Coping & Support Resources for Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) for the diagnosed individual as well as family and friends so often creates a sense of isolation and can seem quite overwhelming. People feel like they are alone with nowhere to turn. Well, you are not alone! Found here are resources and links highlighting venues of support and advocacy as well as those to add a little inspiration and laughter.
Tips for Surviving the Holidays
The holiday season is usually a stressful time for most people; it is even worse for those with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. However, there are ways to alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the many events associated with the holidays. How do you manage the stressful festivities? What are your tips for surviving the holidays?
The holiday season is usually a stressful time for most people; it is even worse for those with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. However, there are ways to alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the many events associated with the holidays. How do you manage the stressful festivities? What are your tips for surviving the holidays?
Recalling Painful Memories
When painful memories from the past surface, how do you cope with them?
When painful memories from the past surface, how do you cope with them?
Toxic People Can Harm You - Tips for Dealing With Toxic People
Do you know someone who always makes you feel tired, angry or depressed? This person may be toxic, spreading negativity like a poison. Here are readers' suggestions for dealing with toxic people.
Do you know someone who always makes you feel tired, angry or depressed? This person may be toxic, spreading negativity like a poison. Here are readers' suggestions for dealing with toxic people.
About Bipolar Disorder Community Support and News
Quick reference guide to all the support resources available to you here at the About Bipolar Disorder website, including chat, forums, volunteer staff information and newsletters.
Quick reference guide to all the support resources available to you here at the About Bipolar Disorder website, including chat, forums, volunteer staff information and newsletters.
Money-Saving Tips for the Cost-Conscious Mental Health Patient
As a person with a mental health diagnosis such as bipolar disorder, it is always best to have complete medical and mental health insurance coverage whenever possible. Psychiatric medications, doctor’s appointments, and psychotherapy are costly; plus there is always the possibility of needing emergency psychiatric hospitalization. However, if you are unable to access mental health insurance, here are a few money-saving tips to help you get the most care from a limited budget.
As a person with a mental health diagnosis such as bipolar disorder, it is always best to have complete medical and mental health insurance coverage whenever possible. Psychiatric medications, doctor’s appointments, and psychotherapy are costly; plus there is always the possibility of needing emergency psychiatric hospitalization. However, if you are unable to access mental health insurance, here are a few money-saving tips to help you get the most care from a limited budget.
Be Kind To Yourself
Esther, who has bipolar disorder, offers her suggestion for dealing with the kind of depression where you haven't been able to get anything done.
Esther, who has bipolar disorder, offers her suggestion for dealing with the kind of depression where you haven't been able to get anything done.
You Are Not Alone
A guide to support for bipolar disorder on the internet, including forums, chat and e-mail support, as well as finding local support groups.
A guide to support for bipolar disorder on the internet, including forums, chat and e-mail support, as well as finding local support groups.
Getting Through the Holidays
The winter holidays contain all kinds of dangers to your physical and mental health. Several About.com Guides have worked together to bring you advice for coping.
The winter holidays contain all kinds of dangers to your physical and mental health. Several About.com Guides have worked together to bring you advice for coping.
10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays
The winter holidays can be especially stressful for everyone, and even worse for people with mental illnesses like bipolar disorder. Regular contributor Joy Austin has suggestions for coping with the stress of the Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and New Year's holidays. Most of these tips are good year round, too!
The winter holidays can be especially stressful for everyone, and even worse for people with mental illnesses like bipolar disorder. Regular contributor Joy Austin has suggestions for coping with the stress of the Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and New Year's holidays. Most of these tips are good year round, too!
Are You Singing the Low Self-Esteem Blues?
Have you ever felt like an imposter where you act as if you are happy and successful, but are really terrified of failure? Do you live with persisting anger about not feeling "good enough?" There is a chance you suffer from low self-esteem. So how do we get it and how do we end the struggle?
Have you ever felt like an imposter where you act as if you are happy and successful, but are really terrified of failure? Do you live with persisting anger about not feeling "good enough?" There is a chance you suffer from low self-esteem. So how do we get it and how do we end the struggle?
Easing Anxiety Naturally
Methods to ease anxiety by discharging tension and a beginners' exercise in breath work. These techniques can be useful whether you are taking anti-anxiety medications or not.
Methods to ease anxiety by discharging tension and a beginners' exercise in breath work. These techniques can be useful whether you are taking anti-anxiety medications or not.
The Cats Who Saved My Life: An Alternative Treatment for Depression
Long-time About Bipolar Disorder Volunteer Joy tells how foster parenting a kitten (or puppy) can be true treatment for bipolar depression, as well as providing a surprisingly easy way for animal lovers who have been withdrawn to easy back into society by finding the company of people who share their feelings.
