Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder & Depression

Young man looking out the windowAnxiety, bipolar disorder and depression are considered mood disorders. The disorder affects almost one in ten adults. A person with an anxiety disorder feels so much distress that it keeps them from leading a normal life. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes a person’s mood to go through extreme ups and downs. People suffering from depression have long periods of feeling sadness and hopelessness. Symptoms of mood disorders can be managed by therapy or medication, or both. For financial assistance with managing your condition, see our page on Free & Discounted Services.

Managing Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder or Depression

Managing an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression can be a confusing experience for newly diagnosed patients and their caregivers. To learn about the specific kinds of providers that might make up your health care team, as well as the services, programs, support groups, and organizations that can help you manage these mental health disorders, visit the Managing an Anxiety Disorder page, Managing Bipolar Disorder page, or Managing Depression page.

Support Groups & Forums

These sites allow patients to discuss their experiences with illnesses, treatments, and other health matters. Any information or opinions posted are those of the forum users themselves and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Mobile Apps & Tools

Mobile apps and tools give you easy-to-use information and resources that can help you get and stay healthy. For tips on choosing apps, see How to Choose a Good Health App by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Breathe2Relax is a stress management tool which provides detailed information on the effects of stress. It includes instructions for  breathing exercises. Free. iOS, Android.

T2 Mood Tracker allows users to monitor their moods on six pre-loaded scales (anxiety, stress, depression, brain injury, post-traumatic stress, general well-being) or custom scales. Free. iOS, Android, and Kindle.

WhatsMyM3 assesses a user’s risk of anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or PTSD. Results can be tracked over time. Free. iOS, Android.

The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers as an accessory to treatment. The VHB contains simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. Free. iOS, Android.

 

 

Resources selected by Terri Ottosen, Health Sciences Library, UNC-Chapel Hill,
Last reviewed January 23, 2024

Last updated January 23, 2024 at 5:24 pm