The following are some useful resources and links for Bipolar Disorder. The list should not be considered inclusive and viewers should remember that websites are constantly
changing. If you should find a link that is inactive, please contact us so that we can remove it.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610-7224 (USA)
Phone: (800) 826-3632 or (312) 642-7243
Fax: (312) 642-7243
http://dbsalliance.org/
Begun in 1986, DBSA, formerly DMDA, has over 1000 chapters that functions primarily to conduct support groups and to educate the public about depression and bipolar disorder.
DBSA support groups provide a caring environment for people to come together to discuss their challenges and successes in living with the illness. They are not group therapy,
though each group has a professional advisor and appointed facilitators. DBSA groups provide a forum for mutual understanding and self-discovery, help people stay compliant with
their treatment plans and gain support from others who have been there. For information on a DBSA support group in your area contact DBSA at (800) 826-3632.
National Alliance for the Mentally III (NAMI)
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Phone: (703) 524-7600
Fax: (703) 524-9094
www.nami.org
Begun in 1979, NAMI is the nation's largest advocacy organization for individuals with mental disorders and their families.
DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association)
Johns Hopkins University Center, Meyer 3-181
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
1-410-955-4647
www.med.jhu.edu/drada
Allied with the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, DRADA provides education and support groups for individuals with depression
or bipolar manic depression.
Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC)
3300 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 220
Arlington, VA 22201
1-703-294-6001
www.psychlaws.org
This legal advocacy organization was formed in 1998 to bring attention to and correct the consequences of the failing mental illness treatment system.
Citizen’s E-Letter Health Research
This is an objective source of information about the risks and benefits of drugs to treat mental disorders. This website is a project of Public Citizen's Health Research Group in
association with the Treatment Advocacy Center. http://www.citizen.org/eletter/
Stanley Foundation Research Programs
5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
1-301-571-0770
www.stanleyresearch.org
Begun in 1989, the organization known as the Stanley Foundation Research Programs, is, with the exception of the federal government, one of the two largest providers of research
funds for bipolar disease and schizophrenia.
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
Phone: (800) 969-6642
Fax: (703) 684-5968
www.nmha.org
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
1400 K. Street, NM
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 682-6000
Fax: (202) 682-6850
www.psych.org
National Institute of Mental Health
Information Resources and Inquiries Branch
Office of Communication and Public Liaison
6001 Executive Blvd, RM 8184
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513
Fax: (301) 443-4279
TTY: (301) 443-8431
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
1187 Wilmette Ave.
P.M.B. #331
Wilmette, IL 60091
Voice: (847) 256-8525
www.bpkids.org
This is the website of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) and is by far the most informed place there is on the subject of early onset bipolar disorder. If you have a
child with early onset bipolar, you need to start at this site.
Bipolar.com
http://www.bipolar.com/
This Web site includes up-to-date information about recognizing the symptoms of bipolar disorder and is designed for those with bipolar disorder, as well as their family, partners,
and friends.
My Shelter from the Storm
myshelterfromthestorm @ www.ezboard.com This is a web site which offers peer support for individuals and their families with bipolar disorder, My Shelter from the Storm is a
message board, live chat and information area. Begun in 2002, it has a wealth of information on its pages.
PsychEducation.org
www.psycheducation.org/index.html
This is the PsychEducation.org and is run by Dr. Jim Phelps, MD., a doctor a psychiatry at Samaritarian Mental Health in Oregon. He's the psychiatrist on staff at BipolarWorld.net
He's basically their "Ask the Doctor Guy." If you've not ventured over to their site, head over there sometime. He's got some interesting articles on his board.
Manic Moments: A Bipolar’s World
http://www.manicmoment.org/ Manic Moments: A Bipolar's World - Started in 1999, this site was started with the hope of helping others who think or know that they have Bipolar
Disorder know, that with the proper medication and therapy, that they can lead full and productive lives. Lots of great links!
Pendulum
http://www.pendulum.org A site filled with lots of information!
Joy Ikelman’s Site
http://www.frii.com/parrot-- Joy Ikelman's site is one of the most informative personal sites on the net. Be sure to check it out!
