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Possible Genetic Link to Bipolar Disorder

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Dr. Fink | 19 Comments

Psych Central’s Senior News Editor Rick Nauert recently posted a piece entitled “Genetic Variant Heightens Risk for Bipolar Disorder.” In it, he calls attention to a recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics that’s “based on a relatively new technique for the study of the genetics of bipolar disorder” termed genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

We invite you to check out the post, especially if you’re interested in keeping up on the latest breakthroughs in identifying the genetic component of bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). Although it may be years before these genetic studies translate into any sort of gene therapy, if that’s even possible, they deliver an immediate benefit in three important ways:

The genetic link adds to the growing body of scientific evidence that proves bipolar disorder to be a genuine illness and not a personality flaw or behavioral disorder.
As we get closer to identifying the gene or genes responsible for bipolar disorder, we get closer to developing a test for it.
What we learn from the research helps in developing prescription medications that are more effective in targeting symptoms while causing fewer undesirable side effects.

Posted in Genetics, Heredity, In the News | 19 Comments »

Cutting Funding for Mental Health Is Costly

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Joe | 5 Comments

I just read an interesting article by Brandi Grissom first published in The Texas Tribune entitled “Mental Health Cuts Would Strain Local Texas Jails.” This article does an excellent job of calling attention to two of the main problems with cost-cutting plans that target community-based mental health treatment – people suffer while funding cuts cost more money than they save.

Cutting those services would take a devastating human toll, Schwartz said, but it would also come at an enormous financial cost. When people with untreated mental health problems fall into crisis, it is much more expensive to provide care in an emergency room, jail or crisis center.

Betsy Schwartz, president and chief executive of Mental Health America of Greater Houston

We’re facing some tough economic times, and our leaders need to make tough decisions about where to cut, but we need to realize that some cuts cost much more than they save.

Posted in Advocacy | 5 Comments »

Social Security and Disability Resource Center

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Joe | 1 Comment

One of our readers recommended that we include a link to the Social Security and Disability Resource Center. We checked it out, and it seems to contain some valuable content. Here’s a description of the site from our reader:

The Social Security and Disability Resource Center website provides answers to questions concerning how to apply for disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made by applicants filing for either SSD (social security disability) or SSI (supplemental security income) benefits.

Specifically, she thought our readers would find the article “Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?” relevant.

Posted in Disability, Social Security | 1 Comment »

What Is Bipolar Blog?

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Joe | 1 Comment

Dennis recently posted a painful observation that we haven’t posted anything new on this site since 2009! So, what’s going on? We’re now posting almost exclusively on our Psych Central blog Bipolar Beat. You can also find us on our Facebook Page.

We still maintain this site primarily for people who want to share stories about living with bipolar disorder. One of these days, I’ll get around to transitioning this blog to a dedicated Bipolar Stories blog or something along those lines. Until then, we apologize for any inconvenience.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Rethinking Mental Health” Competition

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Dr. Fink | 7 Comments

For far too long, mental illness has been stigmatized and those stigmas have served as a barrier to innovation. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Rethinking Mental Health” competition offers an opportunity for new ideas outside the traditional structures to emerge.

What can you do to participate? Visit the Changemakers Website to do any of the following:

Comment on entries from others like you who are deeply concerned about this very important issue and want to get involved.
Enter the competition and share your own idea for improving mental health.
Nominate an inspired idea or project.

Please note that you will have to create an account on the Changemakers website, but it is free to do so and will only take a minute of your time.

Entries and comments can be submitted until October 14th. A panel of judges will then select 10 ideas that the Changemakers community will vote on to select the top three. The Changemakers collaborative competition winners-the three finalists that receive the most votes-will be announced on December 16, 2009 and will each receive a cash prize of USD $5,000. As important as the three winners, however, is the dialogue that occurs about mental health and that as many great minds as possible come to the table with fresh thinking and new solutions.

Posted in Advocacy | 7 Comments »

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