Bipolar Expert Jerry Kennard shares Bipolar management news and commentary at BipolarConnect.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/102656/combination-single Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:45:58 -0500 Jerry Kennard A two year trial comparing relapse rates from people taking either sodium valporate, or lithium plus valporate, has concluded the combination therapy reduces the likelihood of a bipolar relapse.   Results of the trial published in the medical journal The Lancet, suggests the more common practice of prescribing valporate (Depakote) alone for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder may need to be revised.   The use of a range of... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/102656/combination-single http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/99845/antiepileptic-drugs Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:53:21 -0500 Jerry Kennard Despite existing warnings that people being treated with antiepileptic drugs have an enhanced suicidal risk, evidence suggests these drugs are not linked to suicide among those with bipolar disorder. In fact recent evidence suggests that epilepsy drugs actually decrease the risk of suicide in people with bipolar disorder.   A report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry focuses on nearly 48,000 bipolar patients in a... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/99845/antiepileptic-drugs http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/97128/approved-disorder Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:41:18 -0500 Jerry Kennard The Food and Drug Administration has approved Geodon (Ziprasidone) as a maintenance treatment for bipolar I disorder.   After a six month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 240 patients, results showed that Geodon with lithium or valporate was superior to placebo plus lithium or valporate. In the six months of treatment, 20 per cent of patients in the  Geodon trial needed treatment intervention compared with 32 per... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/97128/approved-disorder http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/95001/bipolar-disorder Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:40:27 -0500 Jerry Kennard When it comes to the issues that trigger a bipolar episode, sleep disturbance is one of the likely causes. However, disruptions in the circadian rhythm (our 24 hour body clock) are thought to be particularly influential in the onset of rapid mood cycles associated with bipolar disorder in children.   Alexander Niculescu, from Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, and colleagues, recently reported variations in the... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/95001/bipolar-disorder http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/93434/rapid-antipsychotic Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:31:01 -0500 Jerry Kennard Weight gain has long been recognized as a common and unwelcome side effect of many medications. Last week, Duff Wilson of the New York Times, reported the findings of a recent study showing alarming rates of weight gain in children and adolescents who take some of the most popular ‘new generation' drugs for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.   The study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, found that 257... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/93434/rapid-antipsychotic http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/92435/reducing-costs Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:08:56 -0400 Jerry Kennard It may be something you said, or something you did, but nearly everyone who experiences hypomania or mania has a story or two about the darker side. Grand plans, risky investments, financial donations, hurtful comments, affairs, turning to drink, aggression, these are just a few of the possibilities. Such indiscretions may be minor or they may have huge consequences for the person with bipolar or others. Either way, anything that can help reduce... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/92435/reducing-costs http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/91308/depression Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:37:09 -0400 Jerry Kennard The term prodrome derives from the Greek prodromos meaning ‘ahead of'. In medicine it refers to a symptom or set of symptoms that precede the main symptoms of an illness. In relation to the onset of depression some prodromes are common while others are unique to the individual; this combination is sometimes referred to as a ‘relapse signature'.   Recognizing your own relapse signature comes with time and experience. The most... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/91308/depression http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/90369/combating-lethargy Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:48:22 -0400 Jerry Kennard The early symptoms of depression are sometimes hard to detect. At first they can appear as little more than a lack of energy or motivation and mood may simply appear like an off-day, to which we're all entitled. However, if these days become more regular it can be a sign that a depressive episode is on its way.   There is sufficient evidence pointing to the fact that giving into the early signs of depression can result in a longer and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/90369/combating-lethargy http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/89325/dysthymic-disorder Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:44:00 -0400 Jerry Kennard Most people experience some level of low mood. A proportion of these will find their low mood develop into depression. A proportion of these will find their depressive episode never quite seems to subside to a point where they feel properly recovered. Symptoms that continue for at least two years could be a sign of dysthymic disorder.   The term dysthymic refers to a mild and ongoing form of depression in which events and situations are... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/89325/dysthymic-disorder http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/87599/crossing-bipolar Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:13:23 -0400 Jerry Kennard A while ago I received a lengthy email from the relative of someone with bipolar disorder. The person wanted to know whether it was possible to discriminate between ‘bipolar and non-bipolar behavior'. Then, within the context of bipolar, a central question emerged as to whether there was ever a point where someone with bipolar could ‘cross the line' with how they behave.   I've noticed similar questions come from people in... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7712/87599/crossing-bipolar