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Joining a Support Group

by Ken P Doyle

A person suffering from bipolar mania may find it awfully difficult to cope with the sickness and function in their everyday life including their social relationships. It is crippling to the patient to have the hopeless feelings and lack of interest in life that this depression brings. While in the depression stage of bipolar, many patients commit suicide.

However, the opposite of depression is the mania stage which is an extremely high ecstatic feeling. The patient usually talks a lot, is overly excited, and may have an impractical view of his/her own abilities. The patient can be a danger to themselves or others during this stage as this rush of energy and state of excitement can lead to reckless behavior.

Joining a support group can help bipolar patients cope with these excessive mood swings. They can interact socially with others who have the same problems, discuss their own experiences and ways of dealing with them. It is useful to learn how others cope with their mania and depression or other problems.

It also shows a patient that they are not alone in the struggle to live and function with the disorder. You can gain hope for recovery, find motivation to keep following your treatment plan and learn to look forward to a brighter future with the support of others.

Substance Abuse

Many bipolar mania sufferers also use or abuse alcohol or other drugs in an effort to control their episodes. This will only make the problem worse and complicate treatment. In group therapy under the guidance of a professional or other moderator, the substance abuse problems are dealt with also. It is important to find the right treatment for your particular case.

Joining a support group will help with the substance abuse as well as other problems associated with this disorder. A support group is an important part of any treatment plan for bipolar mania. It offers moral and emotional support, which is a big help for the feelings of isolation bipolar patients face. Make friends that will be there for you in the future when you are having a problem.

Finding Help Online

Other sources that offer help for people struggling with symptoms bipolar mania are online support groups and forums. It is accessible at anytime of day in case they feel the need to interact and share their problems/experiences with others. They can learn how to cope with their moods and new ways to deal with their own problems by reading about other peoples problems and solutions. Making friends to share personal experiences and talking honestly about anything that comes to mind is also achieved by these sources. You can benefit from tips and advice other patients offer based on personal experience, whether online or offline.

Friends and family members of bipolar sufferers also benefit from joining a support group. It helps you learn new ways of offering help to your loved ones who have this disorder. With the terrible mood disorders that come with bipolar mania, it is honestly really difficult to witness a loved one struggle with it. You will understand bipolar better with the help of these support groups.

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Tags: Mental Health

2 Comments to “Joining a Support Group”

  1. on 02 Apr 2009 at 3:26 ammarilyngordon

    #exercise today = walk to grocery store and back w 43lbs groceries (cheap, I know) #health #fitness

  2. on 07 Apr 2009 at 5:30 amKevin Pedraja

    Putting the EW in eugenics.

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