positive perspective. They’ve posed an interesting and thoughtful question I wanted to ensure others saw, because I’d love to hear your feedback and answers to it…

Finding solutions and what works taps one’s creative resources and also requires investigating one’s own trial and error efforts to create a personally satisfying life in order to separate what works from what doesn’t work. Finding solutions and what works in one’s own life is a form of artistry that can result in highly individual and unique solutions and outcomes. We would like to tap into the collective wisdom of those who come to this blog looking for a better quality of life by gathering together descriptions of what has been helpful for you as a person with bipolar or another condition or for you as a loved one or family member. [...]

What experiences and/or treatments have you as a person with a bipolar condition or other condition or you as a family member of a person with a bipolar condition found helpful in managing, coping with, and/or treating bipolar in you or a family member?

I’ve closed comments on this entry so that you’ll add your responses to this question over on their blog. Thanks!

Add your experiences here: Coping with and Treating Bipolar: What Works for You?

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Mar 2010
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