About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Welcome to Bipolar Chat! If it's your first visit to our site, then you probably have a few questions and concerns. Let's see if we can answer some of those questions before you enter the chat room.

When I first came to About Bipolar Disorder chat, I had never been in a chat room before, so I was pretty green and real "newbie" at the whole concept of chat. If this is you, don't worry! Soon you'll be chatting like an old pro.

We have our own sense of humor that will hopefully put you at ease quickly. I know for me, the chat room has been a great benefit no matter if I'm depressed, manic, or just plain silly. I can log on and just listen for a while or talk to the "roommates" and share what's on my mind. I know I can get great support from other people going through the same type of ups and downs that I'm experiencing. Sometimes I come to the room simply to see another person and not be alone. I know a lot of other chatters who do the same. The experience can be similar to an online coffee house (don't be surprised if you see donuts and coffee served via computer monitor).

Now, like everything in life, there is the occasional aggravation - in the chat room it's no different. You'll no doubt come across a personality that just rubs you the wrong way or someone who is bugging the crap out of you. We have an easy solution for that, too. It's a great little button called the IGNORE button. It keeps you from seeing what the chatter who is bothering you is writing, and hides what you're writing from them.

I'd like to put a little bit of our "lingo" here just in case you aren't familiar with it. TDOC stands for Therapist, PDOC stands for Psychiatrist, and LMBPAO (one of my favorites) is "laughing my bipolar ass off." The rest are pretty much the same as you see in "normal-boring" chat rooms. Those include cyber hugs ((((((dutchess))))))) ... brb (be right back) ... cyl (see you later) ... lol (laughing out loud).

Also, every chat room has its own guidelines, rules, and chatiquette, so read over those (see the table at the bottom of this page). Bipolar Chat has hosted chats according to this schedule, but the room is not hosted 24 hours. Hosts are present during scheduled chats and at other times when possible to help keep the atmosphere respectful and supportive to everyone, but if no host is present and a disruptive chatter enters, we encourage use of the Ignore button to deal with this type of intrusion. None of the hosts are doctors or pretend to be, but we do share our opinions openly and freely.

Getting acquainted is much easier if you have a nickname. A nickname is much nicer and friendlier than "guest" and helps us to know you better, so we require users to choose one and use it whenever they return. A log-in page, found here, will guide you through the process of setting up a nickname and password. Things asked when you sign up are: Name, Email Addy, and Desired Nickname. Depending on your ISP, the email may be sent to your "bulk" folder, so look carefully before emptying your folders. You will need the password sent to you in order to log-in to the chat room. Once you have logged on, you can change your password to one that is easier for you to remember.

Once you are in the room, don't be overwhelmed by the number of "hello's" you receive. This is the nature of the chat room, simply acknowledging you have arrived and that you are welcomed. Sometimes new chatters prefer to sit back and watch the room "chat" for a little while until they feel comfortable. Others jump right in with both feet. Whichever is your personality is fine. If you are shy or a bit unsure of yourself, speak directly to someone you have noticed listens to the other chatters well, or to the host if there is one present. Otherwise, just present your topic to the room and go from there.

Although the Chat Room is Bipolar Chat, many times the talk turns to lighter things happening in the chatter's lives (in other words we like to talk bull a lot!). If you have something that you need to ask, talk about, or a concern, please know that your topic takes precedence over the general chitchat. How do you ask a question? Hmmm... I just say, "Roomies, I have something I need help with," or "Roomies, I have something to ask your opinion on..."

Our Chat Rooms are for people with Bipolar Disorder, their family members, and their loved ones. This means that we have a vast range of ages, nationalities, religions, and personalities. Keep this in mind as you chat.

Our Chat Rooms exist first and foremost to support those living with Bipolar Disorder. We hope you enjoy your first chat and come back and become part of our "roomies."