Useful Resources For Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment, and Support
Bipolar disorder can make managing daily life seem extremely challenging at times. The tendency to swing between extreme highs and lows in mood can create wariness in trusting your own thoughts and feelings, and moments of stability may seem rare, fleeting, and precious. However, with the right support, it’s often possible to find effective ways to manage symptoms for improved well-being and quality of life.
A growing number of mental health advocacy organizations now share evidence-based information about living with bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder (BPAD), online. You may also benefit from books on self-management of symptoms, peer support groups, and databases of qualified treatment providers. From tips on recognizing and moderating mood episodes to suggestions for navigating social interactions with BPAD, you can find various helpful suggestions in the resources listed below.
Self-management of bipolar disorder symptoms
The characteristic symptoms of bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression or manic depressive illness) are repeated and intense mood episodes that can last for days or weeks. These episodes can involve:
- Mania: a feeling of euphoria, confidence, and energy that can lead to impulsive and risky decisions
- Hypomania: similar to mania, but less prolonged and severe
- Depression: a persistently low mood often marked by negative feelings such as apathy, sadness, fatigue, irritability, and hopelessness
- Mixed mood: episodes combining symptoms of depression and mania, which can lead to highly erratic behavior
While some kinds of medication may be able to relieve these symptoms, their effects are often limited and may come with problematic side effects. There is no permanent cure for bipolar disorder, which means patients typically need to find ways to live and function despite the challenges this chronic disorder may impose.
When to seek professional treatment for bipolar disorder
That said, a growing body of research suggests that effective self-management of bipolar disorder (under the supervision of a licensed clinician) over the longer term is achievable for many people. Those living with this condition may be able to develop constructive habits, healthy coping mechanisms, and useful strategies that enable them to maintain wellness and lead fulfilling lives.
Self-management as mood and mental health support for people with bipolar disorder symptoms
Self-managing a mental illness tends to be more achievable with the right tools and professional support. The following bipolar disorder resources may come in handy on your psychological wellness journey.
Psychoeducation and mental health resources for bipolar disorder treatment
Mental health conditions are usually easier to manage the more thoroughly you understand them. Studies suggest that psychoeducation—or evidence-based informational resources designed to help a patient gain greater insight into their psychiatric illness—can be a productive treatment approach for bipolar disorder and other conditions. Here are a few psychoeducational resources that you may find helpful.
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide
Written by psychiatry professor David J. Miklowitz, this book is among the most consistently recommended reading materials by both mental health professionals and people with BPAD. Along with an introduction to current scientific knowledge about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of bipolar disorder, this work includes a variety of practical strategies for limiting the disorder’s potentially destabilizing effects.
The author also provides supplemental tools like worksheets, mood charting guides, and resources for speaking with family and friends about the condition. Many readers praise the book’s clear, approachable language and pragmatic focus on addressing the daily challenges of bipolar disorder.
Educational materials and resources for treatment from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
The DBSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people find relief from mood disorder symptoms. Their online education center offers a wealth of information on bipolar disorder, including:
- Descriptions of symptoms and risk factors
- Screening tools to help identify mania
- Guides to various treatment options
- An educational video on the manifestation of bipolar disorder throughout a person’s life
These materials are based on up-to-date research and created in cooperation with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. They’re written in straightforward language to help ensure that the most important information is easy to digest.
PsychGuides
The bipolar disorder section of PsychGuides.com provides helpful guides on various aspects of living with this condition. Example topics include finding help for bipolar disorder, therapeutic options, symptoms, and possible causes. The information is based on peer-reviewed or government sources and curated by trained psychologists, professors, and journalists.