Long-time About Bipolar Disorder Volunteer Joy tells how foster parenting a kitten (or puppy) can be true treatment for bipolar depression, as well as providing a surprisingly easy way for animal lovers who have been withdrawn to easy back into society by finding the company of people who share their feelings.
FAQ: Medical Alert IDs
Most people are familiar with medical alert jewelry for those "hidden" medical conditions – diabetes, heart problems, drug and food allergies, etc. – that may cause life-threatening emergencies. However, those with mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorders may also want to consider using this tool.
Most people are familiar with medical alert jewelry for those "hidden" medical conditions – diabetes, heart problems, drug and food allergies, etc. – that may cause life-threatening emergencies. However, those with mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorders may also want to consider using this tool.
Helpful Tax Hints from Lily
This article is intended to help with the challenges that adults with bipolar disorder face while staring at tax forms - and hopefully give them a little smile during that stressful time.
This article is intended to help with the challenges that adults with bipolar disorder face while staring at tax forms - and hopefully give them a little smile during that stressful time.
Medical Alert Identification for Bipolar Disorder
Rachel, a member of our forums asked, "I wondered if anyone wears a medical id bracelet for bipolar disorder and to indicate they are on medication. Is this a good idea? Would it be too 'revealing' to have it sorta hanging out there... having your wrist state ‘Hi, I'm Bipolar on Meds.'" Other members responded with their thoughts and suggestions.
Rachel, a member of our forums asked, "I wondered if anyone wears a medical id bracelet for bipolar disorder and to indicate they are on medication. Is this a good idea? Would it be too 'revealing' to have it sorta hanging out there... having your wrist state ‘Hi, I'm Bipolar on Meds.'" Other members responded with their thoughts and suggestions.
How I Manage My Bipolar Disorder
I have enjoyed five months now where I can finally say I have my disorder under control. I have learned a lot about myself and how to recognize when a mood is just a reaction to life or when it is the start of an episode. I learned to listen to my body and what I need and to ask for help when I need it. It has made me a happier person, a better mother, and a more reliable friend.
I have enjoyed five months now where I can finally say I have my disorder under control. I have learned a lot about myself and how to recognize when a mood is just a reaction to life or when it is the start of an episode. I learned to listen to my body and what I need and to ask for help when I need it. It has made me a happier person, a better mother, and a more reliable friend.
It's All in Your Head ... And Other Thoughtless Things Said!
How often have you been accused of whining or being a hypochondriac? Do people think you are just a complainer or an attention-seeker? Found here is a short list of things people say that are often intended to be helpful, but are actually tactless.
How often have you been accused of whining or being a hypochondriac? Do people think you are just a complainer or an attention-seeker? Found here is a short list of things people say that are often intended to be helpful, but are actually tactless.
Managing Stress
Times of national tragedy, war fears and world unrest can lead to raised anxiety levels which can be triggering to those with bipolar disorder. We offer coping tips to help you deal with the extra stress of external crises.
Times of national tragedy, war fears and world unrest can lead to raised anxiety levels which can be triggering to those with bipolar disorder. We offer coping tips to help you deal with the extra stress of external crises.
Recalling Painful Memories: Words of Advice and Encouragement
Paula, a member known as thelavendercat in the Bipolar Disorder Forums at About.com, offered some beautiful thoughts to another member who has been remembering traumatic, painful events from her past. Paula's words are sage and offer such a valuable source of encouragement to anyone who must struggle through the healing of past events.
Paula, a member known as thelavendercat in the Bipolar Disorder Forums at About.com, offered some beautiful thoughts to another member who has been remembering traumatic, painful events from her past. Paula's words are sage and offer such a valuable source of encouragement to anyone who must struggle through the healing of past events.
Queenie's Quest: A Story of Personal Struggle and Triumph
Debra writes, "Queenie's Quest is an essay about my lifelong journey battling dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and hypothyroidism. It's serious, humorous & educational - a little long but worth the read. I'm hoping I can help others through my experiences. I'm now 45 and have conquered these illnesses. I want to give hope to others!"
Debra writes, "Queenie's Quest is an essay about my lifelong journey battling dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and hypothyroidism. It's serious, humorous & educational - a little long but worth the read. I'm hoping I can help others through my experiences. I'm now 45 and have conquered these illnesses. I want to give hope to others!"
How to Prepare for Traveling when Mentally Ill
Many people with severe mental illnesses worry about traveling. One member of this community shares her frustration writing, “How are we supposed to get places when unstable?” Following are a few suggestions, many contributed by other community members, that may help alleviate some of these fears and make needed traveling more tolerable.
Many people with severe mental illnesses worry about traveling. One member of this community shares her frustration writing, “How are we supposed to get places when unstable?” Following are a few suggestions, many contributed by other community members, that may help alleviate some of these fears and make needed traveling more tolerable.