(English translation bellow)


Me gustaría obtener informacion para dos niveles de comprension
respecto de los siguientes temas (al final detallos cuales son estos
dos niveles):

TEMA GENERAL:
     Trastorno Bipolar con una mayor tendencia a depresiones.
        ( acompañado por muy pocos y leves episodios Hipomaníacos )

         ( me resulta muy importante reducir el espectro de la bipolaridad 
           al de aquellas relacionadas con una mayor tendencia a las
           depresiones )

PAUTAS mas ESPECIFICAS:
     Informacion General sobre el mismo.
     Un listado de las instituciones en el orden Internacional que gocen
       del mayor prestigio en este tema por sus investigaciones y contribucion 
       a la elaboración de tratamientos tanto a traves de terapias 
       psicologicas como farmacológicas.

     Un resumen general de los tratamientos farmacológicos.

     Un detalle haciendo foco particularmente en 
          Tratamientos farmacologicos con uso combinado de 
                Acido Valproico; y 
                Lamotrigina.

          Informacion sobre cuales son las razones puntuales y estudios
            que indicarían su posible efectividad.

          Tasa de Exito de estos tratamientos.

          Efectos deseado y un esquema lo mas detallado posible de como es 
            el proceso a traves del cual es que la droga manifiesta su 
            efecto positivo.

          La respuesta anterior me gustaría que me conduzca a poder saber 
            ¿Como hacer para darse cuenta si esta teniendo un efecto deseado?

          BIBLIOGRAFIA y REFERENCIAS:  Libros y sitios de Internet que sean 
            las principales fuentes de referencia en el tema para poder
            continuar yo con mayores aproximaciones al respecto sin correr el
            riesgo de tomar pobres o malas fuentes de informacion.

Toda esta informacion es para mi.

Yo poseo un trastorno bipolar con una tendencia predominante a las depresiones.

SINOPSIS y EVOLUCIóN particular de la enfermedad en mi:

Esto comenzo en 1997 (a mis 22 años)

En el periodo 1997 - 2006 (entre mis 22 y 30 años) la evolucion fue la siguiente:
   1997:  inicio de una terapia psicologico.
   1998:  Inicio de una terapia Psiquiatrica con antidepresivos (por 
             recomendacion del Psicologo (Licenciado por cierto) )
   1998:  Primer intento frustrado de suicidio que paso desapercibido.
   1999:  Internacion Psiquiatrica por depresion severa con ideas de Suicidio 
          Duracion: 45 dias
Mar 2000  Primera Internación Psiquiátrica a raiz del primer episodio de 
             Hipomanía. Este fue atribuido al efecto de Swicth Maniaco
             relacionado al tratamiento con antidepresivos.
          Ensayo y abandono de un tratamiento farmacologico a base de Litio.
          DURACION: 15 dias

Ago 2000  Segunda internacion Psiquiatrica, esta vez con intervencion 
             judicial, por una depresion severa con un segundo intento 
             frustrado de suicidio (mas serio que el primero).
          Inicio de un tratamiento a base de Valproato de Magnesio, que se
             mantendra hasta el presente.
          DURACION: 3 meses


Abr 2001  Segunda Internacion Piquiatrica por un episodio Hipomaníaco.
          DURACION: 15 dias

Dic 2001 Tercera y Ultima Internacion Piquiatrica por un episodio Hipomaníaco.
         DURACION: 15 dias



De ahi en adelante no tuve otras internaciones psiquiatricas ni
episodios de hipomania.
Lo que si tuve fueron episodios de depresiones de distinta intensidad.

2002  entre 8 y 12 depresiones menores (2 o 3 dias de ausentismo laboral).

2003  entre 6 y 12 depresiones menores (2 o 3 dias de ausentismo laboral).
      2 depresiones moderadas con internacion Domiciliaria
         DURACION: 15 dias cada una (15 dias de ausentismo laboral cada una)

2004  entre 6 y 12 depresiones menores (2 o 3 dias de ausentismo laboral).

2005  entre 4 y 8 depresiones menores (2 o 3 dias de ausentismo laboral).
      1 depresion moderada con internacion Domiciliaria.
           DURACION: 10 dias cada una (10 dias de ausentismo laboral cada una).
      2 depresiones moderadas sin internacion
           DURACION: 10 dias cada una (10 dias de ausentismo laboral
cada una)


Mi formacion es en el Area de la computacion cientifica, con lo cual
mi background esta muy alejado de los temas de la salud mental.

