Bipolar Educational Resources

Bipolar disorder has a curious effect on my life. My condition has allowed me to experience, learn and do things only a few people in history will dare to, that's nice. I felt like all that experience I developed was worth more than a wife, kids, family, money or relationships and it is true, but now that I have accomplished my goal I don't really have anyone to share my experiences with. That sucks. If it turns out that I can't ever have a wife or a serious job, then I will be a bit bummed, but right now my goal is to avoid trouble and to maintain longterm health. My hope is that my condition becomes very stable so that I could maintain a decent relationship and lifestyle. The final thing that makes it easy to accept, besides the mania, is the fact that the research the scientists are doing is out of this world amazing. They are learning so much and are developing such sophisticated medicine, that we are lucky! to be alive in this age. I hope they can keep developing breakthroughs and am considering studying science myself.

Here is some info that helped me learn more about the Bipolar Manic Depression than anything else:

Here is a podcast series (probably 8 different programs and more coming) where patients and Doctors are interviewed about different themes every month or so. It is called Health Talk and you can listen to it on the web or get the Podcasts through Itunes

http://www2.healthtalk.com/go/mental-health/bipolar-disorder/audio-video


Oh and PBS or Nova did a special about Bipolar in kids that was also very informative. It is called "A Medicated Child". You can watch it online right now. They'll show you all the most modern procedures they are using to develop their understanding. We are talking cutting edge stuff.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/







Documentaries about the DNA Research - Lay Person Documentary
They will show you the basics of how DNA works and how they discovered it
as well as what they are working on. The first 4/5 videos are amazing. The last one is a little boring

http://www15.alluc.org/alluc/documentaries.html?action=getviewcategory&category_uid=47576&from=&partner=no

If you have never heard of the Teaching company, then check this out.
Get world class college lectures for free at your local library, buy and sell
it on ebay whatever it is worth it. The first link is the 18 hour Neuroscience DVD set. Each section is in great 30 minute segments that can be watched independent of each other. The last DVD has the most relevant stuff about Mania, Depression etc. This will give you some insight into the science of it all.

Neuroscience ($90 new, sell it on ebay for $85)
http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1580

(More Brain Stuff)
http://www.teach12.com/SearchV2/searchttc.aspx?ct=TTCWebSearch&xr=t&site=www.teach12.com&PageSize=20&MaxPages=200&SearchKind=AllWords&FilterUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fttcdevweb&MediaType=&PriceRange=&Subject=&SearchPhrase=neuroscience&imagefield.x=0&imagefield.y=0

Here are the Science Lectures

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=1100&pc=Science%20and%20Mathematics

Any of the Biology lectures would probably be helpful for instance

48. Gregor Mendel, Founder of Genetics
49. The Discovery of DNA
50. The Genetic Code
51. Reading the Genetic Code
52. Genetic Engineering
53. Cancer and Other Genetic Diseases


I love the documentaries and movies, because I find it easier to learn visually and with audio as opposed to reading. Also when I am 'low energy or 'depressed' I can't concentrate on a book, but I can watch all day long. I highly recommend everyone learn as much about your condition as you can. The doctors don't have the time and probably don't want to educate you, because you can then second guess what they are telling you. They are lazy like anybody else. Don't let your treatment be second rate. Get informed.

Sorry this was so long, I got way into it. I need to start my own blog or something. I was just so happy to finally find a cool bipolar forum that actually had interesting posts. I never synthesized all my info till just now. Thanks again.