Bipolar Spectrum - Blog Posts

For anyone wondering what the difference between type 1 and type 2 bipolar disorder (BP-II), this graphic is really nice. For the record, I’m type 2.

Unipolar Major Depression is also known as Major Depression Disorder. Another Graphic that helps compare the two, and provides references for normal moods, bereavement depression (after a loss of a loved one, for example,) and Cyclothymia:

Other facts about BP-II:

Bipolar Type 2 Patients do not receive full manic episodes, which means they will not exhibit the psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations associated with Manic episodes in BP-I patients.

Bipolar Type 2 patients are more likely to commit suicide than their Type 1 counterparts

Those with bipolar type 2 cycle from Hypomania to Severe Depression more frequently than Type 1 does from Mania to Severe depression

BP-II are more likely to experience rapid cycling than Type 1

BP-II patients typically experience longer depressive episodes than their Type 1 counterparts.

It’s the masterpost that no one actually asked for, but I really wanted to make. I’ve found a lot of resources, but they were never in one place. So instead of searching all over the place all the time, I decided to make this.

This also includes resources for schizoaffective disorder, which I’ve never seen a masterpost for! I didn’t include things like “Dealing with a bipolar loved one”, but I might make a separate post for friends/family.

Basic information:

About Bipolar Disorder (DBSA)

Bipolar Disorder (NIMH), Bipolar Disorder (Mayo Clinic)

Overview of Bipolar Disorder (pdf)

Bipolar I (WebMD)

Bipolar II (WebMD)

Cyclothymia (Mayo Clinic),  Cyclothymia (WebMD)

What is rapid cycling? (DBSA)

Schizoaffective Disorder (NAMI), Schizoaffective Disorder (Mayo Clinic)

Diagnosing bipolar disorder NOS (verywell)

The secret life of manic depression (pdf)

BPD vs BD (post by homojabi)

Mania and hypomania:

Mania symptoms (psych central)

What is mania and hypomania? (WebMD)

What is a manic episode? (healthy place)

Coping with mania (healthline)

Dealing with this manic episode (living manic depressive)

Behavioral strategies for preventing mania (pdf)

Cognitive strategies for preventing mania (pdf)

How to prevent a hypomanic episode (pdf)

Hypersexuality information post (OP deleted, so it’s on bipolarnet)

Depressive episodes:

Depression in bipolar disorder (black dog institute)

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about bipolar depression (bphope)

Cognitive strategies for preventing and managing depression (pdf)

Behavioral strategies for preventing and managing depression (pdf)

Depression laundry tips (depressionresource)

Mixed episodes:

Mixed episode symptoms (psych central)

How to treat mixed mood episodes (bipolar burble)

Bipolar episodes with mixed features (WebMD)

Schizoaffective disorder:

Living with schizoaffective disorder (psych central)

Living with schizoaffective disorder (brain blogger)

What is schizoaffective disorder?, self care, + treatments and support (mind.org)

Psychosis:

Talking to friends about psychosis ( @therapidcyclist )

Surviving halloween with psychosis ( @mentalhealthwarrior )

How to deal with paranoia when you’re alone ( post by skailu )

How to handle hallucinations (post by schizotiger)

Treatment and medication info:

crazymeds (mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics)

Bipolar medication guide (help guide)

Bipolar disorder - What medication is available? (mind.org)

Bipolar disorder - treatment (nhs)

What to do if your parents refuse to let you have access to mental healthcare (posted by abusedkidproblems)

Self care / executive dysfunction:

Dysfunctional’s guide to functioning ( therapidcyclist )

Grounding kits ( @depressionresource )

What to do when showering is too hard (depressionresource)

lowspoonsgourmet and no-more-ramen

articles on college and bipolar disorder (ibpf)

Fact sheet on recognizing and preventing future episodes

Bipolar self care post (unfortunately OP’s theme is nearly impossible to read, so it’s on bipolarnet)

Apps:

Bipol-app, Booster Buddy, Daily Feats, Daylio, Emoods, iMood journal, Mango Health MediSafe, MoodPanda, Pacifica

note: I’ve tried to make sure all of these apps are free!

This ended up being really long already, but feel free to add to this. If your post was featured here and you want me to remove it, let me know! Please let me know if any links are broken.