A pesar de esto ya hace casi 10 años que padezco de esta enfermedad y
he tenido una cantidad importante de oportunidades para ponerme en
tema.

Me interesaria por esto que me de infromacion en dos niveles de complejidad:

     Basico:  para recopilar y tener una vision general del tema de
manera comprensible por el comun de la gente
                (basado en informacion confiable).  Y para que en una
primera lectura yo pueda tener un acercamiento claro,
                sencillo y certero al tema.
     Intermedio:
              para que, dentro de mis conocimientos actuales, pueda,
dedicandole mas tiempo, tener una vision con mayor
              profundidad para poder tener un manejo mas serio de mi
enfermedad y los conocimientos actuales de la misma
              sin dejar pasar los detalles.

Desde ya Muchas gracias,

       Martin.
                Buenos Aires - Argentina












I would like to obtain data for two levels of understanding respect to
the following subjects (in the end I describe which are these two
levels):


GENERAL SUBJECT:  
        Bipolar Disorder with a greater tendency to depressions.  
		(accompanied by very few and slight Hipomaníac episodes) 		
		(it is very important to reduce the spectrum from general bipolarity
to the one of those related to
                  a greater tendency to the depressions) 


MORE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES:  

       General information on the subject.  

       A listing of the institutions at an International level that enjoy 
          greater prestige in this subject because of their
investigations and contribution to the
          elaboration of treatments both psicological therapies and
based on farmaceutical drugs.

       A general survey describing the existing treatments based on
farmaceutical drugs.

       A detail doing center particularly in farmaceutical Treatments
using a combination of:
            Valproic Acid;  and 
            Lamotrigina.  

       Information on studies or precise reasons that would indicate
their possible effectiveness.

       Rate of Success of these treatments.  

       A detail of the desired Effects and a detailed scheme of the
process thru which this effects
           show themselves.  I'd like to understand how is that the
drug is expected to work
           since its effect appears to me to be veeery subtle and to
little recognizable

       I hope the previous answer would lead me to a position in which
I could tell
            if the drug is having the desired effect or not.  Or if it
is having a partial
            effect  

       BIBLIOGRAFY and REFERENCES:  Books and Internet websites beiing
the main sources
           of reference in the subject in order for me to be able to
continue learning on
          the matter with greater depth and having better approaches
without running the
          risk of taking poor or bad sources of information.




All this information is for myself.  

I suffer a bipolar disorder with a predominant tendency to depression.  


SYNOPSIS of My EVOLUCIóN:  


The BD showed up at the begining of 1997 (in my 22 years) 


In the period 1997 - the 2006 (between my 22 and 30 years) the
evolution was as follows:


1997:  beginning of a psicological therapy.  

1998:  Beginning of a Psichiatric therapy with antidepressants 
           (by recommendation of the Psicoanalist (Licensed by the way)) 

1998:  First frustrated attempt of suicide going unnoticed.  

1999:  Psiquiatric internship because of a severe depression with Suicide ideas
         Duration:  45 days.

march 2000 
         Second Psychiatric Internment (First due to to a Hipomaníac episode ).  
         DURATION:  15 days

         This Maniac Swicth related to the treatment was attributed to
the antidepressants.
         At this time we Tested and abandoned of a farmacologic
treatment with Lithium.

Aug 2000 
         Third Psiquiatric internment, this time with juridic
intervention, (Second due to a
         severe depression) with a second frustrated attempt of
suicide (more serious than the first).
         DURATION:  3 months 

         Beginning of a treatment with Valproato of Magnesio, this
drug will be held until
         the present.  

April 2001 
         Fourth Piquiatrica Internment (Second because of a Hipomaníac episode).  
         DURATION:  15 days 

Dic 2001 
         Fifth and last Piquiatric Internment (third due to a
Hipomaníac episode).
         DURATION:  15 days 



From thereOf I did not have other psiquiatric internments nor episodes
of hipomania.
What I did have were episodes of depressions of different intensity:

2002 between 8 and 12 smaller depressions (2 or 3 days of labor absentism).  

2003 between 6 and 12 smaller depressions (2 or 3 days of labor absentism).  

     2 moderate depressions with Domiciliary internment 
     DURATION:  15 days each (15 days of labor absentism each) 

2004 between 6 and 12 smaller depressions (2 or 3 days of labor absentism).  

