NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The number of teenagers who have experienced mania -- a hallmark of bipolar disorder -- is close to the number of adults estimated to have the mood disorder, suggesting that for many the condition begins during adolescence, according to a new study.

"The traditional wisdom has been that mania begins in your 20s and 30s," said Kathleen Ries Merikangas, the study's lead author and chief of the genetic epidemiology branch at the National Institute of Mental Health. Learn more: 

The best of news and research articles from publications nationwide, as selected by the The Balanced Mind Foundation, updated weekly.

CHICAGO, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Balanced Mind Foundation’s “Bringing Hope Home” luncheon on April 19 featured expert speakers and powerful personal stories about the life-saving importance of educating and empowering parents raising children with mood disorders.

Mark your calendars for an informative event addressing bullying and the emotional distress it can cause on children and families. You will hear insights from two speakers who are recognized for their knowledge and experience with bullying, children's education and mental health research. 

School Staff Can Aid Treatment of Psychotic Children

"Family and school intervention programs can emphasize psychoeducation, the need to identify warning signs, stress management techniques, the importance of attributing maladaptive behavior to the illness rather than to "bad behaviors" or "laziness," communication skills training, and the reduction of high expressed emotion, the researchers noted."

A research study with the aim of assessing  the efficacy and safety of subcallosal cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation in patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression with either major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar II disorder (BP).

The Balanced Mind Foundation is committed to providing parents with current information about treatments and resources that have a proven track record of success.  To learn more we sat down individually with three leading clinicians who are pioneering the charge to include your entire family in therapy.  While the approaches differ in some important respects, they all share the common goal of working with kids with bipolar disorder in an inclusive family context.  Learning about these approaches to therapy will provide parents with the information they need to seek the treatment approach that best suites the needs of their child and their family.

The Balanced Mind Foundation is committed to providing parents with current information about treatments and resources that have a proven track record of success.  To learn more we sat down individually with three leading clinicians who are pioneering the charge to include your entire family in therapy.  While the approaches differ in some important respects, they all share the common goal of working with kids with bipolar disorder in an inclusive family context.  Learning about these approaches to therapy will provide parents with the information they need to seek the treatment approach that best suites the needs of their child and their family.

The Balanced Mind Foundation 2010 Form 990

On Friday, November 25, The Balanced Mind Foundation lost one of our bright and shining stars. Roberta Eldridge, longtime member and volunteer, passed away after a lengthy illness.  Our community mourns her loss and celebrates the tremendous gifts she shared with us over the years.