Online communities are great resources for information, especially regarding the various experience others have with Bipolar Medications, insurance and employment issues, and of course the support. There are hundreds of communities, everywhere from Delphi Forums, Blog Sites, to forums supported by DBSA; Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Many of us are able to find a sense of community and fellowship online that we are not able to acquire in person. With the nature of the content, moderating issues, and false information being par for the course in cyber space, many psychologists and therapists recommend caution in participating in online support groups.
I have been a member of different Bipolar Disorder support groups. My participation levels have varied from a lurker seeking information, to a moderator on an extremely busy message board with chat rooms. Many individuals will not go to a NAMI, DBSA, or other Bipolar support group. I have seen lonely individuals become active enthusiastic users after they get comfortable. People share and compare their trials and tribulations of the mercurial nature of this illness. Other users are simply seeking information. I have more than a hundred times over read the following post from new users or someone who is newly diagnosed"I am so happy I found this place. It is so nice to know I am not alone." Or "I never thought any one would understand, until I found this place." This is a wonderful feeling many of us can remember the first time we connected with another Bipolar individual. The first time we read a stranger's words that werepitomepitomy of our own thoughts and feelings.
Some psychologists and therapists seem to feel this connection can become obsessive and unhealthy. They would much prefer their patient to be connecting to people in real life. I do see their point. I have seen yucky things happen in an on-line support group. Arguments triggering people in to horrible slamming. Worse, users in at risk or csituationsations solely seeking online help when they need to be in the hospital. One time a web site owner needed to call the police across the country. When the police arrived at the member's home they found the Bipolar support group member had attempted to overdose. An even worse scenario armanipulativealtive members with harmful intent; pretending to be sick, rallying many around them as if they are suicidal just for the attention. It is not healthy for any of us to be a part of this.
We are all responsible for our actions online. I think those of us who have received support that will never compare to that of real life, we will be online Bipolar online support group members permanently; despite the doctor's advice. We just need to remember the same rules we teach children, use caution, be smart, and watch obsessive behavior. (If your beginning to smell and have not showered in a few days, maybe you need to take a break from the computer for a while.)
I have been a member of different Bipolar Disorder support groups. My participation levels have varied from a lurker seeking information, to a moderator on an extremely busy message board with chat rooms. Many individuals will not go to a NAMI, DBSA, or other Bipolar support group. I have seen lonely individuals become active enthusiastic users after they get comfortable. People share and compare their trials and tribulations of the mercurial nature of this illness. Other users are simply seeking information. I have more than a hundred times over read the following post from new users or someone who is newly diagnosed"I am so happy I found this place. It is so nice to know I am not alone."
Or
"I never thought any one would understand, until I found this place."
This is a wonderful feeling many of us can remember the first time we connected with another Bipolar individual. The first time we read a stranger's words that werepitomepitomy of our own thoughts and feelings.
Some psychologists and therapists seem to feel this connection can become obsessive and unhealthy. They would much prefer their patient to be connecting to people in real life. I do see their point. I have seen yucky things happen in an on-line support group. Arguments triggering people in to horrible slamming. Worse, users in at risk or csituationsations solely seeking online help when they need to be in the hospital. One time a web site owner needed to call the police across the country. When the police arrived at the member's home they found the Bipolar support group member had attempted to overdose. An even worse scenario armanipulativealtive members with harmful intent; pretending to be sick, rallying many around them as if they are suicidal just for the attention. It is not healthy for any of us to be a part of this.
We are all responsible for our actions online. I think those of us who have received support that will never compare to that of real life, we will be online Bipolar online support group members permanently; despite the doctor's advice.
We just need to remember the same rules we teach children, use caution, be smart, and watch obsessive behavior. (If your beginning to smell and have not showered in a few days, maybe you need to take a break from the computer for a while.)