Besides the everyday medication that must be taken by a bipolar disorder victim, bipolar support groups allow those who share a common diagnosis or interest to come together. They come together to share ideas on how to cope, but most importantly, to offer emotional support.  Most support groups are usually run by someone who has experience in these kinds of meetings. But this is not an important factor, because you as a mother or a patient can form a bipolar support group and help those that are interested to come together to just SHARE IDEAS.

Finding Suitable Place

Every group must have a place to meet and it can be in your garage, a hall or even inside your house. One important factor here is that it must be comfortable and available when you as a group need it. And your ideal sitting set up would be to sit in a circle rather than a church style setup.

Having 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 must stay inside the meeting.

No other sources: There should be no quoting from the bible or famous people, everything shared must be from personal experience.

No preaching: words such as “don’t do that”. “don’t do this,”must not be allowed.

Offer suggestions: these suggestions must be from personal experience like; I went through the same experience and I did this or my child had that same thing and I did this. Use non threatening suggestion.

No gossip: you must not allow anybody to drag somebody’s name down in these meetings.

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.

First  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

In some places support groups, also called special interest groups (SIG), form an integral part for many health organizations and a critical foundation for those trying to cope with the disorder. Support groups help fill the emptiness between medicine and the daily everyday struggles.  It generally helps patients to cope and also serve as educators and inform about the new advancements in bipolar treatment or therapies available.

Support Groups by Online

With modern technologies at our doorsteps, many have found this type of support network ideal for those living in rural areas or those who are scared of leaving their homes. Many use online support as a backup to the existing bipolar support groups in their area.