NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE "BIPOLAR" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN.
Founded 05/1995.

Related Disorders

Some of the illnesses listed here are either related disorders, that is, they are believed to be part of the mood disorders spectrum, e.g. schizophrenia. Others, however, are only related in that they tend to appear in the same families as bipolar disorder; or perhaps are often comorbid with bipolar disorder.

Having a physical illness like FMS or MS absolutely does NOT imply that the patient has bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

I can't describe the experience of watching schizophrenia emerge in a family member.
Modern drugs hold great promise - I will be doing more research to find out things like the positive results of earlier, more effective treatment.
Here are a few resources for Schizophrenics and their families.

• Schizophrenics Anonymous - a self-help support group for persons with schizophrenia or related disorders, organized and managed by persons with the illness.
• Schizophrenia.com
• National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) - diagnostic criteria.
• Huxley Institute for Biosocial Research - Orthomolecular psychiatry.

Autism

I read a great book today, couldn't put it down. It's called "Thinking in Pictures" and the author, Temple Grandin, has a PhD in Animal Science and happens to be a high-functioning autistic. She gives an excellent list of resources, and it motivated me to start researching autism.
According to the Autism Society of America,

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 2 to 6 in 1,000 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2001). Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries.

• Individuals with autism experience difficulty in verbal and/or nonverbal communication, which ranges in extremes from not speaking at all to being unable to interpret body language or to participate comfortably in two-way conversation.
• People with autism exhibit rigidity in thought processes, which can include difficulty with learning abstract concepts, generalizing information, and tolerating changes in routines and/or environments.
• The most outstanding hallmark of autism is difficulty with reciprocal social interaction. This can range from appearing to want social isolation to experiencing social awkwardness in attaining and maintaining ongoing relationships.

• Autism Society of America
  7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300
  Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3067
  Phone: 1.800.3AUTISM
  - the largest organization representing the 1.5 million individuals affected by autism.
• StarThrowers.org - Helps parents learn how to set up and run a personal fundraising program for Autism treatment.
• Families for Early Autism Treatment - North Texas "Building a Bridge of Hope" - Parents group promoting ABA and early intervention for Autism.
• Autism Treatment Info - Fundraising for In-Home treatment programs
  You CAN treat Autism!!
  Get treatment tips for children with Autism, PDD and Aperger's Syndrome from parents who have successfully helped their children.
• MAAP - a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
• Center for the Study of Autism
  P.O. Box 4538
  Salem, OR 97302
  - provides information about autism to parents and professionals, and conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions.
• Sensory Integration International (SII)
• PRO-ED, Inc. - Educational materials.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Thanks to feralkat for enlightening me - MS and bipolar tend to run in the same families. I will be researching this further in the near future.
International Multiple Sclerosis/Autoimmune Disorders.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Approximately 3-5% of all American children -- up to 3.5 million children -- have an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). It is a leading cause of school failure and under-achievement.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Links

• Fibromyalgia Article by Dr. Peter Hendler - The real problem with FMS is a change in the "brightness control" for pain in the brain. If normal volunteers are deprived of the deepest level of dreamless sleep (Stage 4 sleep), they often develop a FMS like condition.
• Fibromyalgia Menu Neurology Web Forum - Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital
• British Columbia Fibromyalgia Society - the Association also aims to better educate the public, including doctors, health workers, governments and family members, about the effects of Fibromyalgia - and the need for support and a cure.
• National Fibromyalgia Association - The NFA is committed to efforts that will increase FM awareness and improve treatment options for people with Fibromyalgia.
• Fibromyalgia Patient Support Center
• The CFS FAQ
• The CFS FAQ - Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS, myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME and by many other names) is a complex and debilitating chronic illness that affects the brain and multiple body systems
• The Arthritis Foundation offers a Fibromyalgia Self-Help Course in many locations across the United States to help participants learn how to manage physical symptoms, exercise, control stress and find support from others. For a free Fibromyalgia brochure, contact your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, telephone 1-800-283-7800, or order it online.

Address all inquiries to Sister Leslie via the Feedback Form
Modified September 17, 2003.