2005 between 4 and 8 smaller depressions (2 or 3 days of labor absentism).  

     1 moderate depression with Domiciliary internment.  
     DURATION:  10 days (10 days of labor absentism) 

     2 moderate depressions without internment 
     DURATION:  10 days each (10 days of labor absentism each) 



My Studies are in the Area of the Computer Sciences, with which my
background is veery moved away from the subjects of the mental health.

In spite of this it have already been almost 10 years I have been
suffering of this disease and I have had an important amount of
opportunities to get an acquainteance with the subject.

Because of this I'd be interested in being given with infromacion in
two levels of complexity:

     Basic:   in order to compile and to have one general vision of the subject 
                 in a way comprehensible by the common of people 
                 (based on reliable information).  In a way that at a
first reading
                 I can have a simple, certain and acurate approach to
the subject.

     Intermediate:  
                so that within my present knowledge, I'd be able to reach a vision 
                with a greater depth.
                At the same time being able to have better
oportunities of having a
                thorough handling of my disease.
                Lending me current knowledge on teh subject without
letting pass by the details.

Since now Thank you very much, 

                     Martin. 
                Buenos Aires - Argentina

Hello Martín,

  
 I have gathered various resources for you, however, this answer is
for informational purposes only. I urge you to speak to a mental
health professional for appropriate therapy.


About Bipolar Disorder
======================
   ?Bipolar disorder is a biphasic, chronic disorder. Therapeutic
objectives include suppression of acute mania, treatment of acute
depression, and protection from relapse (prophylaxis).4 Available
treatments for bipolar disorder vary in their effectiveness and in
patients? tolerance while achieving these objectives. For example,
some treatments for bipolar disorder are better at suppressing
affective symptoms ?above the baseline? of wellness (ie, bipolar
hypomania or mania) while others are more effective in relieving
symptoms of illness ?below the baseline? (ie, bipolar depression).
Unfortunately, no single medication is reliably effective at
accomplishing all therapeutic objectives. This realization has
revealed a need for safe and rational combination regimens for most
patients with bipolar disorder.

Most people with bipolar disorder, however, remain undiagnosed or
misdiagnosed in family practice.1-3,5-11 Recently, a screening
instrument has been validated and could assist family physicians in
detecting bipolar disorder.1-16 (See Piver et al1 for a helpful review
of diagnostic and screening devices in bipolar disorder for general
practitioners.) This article is intended to review the quality of
evidence of the efficacy of available medications for bipolar
disorder. Practical suggestions for medication combinations are also
presented.?
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2004/Mar/vol50-mar-cme-2.asp 



This site, from the American Psychiatric Association has numerous
links to many aspects of bipolar disorder. It is the best source I
have found for informative and accurate information.
http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/pg/bipolar_revisebook_index.cfm


?Signs and symptoms of the manic phase (Bipolar I): 
?	euphoria, feeling "high" 
?	agitation, edginess, irritability, restlessness 
?	racing thoughts, talkativeness 
?	increased energy, sleeplessness 
?	inflated self-esteem; grandiosity; poor judgment 
?	reckless spending sprees or other activities with high potential for
painful consequences
?	delusions or hallucinations 
?	drug or alcohol use 
?	increased sexual drive 
?	aggressive behavior 
?	inability to concentrate well 

?How is bipolar disorder diagnosed? 
There is no specific diagnostic test for bipolar disorder. It is
identified by behaviors often first noticed in adolescence and early
adulthood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder may be similar to those of
other conditions, such as schizophrenia, other anxiety or depressive
disorders, or alcohol or drug abuse. In children, bipolar disorder may
appear similar to temper tantrums, ADHD, or oppositional or conduct
disorders. A psychiatrist is the most likely medical doctor to
determine the correct diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is important
because the use of the wrong medication sometimes can lead to more
serious symptoms. A medical evaluation should include an assessment of
thyroid and kidney function.?
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm


   ?Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness requiring long-term
treatment. Mood-stabilizer medications remain the mainstay of
treatment. Lithium's effectiveness has been well-established for more
than 30 years, and carbamazepine and valproate have also become widely
accepted first-line treatments in the past decade. In general, these
medications are effective in controlling symptoms of both depression
and mania or agitation.
Antidepressant medications used to treat unipolar depression are a
common supplement to mood stabilizers, but may actually trigger high
or manic episodes--especially if used alone. These treatments are at
least moderately effective for 50 to 75 percent of bipolar disorder
sufferers.?
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_6_34/ai_82261871


