bipolar support group

[grace68]

hi, has anyone been to a bipolar support group in their area?

i'm going, tonight.

 

[DiagnosisBipolar2]

Unfortunatley no such group operates in my area

I hope you find it worthwhile though. You will probably find it really helpful to talk to others who have an understanding of what you are going through and maybe you will even make some new friends!

Good luck

 

[grace68]

it was really good! i'm definitely planning on going again.

it was so good to meet other people who have had similar experiences.

it helped me with accepting that i have bipolar disorder, and i want to keep going back each month, for the support. we talked about medication, and i have never stayed long-term on lithium. i hope that by becoming a part of this group that i will be able to accept long-term medication.

it's a shame there isn't a group in your area,db2

 

[DiagnosisBipolar2]

Sounds great Grace.

It is a shame there are none in my area as i'd really like to chat to others in a
similar situation but thats life I guess!

Good luck with the future meetings.

 

[grace68]

thanks db2,
you've probably been on this site already:-
www.mdf.org.uk
that's where i found out about my local group.
it is a shame if there isn't a group nearby to you,
but for the last few weeks i have found this Forum to be invaluable.
i couldn't get out, and i have found supportive and friendly people on here!
i really hope you also find some help and support on here too

 

[Colin76]

Hi Grace68,

I now go to monthly groups here in northampton held by the manic depression fellowship. The first time i went it was so nice to meet people in the same situation as myself and get things off my chest. If no one has been to a self help group i recommend that they go along as they can be very usefull.

 

[loulou-24]

northampton bipolar help group

hi colin

do you know if the northampton bipolar help group is still running if so could you tell me where it is and how to join, as i have bipolar II and was only diagnosed last summer, im still coming to terms with this, and any kind of help or info on how to deal with this would be a massive help,

many thanks
x

 

[dib4uk]

Support groups can work wonders, i go to one for my bpd and it works fine for me. Glad that you enjoyed your first meeting.

 

[friars126]

I looked at this but it's a Thurs night which is the one night i do something, college! I am committed to that, such a shame because i'm sure it'd help, the next one's like 50 miles away! So glad you went though, well done

 

[calypso]

I have been going to a bipolar group which is run by lancaster University. At first I was cynical, (I'm always cynical at first with everything!), and now I want to go every week. It is so helpful and so nice to talk without having to explain everything first!

 

[bulbie]

I've just found me a local-ish group. Downside is, I've just missed the one for this month...

 

[rasselas]

hi, has anyone been to a bipolar support group in their area?

i'm going, tonight.

I hope you have a good un Grace68.

I have been to lots of support groups. When I first watched the opening 20 minutes of Fight Club I was in stitches and my g/f of the time thought I was being an idiot; but then, she'd never been to a support group (perhaps I am an idiot).

You will meet some amazing people, I mean, truly amazing. Inspiring even. If all goes well. Or, the worst that will happen is you'll meet a lot of very amazing though drugged up people, who, if only for the drugs, would be perfectly capable of inspiring you but...

The great thing about bipolar support groups is that everyone ends up competing with everyone else and the infighting is beyond comprehension; by week 4 if you haven't slept with at least 3 other members you'll be held in great suspicion.

I once went to a support group where it was heavily invigilated by a 'normal' volunteer - to protect us from one another. They were very conservtaive christian and ex-asylum worker having retired in the late 80s. This one week they didnt make it in, and so the group went on. It had been arranged that a current mh worker would take over the 'supervision' but they didnt make it either. So a bunch of us decided to hit the town and go on a pub crawl. O, what a night!