How to create your own Support Groups
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.
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.
Having Rules to be followed
There are some important points that must be emphasized every time you meet, beside the ones you as a group will make later on:
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: not be tolerated are words such as don’t do this or don’t do that.
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: 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
Ensuring no one living with bipolar disease or this mental condition feel alone again, the primary goal of most bipolar support groups is to provide important emotional support. Support groups can improve the physical health and well being of those taking part and a safety net for patients and caregivers.
Other Functions
In some places bipolar 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.
Online bipolar support groups
With modern technologies at our doorsteps, many have found online support a great help. This type of support network is ideal for those living in rural areas or those who are scared of leaving the security of their homes. Many use online support as a backup to their existing bipolar support groups in their community.
