Bipolar support groups allow those who share a common diagnosis or interest to come together. This is besides the everyday medication that must be taken by a bipolar disorder victim, to offer emotional support. These people come together to share ideas and offer ideas on how to cope. While most support groups are usually led by someone who has experience in these kinds of meeting, it is not an important factor. What is important here is to just “SHARE IDEAS,” because mothers, parents or patients can form a bipolar support group and help those that are interested.
Suitable Meeting Place
In your garage, a hall or even inside your house, every group must have a place to meet and available when you as a group need it. Another important factor here is that it must be comfortable. Sitting in a circle rather than a church style setup is your ideal sitting set up.
Rules to be followed
You as a group can make your own rules as a group, but here are some that you can begin with:
Confidentiality: everything shared inside a meeting must not be said or used outside the meeting place.
No other sources: everything shared must be from personal experience. There should be no quoting from the bible or famous people, it must not be allowed into your meetings.
No preaching: not be tolerated are words such as don’t do this or don’t do that.
Offer suggestions: Use non threatening suggestion. All suggestions must be from personal experience like; “my child had that same thing and I did this” or “ I went through the same experience and I did this.”
No gossip: dragging somebody’s name down in these meetings must not be allowed.
JUST LISTEN: Most would come to a meeting not to have their problem solved but to have an opportunity to put out of their system all the frustrations of being involved with this mental illness. This cannot be emphasized enough.
Primary Goal
While providing important emotional support, the primary goal of most bipolar support groups is to ensure that no one living with bipolar disease or this mental condition feel alone again. Support groups are more than just a safety net for patients or caregivers for they can also improve the physical health and well being of those taking part.
Other Functions
A critical foundation for those trying to cope with the disorder, in some places bipolar support groups are also called special interest groups (SIG), who form an important part for many health organizations. Support groups help in the daily everyday struggles and fill the emptiness of having medication. Informing about the new advancements in bipolar treatment or therapies available, support groups generally helps patients to cope and serve as educators.
Online bipolar support groups
Many have found online support a great help, with modern technologies at our doorsteps. This online support network is ideal for those living in very remote areas or those who are scared of leaving the security of their homes. This online support can be a backup to the already existing bipolar support groups in the community.
Tags: bipolar, children, disorder, drugs, education, families, health, illness, sickness, symptoms
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