The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings
Written by clinical psychologist Monica Ramirez Basco, this book on bipolar disorder self-management is packed with exercises to help readers gain a better understanding of their symptoms and behaviors. It includes tools for goals including:
- Identifying mood-episode triggers
- Recognizing counterproductive coping strategies
- Separating impulses from actions
- Cultivating a stable sense of self amid highs and lows
- Responding constructively when you feel overwhelmed
- Building healthy habits and stress management practices
That’s only a small sample of the many helpful topics this book covers. If you find the density of information intimidating, you may want to try picking just one or two exercises from it to get started.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
As the largest nonprofit organization serving Americans experiencing mental health challenges, NAMI provides informational resources including podcasts, webinars, discussion groups, and more. Their bipolar disorder topic page may be the easiest place to get started with exploring their materials on this condition, which include:
- Detailed discussions of treatment methods
- Reflections on bipolar disorder from patients, family members, and mental health professionals
- Guides to recognizing symptoms and obtaining a diagnosis
- Tips on caring for yourself through the challenging moments bipolar disorder may present
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
The AACAP’s Bipolar Disorder Resource Center may be helpful for adolescents impacted by BPAD and their families. It offers tips on recognizing this disorder in young people, profiles of different forms of psychotherapy used for bipolar disorder, and updates on the latest research advances in diagnosis and treatment. There’s also a bibliography suggesting further works that explore the lived experiences of people with BPAD.
Peer support resources for people with bipolar disorder
Research suggests that connecting and interacting with other people living with the same mental health disorder can have a variety of potential benefits for recovery. Peer groups may provide empathetic emotional support, pragmatic advice about navigating the daily challenges of bipolar disorder, and an opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings in a nonjudgmental environment. Here are a few resources that may help you find support groups for bipolar disorder.
bpHope
This online magazine is dedicated to helping people improve their quality of life with bipolar disorder. The website offers internet-based support groups for patients, families, and parents as well as lots of other ways to engage with the community.
DBSA support groups
In addition to sharing informational resources, the DBSA hosts both in-person and online support groups where people with bipolar disorder can talk about their experiences and share advice. They meet regularly, and discussions are moderated by trained peer leaders with firsthand experience in the effects of mood disorders.
PatientsLikeMe
This unique platform allows patients from around the world to track and share their day-to-day experiences of symptoms and treatment effects. Researchers can view the data (stripped of personal details) to improve their understanding of the disorders discussed, while users can connect with other people having similar experiences and learn from each other’s mental health journeys. At the time of writing, the PatientsLikeMe bipolar disorder group has more than 41,000 members.
Mental Health America (MHA) Inspire
A social media community dedicated to mental health support, Mental Health America’s Inspire group enables people with a wide range of psychiatric conditions to come together and support one another. Though the posts can include many different subjects, you can select “bipolar disorder” and other topics to narrow your feed to the content that’s most helpful to you.
The NAMI Connection
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates many support groups through local affiliates around the country. Even if there’s not one near you, many groups are virtual and open to members from anywhere. They’re not specific to bipolar disorder, but many members have experience with this condition and can offer encouragement and advice.
Resources for locating bipolar disorder treatment
Bipolar disorder requires professional treatment to address, so seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist is usually the first step. Psychotherapy can offer significant relief from bipolar symptoms, especially when combined with medication. However, many people have difficulty finding mental health care providers in their area—which is one reason online resources can be so helpful.
Nonprofit resources for bipolar disorder
Many nonprofit groups, mental health professional organizations, and government agencies provide databases that you can search for care providers. Examples include:
- American Psychiatric Association:Find a Psychiatrist
- American Psychological Association:Psychologist Locator
- Veterans Administration:VA Locator
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists:findapsychologist.org
- American Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies: Find a Therapist
- Substance Administration and Mental Health Services Administration:findtreatment.gov
- Medicare:Care Compare
You can also find information online to help you compare different kinds of healthcare professionals and therapies for bipolar disorder. The DBSA’s Treatment Options page offers a comprehensive guide to choosing a provider, and the International Bipolar Foundation (IBF) provides a similar resource.
Online Therapy for Bipolar Disorder
Another option is to seek treatment online directly. More and more mental health professionals are now offering internet-based services, and the ability to connect with providers remotely can make it easier to find the right one for you. Online platforms like BetterHelp can match you with a therapist based on your preferences, and you can then meet with them virtually from anywhere you have an internet connection.
Evidence has been accumulating that online therapy can be an effective treatment for many different mental health challenges. For example, the findings of one research review suggest evidence of significant and long-lasting improvements in symptoms of a wide variety of psychiatric disorders as a result of online therapy.
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