What Is Bipolar Disorder, Anyway?

Gray (D) and an explanation from Brigham about how data would be collected. Audience members were asked a series of questions. For multiple-choice, they answered on personal keypads. For open-ended questions, volunteers at each of the 38 tables took notes on an iPad.

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People probably wont lose their job over it and they probably wont have to be in the hospital. Because the depressive periods tend to be severe and longer than the hypomanic ones, bipolar 2 is often misdiagnosed as pure depression, says Miklowitz. Thats significant because the antidepressants that may help depression arent appropriate for bipolar disorder; they may aggravate the mania. Standard treatment is mood stabilizers like lithium and anticonvulsants. ( Heres what the NIH has to say about bipolar treatment, including information on risks and side effects.) Miklowitz says there is some evidence that adding psychotherapy to medication can improve bipolar disorder. His research focuses on the effectiveness of family interventions, which help parents, spouses and siblings recognized their loved ones symptoms and improve how they communicate. Between the mid-1990s and 2003, the number of kids diagnosed with bipolar disorder increased from 25 per 100,000 kids to 1,003 per 100,000 . Its unclear whether it was previously underdiagnosed, is now overdiagnosed, or something in between. Miklowitz says theres controversy over the boundaries of what constitutes bipolar disorder in a kid.

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BULLIES NEARLY TWICE AS LIKELY TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER



"This finding emphasizes the importance of providing psychological support to not only victims of bullying but bullies as well," the researchers wrote. The study did not look at the likelihood that bullies would have a mental health disorder, only that some children who have a disorder were more likely to be identified as bullies. According to Hines, the findings call for children identified as bullies to be screened for mental health disorders. Some experts agreed, adding that it is also important for parents, clinicians and teachers to identify the root of the children's anger, and to help the children channel their aggression in a better way.

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SUFFERERS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN IRAQ GO UNDETECTED AND UNTREATED



During her first counseling session a 10 year old girl described how she felt and why she was seeking out help: I started attending the sessions to help improve my speech and help me overcome my fear. Im scared of everything. My body is always shivering I cant spell words correctly anymore. My teacher and my fellow classmates beat me all the time in school I cant study or learn anything Im unable to concentrate. I dont talk to anyone. This is the first time Ive talked to someone about my problems. Existing mental health services in Iraq tend to treat serious mental illnesses with medication; psychological counseling services (talking therapies) are very limited. People suffering from trauma-related mental health problems are therefore not able to benefit from the treatment provided by talking therapies.

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