Prognosis
?With treatment, the outlook for bipolar disorder is favorable. Most
people respond to a medication and or combination of medications.
Approximately 50 percent of people will respond to lithium alone. An
additional 20 to 30 percent will respond to another medication or
combination of medications. Ten to 20 percent will have chronic
(unresolved) mood symptoms despite treatment. Approximately 10 percent
of bipolar patients will be very difficult to treat and have frequent
episodes with little response to treatment. On average, a person is
free of symptoms for about five years between the first and second
episodes. As time goes on, the interval between episodes may shorten,
especially in cases in which treatment is discontinued too soon. It is
estimated that a person with bipolar disorder will have an average of
eight to nine mood episodes during his or her lifetime.?
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/02/treating-bipolar-disorder/


?No one knows exactly what causes bipolar disorder. While genetic
vulnerability and life stress are involved in triggering it, experts
believe that an underlying imbalance of brain chemicals produces the
symptoms. When levels of these chemicals are too high, mania occurs.
When levels are low, there is depression.?
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/102/106779.htm

Another informative and scientific article on bipolar:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/Psychotherapy.htm


More about bipolar:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23037

http://newsletter.mydna.com/health/mental/bipolar





Treating Bipolar Disorder
=========================

?Although lithium is still the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration for both the treatment of acute mania and the
maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), it is not efficacious
for many people with BD, and its side effects are problematic for many
others. The search for alternative treatments for the 20% to 40% of
"classic" patients who do not respond adequately to lithium or cannot
tolerate it continues.

 Even more, nonclassic patients (for example, rapid-cyclers, patients
with mixed and dysphoric mania, and those with comorbid substance
abuse) seem even less likely to respond adequately to lithium. Because
a minority of patients with BD remain euthymic on lithium alone,
adjunctive treatments are also being studied.
Divalproex (Depakote) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) are approved for the
treatment of acute mania, but no trial has shown their efficacy in
prophylaxis. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) continues to be employed for
acute mania, bipolar depression and maintenance treatment, but
rigorous studies have not produced consistent, positive results.
Investigators are now looking at newer anticonvulsants, such as
lamotrigine (Lamictal), gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax)
and tiagabine (Gabitril).?
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p010283.html


Non-medicine approaches to managing Bipolar Disorder
?	Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is used to treat severe mania and
severe depression - usually in situations where medication can't be
taken, such as due to side-effects, pregnancy, or where a person may
resist medication but be a danger to themselves (e.g. starving,
dehydrated, chronically abusing substances, banging head on wall,
etc.). There has been some negative press about the use of ECT,
however this is a safe and painless procedure which can be life-saving
for severe depression. It is now administered to very specific areas
of the brain so that side effects are limited or of very short
duration.

?	Complementary Medicines (not prescribed)
Herbal remedies and other natural supplements have not been well
studied and their effects on Bipolar Disorder are not fully
understood.
Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) are currently being studied to
find out if they may be useful for long-term treatment of Bipolar
Disorder.
St John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) is being studied for possible
use treating depression. However there is evidence that it can reduce
the effectiveness of some medications and can react with some
prescribed antidepressants, plus it may cause a mood swing into mania.

?	Hospitalisation
In some circumstances, there maybe a role for hospital care to ensure
that people receive the most appropriate treatment. A short hospital
stay of days or weeks may help in an emergency.
http://www.bipolar.com.au/understanding/treating.cfm


   ?Treatment for bipolar disorder includes medication, psychotherapy,
and, when necessary, electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT). Treating
the acute episode is similar to treating the underlying mood disorder
(continual), though there are differences between the two approaches.
Acute Treatment of Manic Episode 
The following drugs may be used to treat manic episodes: 
?	Lithium (Eskalith®) 
?	Valproate (Depakote®) 
?	Carbamazepine (Tegretol®) 
?	Olanzapine (Zyprexa®) 
?	Ziprasidone (Geodon®) 
These medications control mood swings and acute symptoms, manage
recurrences, reduce the risk of suicide, and restore a sense of
well-being.?
http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/bipolar/treatments.shtml


Medications:
http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/meds-bipolar.htm


