All articles tagged with #bipolar disorder
Large-scale analyses of over 1 million people across 14 psychiatric conditions identify five shared genetic signatures that drive most risk, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder sharing about 70% of their genetic signal. The findings suggest common biological pathways across disorders, challenging traditional separate diagnoses and hinting at unified treatments targeting pleiotropic genetic factors.
A Brain Medicine review of six randomized trials (238 participants) finds mixed evidence that creatine, a brain-energy booster, can help depression: some small studies show benefit in women with major depressive disorder when added to escitalopram or CBT, others show no effect, and a bipolar-depression trial raised safety concerns about mood switching. The studies are small and heterogeneous, so researchers urge larger, longer trials across diverse groups and testing creatine with established treatments; creatine is not yet a proven depression treatment.
New research argues that low-dose lithium, a long-used bipolar disorder drug, may slow Alzheimer's progression by boosting brain resilience and countering neuroprogression, acting on multiple pathways (BDNF, bcl-2, GSK-3) to promote neuroprotection. While traditional psychiatric doses carry risks to kidney and thyroid function, the study suggests much lower doses could offer benefits with fewer side effects, and experts emphasize that rigorous clinical trials are needed before any change in medical practice. The findings fuel interest in repurposing an affordable, widely available drug as part of a multi-target approach to dementia, but caution remains about safety and efficacy in older adults.
Lil Nas X says he's feeling better after rehab and a bipolar diagnosis, explaining he's now creating freely with less fear after years of public scrutiny, and addressing fans in a video after a social-media hiatus; the post highlights his recovery and ongoing prominence in music, including past Glastonbury moments.
Lil Nas X posted an Instagram video saying he’s been in rehab for months, returned home to Atlanta and LA, and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He’s now seeing a therapist and psychiatrist, says he’s feeling better and creating freely, and confirms new music is on the way, following past charges that led to a mental health diversion program intended to dismiss the case if he stays compliant.
David Harbour says a tabloid story alleging Millie Bobby Brown filed pages of harassment claims against him was false and triggered a mental-health breakdown; he talks about his bipolar disorder, how extreme stress can cause erratic behavior, and notes he and Brown remain professionally connected and supportive of each other.
British actress Hannah Murray (Gilly) says she spent years in a wellness cult after embracing meditation, suffered a psychotic break and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, leading to hospitalization. Now out of acting and the wellness scene, she warns about the seductive lure of quick-fix wellness and its pervasiveness in society.
Montreal-based actress Claire Brosseau, 49, is physically healthy but crippled by severe bipolar disorder and PTSD and has asked Ontario’s Superior Court for permission to die by medically assisted suicide. She has joined a lawsuit arguing that Canada’s MAID rules discriminate by excluding mental illness, has previously attempted suicide, and says she cannot endure the suffering. If granted, she would die in a hospital to donate her organs and wishes to be alone at the end to spare loved ones, while doctors are divided on MAID in mental illness cases.
Kanye West released a Wall Street Journal apology ad attributing harmful behavior to a four‑month bipolar manic episode, a move that has split mental‑health experts between empathy and skepticism. Some see it as a vulnerable, sincere acknowledgment that aligns with bipolar reality, while others call it a strategic excuse or cop‑out. The debate reflects broader public difficulty in processing celebrity mental illness, even as West’s new album Bully streams strongly but not at the peak levels of his past releases.
Barret Robbins, the former Raiders All-Pro center who left the team hotel before the 2003 Super Bowl and later battled bipolar disorder, died in his sleep at 52; his death was confirmed by Tim Brown, with no cause disclosed. Robbins played nine seasons in Oakland and was a 2002 first-team All-Pro.
Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who left the Wolverines amid a bipolar-disorder diagnosis and personal turmoil, returned to pursue an NFL career after treatment, hospitalization, and grounding through his foundation work in Uganda. The feature traces his adoption from Uganda, his rise as a college star, the mental-health crisis that followed, his involuntary hospital check, a medical retirement, and his disciplined comeback plan focused on sleep, routine, and serving others with mood disorder awareness, all leading to a renewed path toward the NFL.
The Stanley Family Foundation will donate $280 million to the Broad Institute to advance genetic and genomic research into bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, expanding the Stanley Center’s work and providing stable funding amid uncertain federal support.
Two identical psychiatric wards in Trondheim were split into blue-light–depleted evenings vs. standard lighting; patients in the circadian-adapted ward showed greater symptom improvement and less aggression, though length of stay was similar, suggesting lighting design could be a scalable, drug-free way to support mood and behavior in mental health care with potential wider use in dementia care.
Robert Carradine died on February 23, 2026, at age 71, by suicide (hanging). The death certificate confirms he was cremated and his ashes are to be scattered at sea; he was taken to a Los Angeles hospital after the incident. His family says he struggled with bipolar disorder, and his brother publicly spoke about the illness, while a director on one of his final films noted concerns for him.
Lady Gaga says a controversial drug helped her mental health, including filming A Star Is Born while on lithium. The article contrasts prescription lithium carbonate—dosed by psychiatrists and linked to side effects—with lithium orotate, an over‑the‑counter, low‑dose supplement marketed as a cheaper alternative. Prescribed doses are typically 600–1,800 mg daily, while supplements run around 1–5 mg daily. While some experts and studies note mood‑stabilizing and potential neuroprotective benefits, safety concerns persist and most doctors warn that low‑dose lithium is not a substitute for medical care. The piece also references water‑borne lithium research and a Harvard study on dementia, underscoring the need for medical guidance before starting any supplement.