Bipolar Support Group

Wonder how we would all do together in real life - would we be as supportive? Would we cry openly? Would we need rules?

There is none that I can find in my own city, but I am considering forming one. I feel isolated and can't help but feel that being around kindred spirits might at least get my ass out of the house...I need to start moving in my life instead of standing still.

I attended my town's DBSA (Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance) support group for a few years. I'd still be going, but it starts at 7:30 pm and I'm usually tired at that time. It is a peer run support group. It's not that unlike here. After general announcements people introduce themselves, give mood rating, sleep info, main stressor info and then a suggested topic (if they have one). The rest of the meeting focuses on discussing the topics. You can certainly start your own DBSA support group. I knew of someone who did.

DBSA also has an online support group which meets at given times and is like a multi person chat.

There are also NAMI support groups, but as far as I know they are mostly geared towards family members. I think they have at least 1 meeting for "consumers" as they call them. That would include people with various mental illnesses including schizophrenia.

I belong to NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), one of the largest mental health advocate organizations in the country. I joined after attending a few meetings with the local support group. NAMI's primary goals is, in addition to lobbying for mental health 'consumers' (those of us with an illness), to educate and support the mentally ill (HATE that term/label) and the people who support them.

Unfortunately, the support group in my area is primarily there to assist and educate people with a loved one/friend/etc. who has an illness. I am the only one who has attended since last March who actually has an illness. At first I was thrilled because I felt one step closer to others who shared my experiences but that soon faded. Hearing and seeing the heartache of parents with loved ones who have bp and schizophrenia broke my heart. I tried to offer advice and info based on my firsthand experience and have received very positive feedback but... Three months ago (monthly meetings) I broke down during a meeting while a new couple were begging for help. Their adult son, who lives a state away, was rapidly deteriorating and refusing treatment. It triggered a mild cycle so I didn't go for two months. I did go last month and after hearing one of the members continuously refer to those of us with bp as 'they' I decided that I was done. I know it wasn't meant to be hurtful but it did. No, I didn't say anything to him, I just wasn't in a place where I would have been able to maintain my composure. We all have our limits right?

I mentioned it to my pdoc while discussing my need for more social interaction and he mentioned that the clinic was in the planning stages of starting a peer to peer support group. I am hoping it comes to fruition. I'm not sure that meeting face to face with others that are afflicted with bp will fill one of the 'holes' I feel inside but I'm hoping and desperate to find out.

Hope this helps you. Take care.

Eric

We would probably need a professional to oversea the program - and have some house rules. I vote for Dr. Drew!