Bipolar News
www.bipolarnews.org/
This is an awesome site filled with up-to-date information about what's happening in the world of being bipolar. Extremely informative and filled with links to other sites!
Harbor of Refuge
This site was created to serve people who are receiving appropriate medical treatment for their bipolar illness, including appropriate medications. They also welcome affected friends
and family members of people with bipolar illness. It is a site filled with many wonderful links and a wealth of information.
Bipolar Significant Others
www.bpso.org
This website is intended for the "bipolar significant others." It includes general information that is available to the general public and peer-support mailing list that is restricted to
members only.
Mental Health Links by Dr. Bob
http://www.dr-bob.org/mental.html - This site is filled with links compiled by Dr. Bob from the University of Chicago. It's organized by various organizations and also by types of mental
disorders. A great resource!
Social Security Online
http://www.ssa.gov/ - This site has all the information on benefits, applying for services and Social Security law. You can also find handbooks and publications on Social Security and
disabilities.
Centerwatch
http://www.centerwatch.com/ - Centerwatch lists over 41,000 government-sponsored clinical trials, as well as new drug therapies. It has it fingers on the pulse of the drug industry
and what's happening and what's being approved next by the FDA.
Psychiatry Online(UK)
http://www.priory.com/psych.htm - This is an online journal of articles -- topics range from child psychiatry to adult psychiatry to other practices.
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
http://www.mentalhealth.org/ - This is a fact filled site, easy to navigate, which contain many fact sheets on various mental disorders. Very informative!
OBAD's Bipolar Disorder and Depression Gateway - Main Page
http://www.obad.ca/MAIN.HTM- Information for our folks in Canada
They can direct you to support groups that meet in your area. If you're not in a support group, consider getting in one. The board here is great, but there's nothing like getting a real
hug from someone that's going through the same stuff that you're going through... makes all the difference in the world!
Find a Support Group
www.ndmda.org/findsupport.html -This is an alphabetical directory of National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association chapters throughout the U.S. by state. Great site! Yes –
The group here at Obie’s Hope is wonderful, but it is awesome to have a “local group” that is part of a “support” system. If you’re not part of a local support group, think about
joining one.
Mental Illness Home Page - Help For Spouses and Partners
http://www.lightship.org/ - This site offers hope and coping skills to the spouses and partners of those with mental illness. A wonderful site.
Depression Fallout
http://pub131.ezboard.com/bdepressionfallout - This is a message board and peer support group for loved ones of depressives and bipolars. An excellent resource for those that
have to live with us.
Laughter&Surviving BiPolaritaville - http://pub145.ezboard.com/blaughterandsurvivalinbipolaritaville63885 - This is an incredible site filled with information and links to articles and
messages on early onset bipolar and any topic related to it.
Secret Shame
www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html - This is a site dedicated to those who self injure. A quote from the site: "For many people who self-injure, though, there comes a
breakthrough moment when they realize that change is possible, that they can escape, that things can be different. They begin to believe that other tools do exist and begin figuring
out which of these non-self-destructive ways of coping work for them. This site exists to help you come closer to that moment."
Healing Hopes
www.healinghopes.org/- This site deals with DID. It's one of the most informative and comprehensive DID sites I've found on the web.
The following sites offer more information:
www.cdc.gov/safeusa/suicide.htm
www.afsp.org
www.suicidology.org
www.metanoia.org/suicide
www.suicidehotlines.com
www.howistayedalive.com
www.illstandbyyou.com
www.rxhope.com
www.rxassist.org
www.phrma.org/pap/
www.themedicineprogram.com/ This site has information for free meds.
www.thewindsofchange.org/meds.html This is an article that details the process of how to apply for free meds.
1-800-442-HOPE (not a hotline - speak to a compassionate person)
1-800-SUICIDE (a friendly voice, prevention if needed)
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call someone, let them know. If you feel as though you have no more options, dial 911, dial 0. Remember, there is always
hope. The worst part of having bipolar disorder is that when you are manic you think you don’t NEED help and when you are depressed you don’t think you DESERVE help.
Regardless, you still do. Help is available. You just have to CHOOSE it.
