Hello Reddit! We are psychiatrists/psychologists, researchers, and people living with bipolar disorder representing the CREST.BD network.

March 30th is World Bipolar Day - and this is our FOURTH annual World Bipolar Day AMA. This year we’ve put together the largest team we’ve ever had: 44 panelists from 9 countries with expertise in different areas of mental health and bipolar disorder. We’re here to answer as many questions as you can throw at us!

Here are our 44 experts (click on their name for proof photo and full bio):

1. Alessandra Torresani, 🇺🇸 Actress & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
2. Andrea Paquette, 🇨🇦 Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
3. Dr. Annemiek Dols, 🇳🇱 Psychiatrist
4. Dr. Ben Goldstein, 🇨🇦 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
5. Dr. Chris Gorman, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
6. Don Kattler, 🇨🇦 Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
7. Dr. Emma Morton, 🇦🇺 Psychologist & Researcher
8. Dr. Erin Michalak, 🇨🇦 Researcher & CREST.BD founder
9. Dr. Fabiano Gomes, 🇨🇦 Academic Psychiatrist
10. Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
11. Dr. Georgina Hosang, 🇬🇧 Research Psychologist
12. Glorianna Jagfeld, 🇬🇧 Researcher
13. Prof. Greg Murray, 🇦🇺 Psychologist & Researcher
14. Dr. Ivan Torres, 🇨🇦 Clinical Neuropsychologist
15. Dr. Ives Cavalcante Passos, 🇧🇷 Psychiatrist
16. Dr. Jorge Cabrera, 🇨🇱 Psychiatrist
17. Dr. Kamyar Keramatian, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
18. Keri Guelke, 🇨🇦 Outreach Worker & Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
19. Dr. Lisa Eyler, 🇺🇸 Researcher
20. Dr. Lisa O’Donnell, 🇺🇸 Social Worker & Researcher
21. Louise Dwerryhouse, 🇨🇦 Writer & Social Worker (Lives w/ bipolar)
22. Dr. Luke Clark, 🇨🇦 Researcher
23. Dr. Madelaine Gierc, 🇨🇦 Psychologist & Researcher
24. Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona, 🇲🇽 Psychiatrist
25. Dr. Mollie M. Pleet, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
26. Natasha Reaney, 🇨🇦 Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
27. Dr. Nigila Ravichandran, 🇸🇬 Psychiatrist
28. Dr. Paula Villela Nunes, 🇧🇷 Psychiatrist & Researcher
29. Raymond Tremblay, 🇨🇦 Writer & Peer Researcher (Lives w/ bipolar)
30. Dr. Rebekah Huber, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
31. Dr. Rob Tarzwell, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
32. Rosemary Hu, 🇨🇦 Poet & Educator (Lives w/ bipolar)
33. Ruth Komathi, 🇸🇬 Counsellor (Lives w/ bipolar)
34. Dr. Sagar Parikh, 🇺🇸 Psychiatrist
35. Dr. Sarah H. Sperry, 🇺🇸 Researcher
36. Dr. Sheri Johnson, 🇺🇸 Psychologist
37. Dr. Serge Beaulieu, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
38. Dr. Steven Barnes, 🇨🇦 Instructor & Artist (Lives w/ bipolar)
39. Dr. Steve Jones, 🇬🇧 Researcher
40. Dr. Tamsyn Van Rheenen, 🇦🇺 Researcher
41. Tera Armel, 🇨🇦 Mental Health Advocate (Lives w/ bipolar)
42. Dr. Thomas Richardson, 🇬🇧 Clinical Psychologist (Lives w/ bipolar)
43. Dr. Trisha Chakrabarty, 🇨🇦 Psychiatrist
44. Victoria Maxwell, 🇨🇦 Mental Health Educator & Performing Artist (Lives w/ bipolar)

People with bipolar disorder experience the mood states of depression and mania (or hypomania). These mood states bring changes in activity, energy levels, and ways of thinking. They can last a few days to several months. Bipolar disorder can cause health problems, and impact relationships, work, and school. But with optimal treatment, care and empowerment, people with bipolar disorder can and do flourish.

CREST.BD approaches bipolar disorder research from a unique perspective. Everything we do–from deciding what to study, conducting research, and publishing our results–we do hand-in-hand with people with bipolar disorder. We also produce digital health tools to share science-based treatments and strategies for keeping mentally well.

We host our regular Q&A livestreams with bipolar disorder experts all year round at www.TalkBD.live - we hope to stay in touch with you there. You can also find our updates, social media and events at linktr.ee/crestbd!

UPDATE: Thank you for your questions. We'll be back again next year on World Bipolar Day! Take care everyone :)