The Bipolar Youth Forum

GO TO THIS SITE

2009-03-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

www.manicyouth.com

This is a website I had made that will be more useful. Check it out.

Website Change

2009-02-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Over the next couple of weeks this blog will move over to an actual website that will be far more useful. Check back frequently for the name of the website. If you have any sweet ideas for a name feel free to share.

Use this kid's website!

2008-12-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

Sam Sheffres of San Diego started a website, http://www.samscause.org/, so when you click on this site and use it to access online retailers part of the commission goes to him and he donates it to the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation. It's a solid cause. Your Christmas shopping might be all done but if you're planning on shopping after Christmas check this kid's site out.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Sad News

2008-12-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

This blog is in the very beginning stages of its existence. One of the things I do to keep this blog interesting is put out news stories that I receive in my email. Every day I receive more than a few articles from newspapers all around dealing with the bipolar subject.

One of the startling trends that I am beginning to learn about is how many bipolar individuals get into trouble with the law. Clearly these people were going through manic phases and acted out in a way that caused the police to intervene. Sadly many of these instances that I have read about end in incarceration or death.

As a bipolar person who could very likely fall into similar situations I don't know what to think. The situations that surround some of these people are unclear in the articles. Were they taking their meds? Did they have proper care? Was the police action too much? These are all largely unanswered questions, but I wanted to bring it up so that we as a community might be aware of what is going on. I think much of these problems comes from a lack of understanding on many fronts. The bottom line is that it's sad and frankly it seems unnecessary.

Here is the link to an article about a young man who has just passed away.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081223.SHOOTING23/TPStory/National

Also, I would rather this forum be a place of positive information and inspiration but to ignore the plight of some of these people who are bipolar and are losing their lives would be wrong.

Drugs and bipolar disorder

2008-12-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

Young people--college students in particular--are faced with drugs and alcohol all the time whether it be at parties or just hanging out watching a football game. Those of us who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder have to learn how to deal with that. I won't preach one way or the other on the issue but take a look at this article and think about the consequences this fellow bipolar guy has to now face.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20081217/NEWS01/812170336/1002/NEWS

Can you afford the medicine you need?

2008-12-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

The cost of meds are astronomical. These medications can be the key to a steady lifestyle for a bipolar person and when the right ones aren't taken the results can be horrible. Even if you don't have the financial support there are options that you have. This is an organization that can help. If you don't find what you are looking for try the actual drug company websites for more information; often times they will offer discount programs as well.

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

Inspiration to get you up in the morning.

2008-12-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

At times being bi-polar seems like the worst thing in the world. We all know the troubles it causes but can it be a blessing of sorts? Take a look at some of the fascinating people that have been diagnosed over the years, and the next time you feel as if you have been dealt a lousy hand in life take a moment to reconsider.

This is by no means a complete list.

Winston Churchill-
"Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished," wrote Anthony Storr about Churchill's bipolar disorder in Churchill's Black Dog, Kafka's Mice, and Other Phenomena of the Human Mind.

Honore de Balzac, Writer

Johann Goethe, Writer
George Fredrick Handel, Composer

Gustav Mahier, Composer

Michelangelo, Artist
The mental illness of one of the world's greatest artistic geniuses is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

Isaac Newton, Scientist-
The scientist's mental illness is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb.

Jimmy Piersall, Baseball Player -
The baseball player for the Boston Red Sox who suffered from bipolar disorder detailed his experience in The Truth Hurts.

Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States

Robert Schumann, Composer-
The "inspired poet of human suffering" experienced bipolar disorder, as discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

Ted Turner, Businessman

Vincent Van Gogh, Painter-
The celebrated artist's bipolar disorder is discussed in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb and Dear Theo, The Autobiography of Van Gogh.

Virginia Woolf-
The British novelist who wrote To the Lighthouse and Orlando experienced the mood swings of bipolar disorder characterized by feverish periods of writing and weeks immersed in gloom. Her story is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

The Start

2008-12-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

This is the start of the bipolar youth blog. I’m pretty excited about what this might be able to do. First let me tell you about myself. I am a 23 year old college student from the Washington DC area. I have had five manic episodes but with the support of my family, friends, and doctors I am doing well. One night I couldn’t write a paper and I came up with the idea for an online forum that would help young people afflicted with bipolar disorder.
Over the past few years I have met many bipolar people, most of whom are young. I don’t know everything about this disease—or whatever you want to call it—but I know together we can further our knowledge about it and I thought a website might be a good way to do that. Hopefully if things go sour for anyone, if someone needs information, if they feel lost, fed up, tired and helpless this website can be at least a small ray of hope. There are a lot of us going through this but together we can bear it and help one another along the way.
Thanks and I hope you leave anything you might think would be helpful.