Introduction

Up to 4% of people in the US live with bipolar disorder, what used to be called manic depression. Many people with bipolar disorder wait years between experiencing their first symptoms and receiving an accurate diagnosis. The general public perception that bipolar disorder is always severe and untreatable is both harmful and out of date. Dr. David Mclewitts treats and conducts research with people who have bipolar disorder and their families. Writer and Mental Health Advocate, Terry Cheney has chronicled her lifelong experience with bipolar disorder in three books.