You’ve got medical questions, we know just who to prescribe: Dr. Art Ulene. Dr. Ulene is an AARP Foundation board member and is deeply committed to our efforts to improve the health and well-being of all seniors. He has appeared on NBC’s Today Show and has led several national campaigns promoting health.

Q What resources are available for people who must live with family members suffering from Bipolar Disorder?

A Many resources are immediately available to you. Unfortunately, a very large proportion of them cannot be trusted—particularly those on the Internet. My “net” search using the terms “bipolar disorder” and “resources” produced 477,000 listings. I looked at only the first 10—all of which were selling something or promoting specific prescription drugs on their front page. (Beware of so-called mental health sites that carry advertising for any remedies—medicinal or “natural.”)

For the most complete and trustworthy source of information and resources, I once again recommend MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You will find MedlinePlus at www.nlm.nih.gov. If you don’t have a computer at home, ask a family member, friend or your local librarian to find this site for you.

At MedlinePlus, the search term “bipolar disorder” produced a wealth of information and led me directly to the following organizations you can contact for information and/or support:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
www.dbsalliance.org
Phone: (800) 826-3632

Mental Health America
www.nmha.org
Phone: (800) 969-6642  TTY: (800) 433-5959

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
www.nami.org
Phone: (703) 524-7600

These organizations also have online stores where you can buy scientifically sound books on bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. I particularly recommend An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, and The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know.

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