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.
A 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.
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: 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
Support groups, are also called special interest groups (SIG), and forms an integral part for many health organizations and a critical foundation for those trying to cope with the disorder or trauma. These groups help fill the emptiness between medicine and the daily everyday headaches. It helps patients to serve as educators, cope and also inform about the new advancements in bipolar treatment or any available treatment.
.Support Groups by Online
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.