Coping & Support Resources for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder often creates a sense of isolation and can seem quite overwhelming for the diagnosed individual as well as family and friends. People feel like they are alone with nowhere to turn. Well, you are not alone! Here are resources and links highlighting venues of support and advocacy as well as those to add a little inspiration and laughter.
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12 Subcategories in Coping & Support Resources for Bipolar Disorder
21 Articles in: Coping & Support Resources for Bipolar Disorder
Preparing for Emergencies When You Have a Mental Illness
If you or a family member has a mental illness, it's essential that you know what to do in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane, flood or wildfire that may make evacuation necessary or leave you without power for days. Here are tips and recommendations that will help reduce stress by being prepared for such emergencies.
Tips for Surviving the Holidays
The holiday season is usually a stressful time for most people; it is even worse for those with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. However, there are ways to alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the many events associated with the holidays. How do you manage the stressful festivities? What are your tips for surviving the holidays?
Recalling Painful Memories
When painful memories from the past surface, how do you cope with them?
Toxic People Can Harm You - Tips for Dealing With Toxic People
Do you know someone who always makes you feel tired, angry or depressed? This person may be toxic, spreading negativity like a poison. Here are readers' suggestions for dealing with toxic people.
Marcia Purse - Wendy Purse
Need Help With Your Bipolar Disorder? Find Support Here
Quick reference guide to support resources available to you at About Bipolar Disorder, including forums, newsletters and suicide crisis information.
Be Kind To Yourself
Esther, who has bipolar disorder, offers her suggestion for dealing with the kind of depression where you haven't been able to get anything done.
You Are Not Alone
A guide to support for bipolar disorder on the internet, including forums, chat and e-mail support, as well as finding local support groups.
Getting Through the Holidays
The winter holidays contain all kinds of stress that endanger your physical and mental health. Several About.com Guides have worked together to bring you advice for coping, from allergies to fibromyalgia to infertility and more.
10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays
The winter holidays can be especially stressful for everyone, and even moreso for people with mental disorders. Here are suggestions for coping with the stress of the December holidays. Most of these tips are good year round, too!
One sign of low self-esteem is being needlessly unhappy about your appearance. - Peter Glass / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Causes, Signs and Consequences of Low Self-Esteem, And Tips for Overcoming It
Many people who have bipolar disorder struggle with low self-esteem. So how do we get it and how do we end the struggle?
Easing Anxiety Naturally
Methods to ease anxiety by discharging tension and a beginners' exercise in breath work. These techniques can be useful whether you are taking anti-anxiety medications or not.
FAQ: MedicalIDs
Most people are familiar with medical ID jewelry for those "hidden" medical conditions - diabetes, heart problems, drug and food allergies, etc. - that may cause life-threatening emergencies. However, those with mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety disorders as well as those who take medications on a regular basis may also want to consider using a medical ID. It is an invaluable resource that may just save your life.
Helpful Tax Hints from Lily
This article is intended to help with the challenges that adults with bipolar disorder face while staring at tax forms - and hopefully give them a little smile during that stressful time.
Medical Alert IDs for Bipolar Disorder
Rachel, a member of our forums asked a fantastic question, “I wondered if anyone wears a medical alert id bracelet for bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders and to also indicate that they are on medication. Is this a good idea? Would it be too ‘revealing’ to have it sorta hanging out there... having your wrist state ‘Hi, I'm Bipolar on Meds.’" Other members responded with their thoughts and suggestions regarding medical alert IDs.
How I Manage My Bipolar Disorder
I have enjoyed five months now where I can finally say I have my disorder under control. I have learned a lot about myself and how to recognize when a mood is just a reaction to life or when it is the start of an episode. I learned to listen to my body and what I need and to ask for help when I need it. It has made me a happier person, a better mother, and a more reliable friend.
It's All In Your Head - Blend Images - Tanya Constantine / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images
It's All in Your Head
Have you been accused of whining or being a hypochondriac? People say things that may (or may not) be meant to be helpful, but are really tactless and ignorant.
Coping with Disasters
The world in which we live is fraught with turmoil – turmoil comprised of international conflict and war, natural disasters, financial, industrial and technological crises, and human suffering. How do we cope with the fear and helplessness? For those with severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, these crises can raise stress levels to the point of becoming triggers for episodes.
Recalling Painful Memories
Paula, a member known as thelavendercat in the Bipolar Disorder Forums at About.com, offered some beautiful thoughts to another member who has been remembering traumatic, painful events from her past. Paula's words are sage and offer such a valuable source of encouragement to anyone who must struggle through the healing of past events.
How To Prepare for Traveling When Mentally Ill
Many people with severe mental illnesses worry about traveling. One member of this community shares her frustration writing, “How are we supposed to get places when unstable?” Following are a few suggestions, many contributed by other community members, that may help alleviate some of these fears and make needed traveling more tolerable.
Toxicity in Yourself or Others

Toxic people can drain you like vampires, bite and infect you with their anger or eat you alive like werewolves, or overwhelm you with negative poison like zombies. People with mood disorders like bipolar disorder are particularly vulnerable to toxic people. Are there toxic people in your life? Or are you a toxic person? What have you done.........See submissions

Toxic people can affect you like vampires - Marco Prosch / Getty Images News / Getty Images
How Toxic People Affect Your Life and How to Avoid Them
Do you know someone who always makes you feel tired, angry or depressed? This person may be toxic, spreading negativity like a poison.
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