Building a Support Network

"I’m on a path of self-knowledge, that I have an illness, that I can accept that I have a mental illness. To be able to say that for me, and for a lot of people, is a tremendous accomplishment."
-- Greg

Building a support network can be helpful. The easiest way to start is to make good use of what's already out there.

You can find support from healthcare providers, therapists, members of the local and national community, and family and friends. Imagine yourself at the center of this support community. Different people will support different parts of your life.

Your personal support network will depend on your preferences and your healthcare provider's advice. Look over the following list to find the kinds of support that may work best for you.

Healthcare Providers	Therapists	Community	Friends & Family
Psychiatrist Psychoanalyst General practitioner Nurse practitioner Physician assistant	Psychologist Clergy Life coach Social worker Nurse Counselor	Pharmacist Church Guidance counselor DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)* NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)* NMHA (National Mental Health Association)* iFRED (International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression)* Online support groups* Local support groups* 12-step substance abuse programs*	Parents Spouse Siblings Children Grandparents Close friends Co-workers Supervisor

*See Online Resources if you would like to contact these groups.

How support groups can help

The other people in a bipolar disorder support group may know what you're feeling. They may have had some of the same problems with family, friends, and co-workers. They may also have had substance-abuse problems.

Getting support and practical advice from people who have "been there" may help. Your group members may be able to teach you practical skills for living with bipolar disorder.

It may also feel good to open up to people who understand. Maybe your family and friends are trying to help. But you may feel as though they don't understand because they haven't had similar experiences.

Meeting other people with bipolar disorder may help you feel better about yourself and less isolated. You will see that there's nothing to be ashamed of. You'll see that people with bipolar disorder can lead normal lives. Ask your healthcare provider or therapist if a support group is right for you.

How to find a group

Ask your healthcare provider or therapist for the names of support groups in your area. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has a network of more than 1,000 support groups. Click here to go to the support group section of the DBSA Web site.

Support groups can be helpful. But they can’t replace therapy or medical care.

Support groups are different from group therapy. That’s because they usually are not run by a professional.

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