Managing Bipolar Disorder: Support Groups And Treatment Options
The treatment for bipolar disorder can be a lifelong endeavor for diagnosed individuals and their friends, family members, and caregivers. A community of support can improve daily living and provide a sense of security. Various support groups, organizations, and mental health resources can provide ongoing support after a diagnosis.
How does bipolar disorder affect people?
Bipolar disorder causes intense changes in mood, from depressive lows to manic highs. Depending on the type of bipolar disorder, these shifts can be unpredictable, ranging from every few weeks to months. Since bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, individuals may benefit from establishing ongoing support networks and treatment methods to manage symptoms.
How can support groups and other resources help with managing bipolar disorder?
The role of support groups and mental healthcare resources is often to provide people living with mental illness with continuous support, opportunities to reflect and share with others, firsthand educational tools surrounding their condition, and coping skills that diagnosed individuals and their loved ones can employ in everyday life. The mental and emotional support that support groups provide can help individuals manage their condition, build a community of support, and enhance the quality of their lives.
What's the role of antidepressant medication, mood stabilizer medications, and electroconvulsive therapy?
Medical doctors, like psychiatrists, may also be able to help people with bipolar disorder manage symptoms through medications. These may include mood stabilizers, such as lithium, or antidepressants. The latter may be more likely to be prescribed for bipolar II disorder, and often only for a short time.
In cases of severe bipolar disorder that doesn't respond well to medication and therapy, a person may receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT consists of electrical stimulation to the scalp while a patient is under the effects of anesthesia.
What happens during support group meetings for people with bipolar disorder or depression?
Bipolar disorder can cause a sense of isolation, even when one has the support of loving friends and family. In some cases, loved ones may not understand the intricacies of the condition or know how to help. However, peer support groups can offer people the chance to connect with others who’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
After being diagnosed with a medical disorder, individuals may employ various coping strategies to mitigate symptoms and deal with challenges associated with their condition. Attending support groups and listening to peers discuss coping skills that worked for them may inspire people to use these coping skills for themselves.
Participants who attended a peer support group for substance use revealed that having a strong sense of community, setting appropriate personal boundaries, and maintaining self-care routines supported their recovery and helped them cope with a substance use disorder diagnosis. Sharing coping strategies and personal experiences at support sessions allows members to learn from each other and potentially gain practical insights for managing symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Organizations that support people living with bipolar disorder
Individuals can also receive support from organizations like The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). This organization helps individuals connect with in-person or online support groups. During support group meetings, group leaders and members establish welcoming spaces for individuals to share their experiences, discuss coping skills, and offer each other a sense of community.
A study on DBSA peer support groups for mood disorders showed that participants who attended sessions regularly witnessed an improvement in quality of life, overall well-being, and functional impairment. In addition, participants reported a higher level of understanding and acceptance.
Organizations like DBSA connect individuals with support groups and offer educational tools, wellness resources, and guidance for finding the right therapist. Each resource may help individuals overcome challenges and live a more fulfilling life. For example, educational resources could enable individuals living with bipolar disorder to recognize, understand, and treat symptoms effectively, empowering them to live on their own terms.
Additional resources to manage bipolar disorder
For people living with bipolar disorder, there are various caring resources, support groups, and treatment options available. The support and guidance of therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists can offer evidence-based advice and techniques for coping. These professionals are licensed to provide ongoing treatment and support after a diagnosis.
During therapy sessions, individuals may develop an understanding of their condition, define and work toward wellness goals, learn coping strategies to deal with specific symptoms, and begin practicing healthy lifestyle habits to support their disorder. To support clients effectively, a therapist may encourage individuals to remain active or keep track of their mood in between sessions. Together, the activities that people engage in during therapy sessions may help them better understand their condition and approach it with compassion and acceptance.
Lifestyle changes as part of a treatment plan for bipolar disorder
In addition to therapy sessions, engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors can benefit overall health and wellness. Below are a few ways these behaviors can influence the health and well-being of people living with bipolar:
Eating nutritious meals
Research shows that nutritious eating can be helpful for people with bipolar disorder. Talk to a nutritionist or doctor about foods that may be healthy for your unique body.
Exercising
Exercising each day might involve taking a walk at your local park or biking to work in the morning. Exercise can naturally improve mood and has been shown to improve mental and physical health symptoms.
Restricting alcohol use
The use of alcohol can have adverse effects on people living with bipolar disorder, so individuals may benefit from limiting consumption when possible. Also, alcohol may interfere with the effectiveness of medications, further provoking bipolar symptoms.
Practicing stress management
Stress management techniques can be helpful for people living with bipolar disorder, whether yoga, meditation, spending time in nature, connecting with friends, aromatherapy, or other practices. Stress can be a major risk factor for the onset and progression of bipolar disorder, so engaging in these activities may mitigate symptoms.
Building a support network
A support network may reduce isolation during difficult times, provide individuals with ongoing compassion and support, and be a source of joy in everyday life, promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Professional treatment options
Finding in-person therapy can be challenging for people who face barriers to in-person options, such as a lack of financial stability or difficulty managing symptoms. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be more accessible.
Online therapy allows individuals to speak with licensed therapists at a time and place that suits them. This format may be beneficial for mood tracking since clients can connect with a professional via chat anytime and receive support when the therapist is available. In addition, online platforms offer resources like support groups, which may help people with bipolar disorder make connections.
Is online therapy effective as part of a treatment plan for managing bipolar disorder or depression?
Research shows that online cognitive-behavioral therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for managing the depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. While further studies are needed to assess the impact of therapy sessions, online therapy may be an effective method of self-care for people seeking depression and bipolar support.
Takeaway
Bipolar disorder support groups can offer a way for individuals to take control of their mental health after a diagnosis. During sessions, individuals can share experiences and empower others to cope with a diagnosis. Several organizations and caring resources are available that offer support, guidance, treatment, and education.
Through education programs, individuals can learn how to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors such as reducing alcohol intake or exercising each day to support their mental and emotional well-being. If you’re struggling with bipolar disorder, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist online or in your area for support.
Frequently asked questions
What treatment options can help manage bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder can often be managed with a combination of medication and talk therapy. A therapist may use dialectical behavioral therapy to help with emotion regulation in people with bipolar disorder.
Aside from antidepressant medication or mood stabilizer medications, what can help with bipolar disorder?
Talk therapy may help people with bipolar disorder stick to their treatment plan and understand their disorder more. In severe cases in which medications and therapy don't work, some people may undergo electroconvulsive therapy.
What is electroconvulsive therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment typically reserved for severe cases of depression or bipolar disorder. ECT applies an electrical current to a person's scalp after an anesthesiologist administers anesthesia. This type of treatment typically produces a brief, controlled seizure that may help to alter brain signaling pathways.
Do people with bipolar disorder get it from their family?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, bipolar disorder "commonly runs in families: 80 to 90 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder have a relative with bipolar disorder or depression." However, just because someone has a relative with bipolar disorder does not mean they will develop the disorder. Researchers believe that environmental factors can also play a role.
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