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Building a support network can be a very helpful part of your treatment. The easiest way to start is to make good use of what’s already available.
Doctors, counselors, members of the local and national community, family, and friends are the foundation of support. Imagine yourself at the center of this community. Different people will support different parts of your life. But you are always the driving force. Only you can build and maintain this all-important community.
Your personal support network will depend on your preferences, stage of treatment, and your healthcare provider’s advice. Look over the following list to identify the kinds of support that may work best for you.
| Doctor |
Therapist |
Community |
Friends & Family |
Psychiatrist
Psychoanalyst
General practitioner
|
Psychologist
Clergy
Life coach
Social worker
Nurse
Counselor
|
Pharmacist
Church
Guidance counselor
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)*
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)*
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)*
International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (IFRED)*
Online support groups*
Local support groups*
12-step substance abuse programs*
|
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
Children
Grandparents
Close friends
Co-workers
Supervisor
|
*See Resources if you would like to contact these groups.
How support groups can help
People in a support group for bipolar disorder may know how you’re feeling. They may have had some of the same problems with family, friends, and co-workers.
They may also have struggled with substance-abuse problems. Getting support and practical advice from people who have “been there” may help. Your group members may be able to teach you practical coping skills.
It may also feel good to open up to people who understand. Even if your family and friends are trying to help, it may feel as though they don’t understand because they haven’t had similar experiences.
Meeting people with bipolar disorder may help you feel better about yourself. You may see that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’ll see that people with bipolar disorder can lead normal lives.
How to find a group
Ask your doctor or counselor for the names of support groups in your area. Keep in mind that support groups can’t replace counseling or medical care. Support groups are also different from group counseling, since they usually aren’t run by a professional.
Also of Interest
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