Lamotrigine and Valproic Acid
?In patients taking valproic acid, the initial dose of lamotrigine is
25 mg every other day for two weeks, then 25 mg once daily for two
weeks, slowly increasing the dose (by 25 to 50 mg per day) every one
to two weeks) until a dose of 100 to 150 mg daily is reached. Standard
doses of lamotrigine are given twice daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Lamotrigine can interact with valproic acid. When
lamotrigine is begun in patients already receiving valproic acid, the
blood concentrations of valproic acid can decrease over a 3-week
period. This may result in loss of seizure control. The risk of severe
skin rash may be increased by combining lamotrigine with valproic
acid.?
http://www.medicinenet.com/lamotrigine/article.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11493167&dopt=Abstract



?The most common adverse effects observed with lamotrigine use
include? 5% include dizziness,ataxia, somnolence, headache, diplopia,
blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Dizziness,diplopia,
blurred vision, ataxia, nausea, and vomiting were associated with dose
escalationsespecially in patients concomitantly taking carbamazepine.

Lamotrigine is associated with high incidence of rash requiring
hospitalizations and discontinuationof treatment. The incidence of
these rashes, which have been associated with Steven?sJohnson
Syndrome, is approximately 1% (1/100) in pediatric patients (age < 16
years)and 0.3%(3/1000) in adults. The incidence of rash occurs at a
higher rate in patients concomitantlytaking valproic acid.?
http://www.aesnet.org/Visitors/ProfessionalDevelopment/MedEd/newppt/pharm/pharm27-28.pdf



The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lamotrigine
(LTG) on valproate (VPA) concentrations dependent on LTG dose, LTG
concentration, and additional enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs
(AED) as well. For this purpose the following patient groups were
compared: VPA monotherapy, VPA + one enzyme-inducing AED, VPA + LTG,
and VPA + LTG + one enzyme-inducing AED. A total of 400 serum
concentrations from 372 patients were evaluated. Two or more serum
samples from the same patient were considered only if the comedication
had been changed. For statistical evaluation, regression analytical
methods and an analysis of variance were performed. For the analysis
of variance, the VPA serum concentration in relation to VPA dose:body
weight (level:dose ratio, LDR) was calculated and compared for
different drug combinations. The analysis of variance revealed a
significant effect of enzyme-inducing comedication (as expected) and
age on the VPA LDR. Patients on LTG had a slightly lower VPA LDR, but
this effect was not statistically significant. In addition, nonlinear
regression analysis confirmed that patients on enzyme-inducing AED
(carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, methsuximide) had
significantly lower VPA concentrations.?
http://experts.about.com/q/Bipolar-Disorder-2192/lamictal-valproic-acid.htm



What other drugs will affect valproic acid?
	? 	Other drugs used to treat seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin),
carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), felbamate
(Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), clonazepam (Klonopin), and others
may increase or decrease the effects of valproic acid and may
themselves have increased or decreased effectiveness. Tell your doctor
about all other medications that you are taking.
	? 	Before taking valproic acid, tell your doctor if you are taking
warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. Valproic acid may interact with these
medications and affect clotting of the blood. You may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking
either of these drugs.
	? 	Valproic acid may interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness,
including alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, pain relievers,
anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation,
dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if valproic acid is taken with
alcohol or any of these medications. Talk to your doctor before taking
valproic acid in combination with alcohol or any other medicines.
	? 	Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with valproic
acid. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/valproic_acid.html



?MRI scan shows promise in treating bipolar disorder 
Accidental discovery made at McLean Hospital?
http://www.researchmatters.harvard.edu/story.php?article_id=746
Mental Disorders in Latin America
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=34832





A worldwide list of hospitals treating and researching bipolar
disorder. Unfortunately there are no links. Entering the name of the
institute into Google will return an address.
http://www.stanleyresearch.org/programs/stanley_research.asp




Mood Disorders Clinic
Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (617) 355-6000 

National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)
Biological Psychiatry Branch
Building 10, Room 3N212
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 496-6827 or (800) 4ll-l222 (Recruitment and Referral)
Email: prcc@cc.nih.gov 

Stanford Bipolar Disorders Clinic
401 Quarry Road
Stanford, CA 94305-5723
Phone: (650) 498-4689
Fax: (65) 723-2507
Email: bipolar.clinic@forsythe.stanford.edu 

