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Bipolar Disorder Support Groups

Bipolar support groups can be found in virtually every state in the United States. Because Bipolar Disorder affects more than two million adults in America, this should not be a surprise. However, it may be a little more difficult to find a support group in your city, or somewhere close to you. In this case, it may be easier for you to find a bipolar support group on-line, or to participate in an on-going bipolar chat room on the Internet.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) claims a network of over one thousand chapters and support groups across the country. They currently have bipolar support groups in every state in the United States except North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.

DBSA even has a chapter in Hawaii! They also have chapters in Canada and other non-USA locations. These chapters are all listed on the Internet, or you can call DBSA directly at: 1-800-826-3632, to find the closest DBSA support group to you.

Community bipolar support groups provide a caring environment in which you don’t have to feel alone—supportive surroundings for people to come together and discuss their common problems and day-to-day challenges of living with Bipolar Disorder.

Since confidentiality is a high priority in all support groups, it makes it easier to open up and share personal thoughts and feelings.

Bipolar support groups are not a group therapy session, although by sharing common problems with each other, sometimes people provide answers for each other’s questions. The support group provides a forum for mutual understanding and self-discovery where people gain encouragement from each other.

We all need support from people who have been there and who understand our journey. Knowing that everyone in the support group has also been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and is going through the same problems helps to pull down that wall of fear, and helps even the most reluctant person to open up to the group.

Bipolar support groups are usually peer-run (volunteer), although sometimes there may be guest speakers such as mental health professionals from the community. They may have information, tips, techniques, and even self-experience to share with you to help you manage your own disorder.

Some chapters offer services in addition to their support groups, such as educational sessions, newsletters, lending libraries and special events. Some offer information on mental health professionals in your area for referrals, or upcoming mental health events that you might be interested in attending.

Support groups for Bipolar Disorder, whether in-person or on-line, are not a substitute for professional care, but they do provide the kind of sharing and encouragement necessary to help in traveling down this sometimes lonely and frightening road of Bipolar Disorder recovery.

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This Week's Bipolar News

Overeating and substance abuse are similar disorders
Los Angeles Times
People with bipolar disorder have higher-than-average rates of obesity and substance abuse. But McIntyre found that the obesity rate in bipolar patients was ...

Club stoush bowls out member
The Advertiser
A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Mom abandons 18-year-old under Nebraska safe-haven law
Richmond Times-Dispatch
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. The woman told officials at BryanLGH Medical Center West that her daughter, who was adopted, is bipolar and has a learning disability, Assistant Police Chief Jim Peschong said today.

Click here for all Bipolar News.

Featured Article:

Romancing Your Spouse

"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

Click here to read the entire aritcle

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