Memoirs of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison

Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison is one of the leading authorities on manic-depressive illness not only because she has studied it but also because she has experienced it firsthand.  In her memoir, Jamison examines manic-depression from the perspectives of both the healer and the healed, showing both the terrors and odd allure the disorder has that, at times, prompted her not to take her medications.  Her book is truly one of vividness, insight, and wisdom that has the power to transform, and even save, lives.

1000 Skokie Boulevard
Suite 425
Wilmette, IL 60091
http://www.bpkids.org

"The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation educates families, professionals, and the public about pediatric bipolar disorder; connects families with resources and support; advocates for and empowers affected families; and supports research on pediatric bipolar disorder and its cure."

730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, Illinois 60610-7224 USA
(800) 826 -3632
http://www.dbsalliance.org/

"The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation's leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses – depression and bipolar disorder. The organization fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, develop more effective and tolerable treatments and discover a cure. The organization works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably."

Johns Hopkins Hospital
Meyer 3-181
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287-7381
http://www.drada.org/

"DRADA is a community organization that serves individuals affected by a depressive illness, family members, health care professionals and the general public. They are committed to their mission to alleviate the suffering arising from depression and manic depression by assisting self-help groups, providing education and information, and lending support to research programs. DRADA understands the need to eliminate the stigma that is attached to mood disorders, and they are constantly striving to promote public knowledge of signs, symptoms, and resources available to persons affected by these illnesses."

Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., 3rd
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Toll-Free: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Phone: (703) 524-7600
http://www.nami.org

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation's voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education.

P.O. Box 2257
New York, NY 10116
Toll-Free: 1-800-239-1265
http://www.depression.org

A site for women struggling with depressive illness since they are twice as likely to be affected as men are, the goals of the National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. (NAFDI) are to increase the number of people seeking treatment for depression, to increase the number of doctors screening for depression, ant to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513
www.nimh.gov

The Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program (MAP) is the world's largest research program focused on mood and anxiety disorders. Their nationally and internationally renowned clinical researchers and basic scientists investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of serious mood and anxiety disorders.  Their major focus is on treatment research and leading the way to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

2001 N Beauregard Street
12th floor Alexandria, VA 22311
1-800-969-NMHA (6642)
Phone: (703) 684-7722;
http://www.nmha.org

"The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service."

by Tom Wootton

This book is about recognizing all of the aspects of the bipolar condition. Wootton readily admits that "Advantage" is not the typical interpretation of bipolar. Based on his Bipolar in Order Seminar that he has developed over the past two years, it focuses on the positive approach to the bipolar condition. It is about coming to an acceptance of yourself while striving to become a better person. Learning to use introspection to become aware of who you REALLY are and learning to change your habits in order to accentuate the positive aspects of the bipolar condition while minimizing the negative. Turning bipolar into an advantage is accomplished by creating a vision of who you want to be and putting together a plan to follow that will get you there; as is done by every successful business in the world.  As a successful professional and someone who was misdiagnosed for years, Wootton has personally experienced the good and the bad of this condition. Leading a DBSA group and teaching the Bipolar in Order seminar has put Wootton in touch with the personal stories of many bipolar people and their families. This positive approach with tools and skills for improving life will be of help to everyone, both those with bipolar and those who love and support them.

A Survival Guide for Parents by Judith Lederman and Candida Fink

This book is a godsend for clinicians, bipolar children, and their families. It includes every important experience, concern, quest, and resource you'll ever come across with bipolar children and their families.  The book is written in a compassionate style and knowing vantage point that only the author-mother of a bipolar child could achieve. The brief but pointed notes from the psychiatrist at the end of each chapter provide added expertise in an artful and humble way which parents can really appreciate. By so placing these comments, the message is clear: psychiatrists often learn more from our patients than they do from us.  The authors are sharing what they have learned with those who need them the most: parents of bipolar children.