The Stanley Clinical Research Center
Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland
Department of Psychiatry
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone: (216) 844-3880
Fax: (216) 844-1703 

The Stanley Center for the Innovative Treatment of Bipolar Disorders
3811 O'Hara Street, Suite 279
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 624-2476 or (800) 424-7657
Fax: (412) 624-0493 

Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network
5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (800) 518-7326
Fax: (301) 571-0768
Email: info@bipolarnetwork.org 

This is a multi-center research effort, including the Stanley
Foundation Center at Johns Hopkins University, NIMH, and several other
institutions.
University of Texas Southwestern Bipolar and Research Program
8267 Elmbrook Drive, Suite 250
Dallas, TX 75247
Phone: (214) 689-3765
Fax: (214) 689-3751
Email: mwestl@mednet.swmed.edu
Contact: Mary Ann Westlake 
http://www.oreilly.com/medical/bipolar/news/resources.html#facilities

University of California, San Diego
http://health.ucsd.edu/news/2005/12_05_Judd.htm


This site allows you to choose a state in the US to locate facilities
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/

A list of treatment and research facilities in the US
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/cat20.html


Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Argentina
http://www.expertmapper.com/cgi-bin/ef.cgi?pg=sb&X=x%7Cbipth&B=c%7Car



Why not try local mental health facilities? Why not ask your physician
for a referral to a mental health professional in your home town,
before seeking care in a foreign country?

?There are more psychologists in Argentina per capita -- 111 for every
100,000 inhabitants -- than in any country in the world except
Uruguay, Argentina's small neighbor. New York and Buenos Aires are
neck-and-neck for the distinction of being the city with the most
psychotherapists, including psychologists and psychiatrists, over all.
And the number of Argentine psychologists is growing, from 5,500 in
1974, to 20,100 in 1985, to an estimated 37,000 today. There are also
more than 2,500 psychoanalysts with medical degrees in Argentina.
''Argentines are passionate about understanding themselves and making
their lives better and happier through self-knowledge,'' said Lucia R.
Martinto de Paschero, president of the Argentine Psychoanalytic
Association.?
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DC1038F93AA15756C0A96E958260&sec=health&pagewanted=1


Centro Interamericano de Investigaciones Psicológicas y Ciencias Afines
Tte. Gral. J.D. Perón 2158
(C1040AAH) - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
República Argentina
TE / Fax: +54 11 4953 1477/3541
http://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S0325-82032004000200001&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en


ARGENTINA
Department of Mental Health University Hospital
Escuela de Enfermeria de la Facultad de Ciencias Medicas 
Federacion Argentina de Camaros y Asociaciones Psiquiatrices
Fundacion Acta, Fonde para la Salud Mental 
Pan American Health Organization
Sociedad Psiquiatria La Plata
http://www.wfmh.org/wmhday/wmhdfrench2002/2002endorsers.html#argentina


Books:
=====
DSM-IV
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0890420254/sr=8-1/qid=1145174006/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3232426-5504057?%5Fencoding=UTF8

BiPolar Survival Guide
http://www.psychologynet.org/bipolar1.html

The Bipolar Advantage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977442306/qid=1145174039/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-3232426-5504057?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

?Enfermedad depresiva, guía para el paciente y la familia
El psiquiatra de la U. de Chile, doctor Pedro Retamal, publicó
recientemente un texto destinado a informar, en términos simples y
accesibles, sobre la enfermedad depresiva y su tratamiento.

El libro, de 170 páginas, recoge las causas neurobiológicas y
psicogénicas de la enfermedad; profundiza en sus síntomas y tipos; la
relaciona con el duelo; se detiene en la depresión enmascarada; se
refiere a la depresión crónica y bipolar; ahonda en el manejo
psicosocial de la patología; desarrolla varios capítulos sobre los
tratamientos, incluidos los menos convencionales, y ofrece consejos
generales para el paciente y su familia.?
http://www.med.uchile.cl/boletin/2006/enero/pag24.html



Reliable Sources in Spanish:
Recursos de confianza:
============================


http://www.drromeu.net/trastorno_bipolar.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/000926.htm

http://www.bipolares.cl/bipo1.htm

http://www.saludhoy.com/htm/psico/articulo/enfbipo2.html



I hope this has helped you out! Please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating, and allow me to respond. I will be glad
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Sincerely, Crabcakes



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