New bipolar disorder treatments tested

[TZ]

NEW YORK - Scientists are testing seasickness patches and other surprising options in a challenging search for new ways to treat the crushing depression and uncontrolled mania of bipolar disorder.

Also called manic-depression, it's an illness that can rip careers and marriages apart and drive people to suicide. And it's so complex and mysterious that researchers haven't developed a medication specifically for it since lithium, more than half a century ago.

Yet bipolar appears in various forms and severity in about 1 in every 25 American adults at some point in their lives, according to a major study published in May.

Current medicines help, but often fall short.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070902/ap_on_he_me/treating_bipolar
As someone who has at LEAST one bipolar family member (if not more) I hope with all my heart that they can find a really good treatment for this terrible mental illness. I am currently getting a first hand lesson on how this disease can affect more than just the individual who is sick....

:(