QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
Depression and Anxiety
Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking
behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.
Question
Could you please send me in the right direction for bi-polar disorder. I have been told it is possible
that my 28 yr old son may have this. He has outbursts and says off the wall things.
Answer
Seeking help for someone is an act of love. For your situation, one of the best websites to
explore might be Depression Central. It's a website written by Ivan Goldberg, M.D. Try using a
search engine and type in "Ivan Goldberg."
Another option is try our links and lists section of the zine, and look for websites related to
depression: Resource Department
Yet another option is to join the newsgroup for bipolar disorder. I think one of the
better-known ones is called pendulum. There are many, so be sure to sample around and find one
that you like best. These are groups of people dealing with a similar life circumstance, either
themselves, or in family members and friends.
You may also want to consider seeking the help of a qualified professional in your area.
There is no substitute for a trained professional who listen to the details of your exact situation, and
can take the time to help you decide how to best proceed. All problems have hidden complications
and solutions that take time to expose, evaluate, and experiment. If finances are a problem, many
services are available for free through referrals from hot lines, psychological associations, and
mental health clinics.
Your son is lucky to have someone who is concerned enough to look for help. I applaud
your efforts on his behalf. Best of luck to you.
02/20/98
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