Bipolar disorder causes extreme behavioral and mood swings. These changes from the highs known as mania to the lows of depression are the reasons why it was often called manic depression in the past. Readers discover this and other essential information about this disorder as they explore its symptoms, causes, and treatments. Through detailed sidebars, quotes from experts, and full-color photographs, readers gain a deeper understanding of bipolar disorder as well as how to support loved ones who face its unique challenges. Readers are given the tools to confront the stigma around bipolar disorder with knowledge and empathy.

Estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 4 Americans will experience a mental health problem or will misuse alcohol or drugs in their lifetimes. These disorders are among the most highly stigmatized health conditions in the United States, and they remain barriers to full participation in society in areas as basic as education, housing, and employment. Improving the lives of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders has been a priority in the United States for more than 50 years. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 is considered a major turning point in America's efforts to improve behavioral healthcare. It ushered in an era of optimism and hope and laid the groundwork for the consumer movement and new models of recovery. The consumer movement gave voice to people with mental and substance use disorders and brought their perspectives and experience into national discussions about mental health. However over the same 50-year period, positive change in American public attitudes and beliefs about mental and substance use disorders has lagged behind these advances. Stigma is a complex social phenomenon based on a relationship between an attribute and a stereotype that assigns undesirable labels, qualities, and behaviors to a person with that attribute. Labeled individuals are then socially devalued, which leads to inequality and discrimination. This report contributes to national efforts to understand and change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to stigma and discrimination. Changing stigma in a lasting way will require coordinated efforts, which are based on the best possible evidence, supported at the national level with multiyear funding, and planned and implemented by an effective coalition of representative stakeholders. Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence for Stigma Change explores stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental or substance use disorders and recommends effective strategies for reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek treatment and other supportive services. It offers a set of conclusions and recommendations about successful stigma change strategies and the research needed to inform and evaluate these efforts in the United States.

Anxiety. Depression. Bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia. These diagnoses, along with many other mental health conditions, are often attached to a stigma that is difficult to overcome, leading many who struggle with mental illness to avoid seeking treatment and creating a ripple effect that reverberates from the individual to their family, their friends, and even their community. Joined by fourteen contributors, Anthony and Tyreese R. McAllister open up the conversation about mental illness to discuss the challenges of mental illness as well as to reduce the stigma millions deal with every day. Mind Over Matter: Mental Health Stories on Coping with Stigma, Society and Self is an in-depth, personal look into the lives of men and women who have both struggled and thrived in their mental health conditions. By sharing their stories, these authors will help individuals not only look at their diagnosis in a different way, but inspire them to ask for help so they can find the right treatment. Additionally, by revealing the candid details of their stories, the authors hope to inform people that "treatment works" and to encourage family members and friends to support their loved ones during mental health crises.

When you travel to a new city, it helps to have a map close at hand. On the first day of school, you need to have your schedule of classes. And if you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or suspect you may have it, then it's even more important to have a guidebook within reach. Facing Bipolar will help you navigate the world of medications, therapists, and the up-and-down mood cycles common to the disorder. It clearly explains what bipolar disorder is and provides sound guidance for developing the necessary coping skills to manage its impact on your life. In this book you'll discover: How therapy and medications can help When and how to tell your friends, roommates, and teachers The four key factors that will bring more stability to your life How to develop a support network and access college resources Ways to overcome the challenges in accepting this illness

Breaking the Stigma: Living with Bipolar Disorder by David Carter is a powerful and inspiring memoir that sheds light on the often misunderstood world of mental illness. In this book, David Carter shares his personal journey of living with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the most impactful aspects of this book is the way it tackles the stigma surrounding mental illness. As someone who has personally experienced the negative effects of stigma, Carter is passionate about breaking down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help and support. He does so by sharing his own story, as well as the stories of others he has met along the way. Breaking the Stigma: Living with Bipolar Disorder is a book that offers hope and inspiration to anyone who is struggling with mental illness, as well as their loved ones. It is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that with the right treatment and support, anyone can live a fulfilling and meaningful life. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about bipolar disorder, mental illness, and the impact of stigma on those who are affected. It is also a valuable resource for mental health professionals who want to better understand the experiences of those living with mental illness. In addition to offering a personal perspective on bipolar disorder, Breaking the Stigma: Living with Bipolar Disorder also includes practical information on treatment options, coping strategies, and resources for those seeking help. The book provides a wealth of valuable information for anyone who is interested in learning more about mental illness and how to support those who are affected. Overall, Breaking the Stigma: Living with Bipolar Disorder is a powerful and inspiring memoir that offers hope, inspiration, and practical guidance to anyone who is struggling with mental illness. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic and is an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about mental health and stigma.

Parallel to An Unquiet Mind and The Glass Castle, a deeply personal memoir calling for the destigmatization of mental illness