You Are Not Alone: Bipolar Support Groups and Resources

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TL;DR: Bipolar Disorder Support Groups

• Support groups are very helpful for thriving with bipolar disorder. They give you a safe place to connect with people who truly understand what you are going through. This can help you feel less alone and more hopeful. They can also help you rebuild after a manic episode.

• There are online and in-person bipolar support groups available, including options from NAMI, and communities like TrevorSpace for LGBTQ+ youth.

• Support groups are a powerful complement to bipolar disorder treatment, but they do not replace bipolar treatment or crisis care.

Hey, friend. Your mental health is important. Even if you feel like you are doing okay, it’s important to have support. Everyone can benefit from having people in their lives who care. Social support is crucial for those living with bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Having a strong support system is the go-to tip from mental health experts for managing bipolar disorder. It’s a great way to complement your current bipolar affective disorder treatment.

Bipolar Support: Here’s how to find people who get you and accept you. 

What about family and friends? Isn’t the support from them enough? Seeking out people beyond your family and friends for support can be helpful. This is where support groups come in handy. Support groups connect people facing similar challenges (i.e., bipolar disorder). 

Benefits of Bipolar Support Groups

People in support groups usually have a lot in common—they're dealing with similar struggles and even things like side effects and finding the right treatment. Being part of a support group gives you a chance to connect with others who truly understand what you're going through. It’s a great form of self-help for bipolar disorder. 

Research shows that peer support for bipolar disorder reduces loneliness and improves hope. A 2021 review in BMC Psychiatry found that people with severe mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, who participated in peer-based support were more confident in managing their symptoms and less likely to disengage from care.

A support group can help you feel: 

• Less isolated or lonely 

• More in control of your life 

• More understood and accepted 

• More hopeful about living with bipolar disorder 

It can also help you stay motivated, keep you accountable, and help you learn more about bipolar disorder. Support groups can also help you pick up the pieces after a manic episode.

Are There Support Groups for Bipolar Disorder?

Absolutely! Help is available. And you deserve it. 

There are so many organizations that provide support for people living with bipolar disorder. Support groups come in many different shapes and sizes. Even if you can’t realistically get to in-person support groups, there are plenty of online options available. Online support groups can be helpful for their convenience and anonymity. 

One of the best things about support groups is that most are free! Here are some support groups to check out if things feel a bit too heavy lately. 

Bipolar Support Groups 

Here are a few bipolar support groups/communities:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) provides information and resources for people who have mood disorders. DBSA meetings are available both in-person and virtually. Click here to find DBSA support groups near me. 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - NAMI Connection is an in-person/virtual support group for people living with mental illness. It’s also available in Spanish. 

• TrevorSpace - The Trevor Project runs a moderated online support community for LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old. The Trevor Project is focused on suicide prevention. They also have a crisis hotline that is staffed by trained counselors and available 24/7. 

• Facebook - Facebook groups can be all over the place sometimes, but there are actually some gems in the mix. If you’re dealing with bipolar disorder, there are quite a few support groups worth checking out—just be ready to scroll past any that seem sketchy. 

Support groups are helpful, but they aren’t enough on their own. Many people benefit from adding private therapy for deeper support. You can explore options here: Online-Therapy.com.

Other Ways To Find a Bipolar Support Group

If the above options don’t work for you, you can try asking your therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor for a referral to a local support group. They may know of other options. 

Things To Keep in Mind

Support groups can be very helpful, but they’re not a replacement for professional bipolar disorder therapy. They are not the same thing as group therapy. Support groups are usually run by peers or volunteers, not licensed mental health therapists. Group therapy, on the other hand, is facilitated by therapists. 

Some support groups are more helpful than others. It may take some time to find the right fit. Similarly, just as you’d shop around for a psychiatrist or a therapist who feels like a good fit, you should also shop around for a support group that is a good fit for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can support groups replace bipolar disorder treatments?

No, support groups are a powerful way to enhance more standard types of care, such as therapy, but they can’t replace them. That’s because therapy is facilitated by a trained clinician or another licensed professional. Support groups are often led by peers.

Who offers the best support for bipolar disorder?

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the largest patient-run organization for mood disorders in the United States. They offer both in-person and online support groups. They also offer a variety of other resources and tools.

Support groups provide shared understanding, but therapy offers personalized, evidence-based care. If you’d like to explore therapy with a licensed professional, you can start here: Online-Therapy.com.

Can a person with bipolar live a normal life?

Absolutely! And support groups play a role in helping a person with bipolar disorder live a normal life. Other things include practicing stress management.

If you’re looking for more tools, information, or encouragement, explore all of our bipolar resources at Thriving With Bipolar. You don’t have to figure this out alone: https://www.thrivingwithbipolar.com/.