About
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Treating
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Family
and Friends
Further
Information
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"I've been a member of this
forum since Feb 2006. I'd only received my formal diagnosis the previous
December I believe, and although everything suddenly slotted into place,
and there was this enormous sense of relief, there was still so much I
wanted to know. BP4All grew out of necessity, following the closure of
another forum, and I was invited to be a founder member. Without it, I
don't know how I would have survived the last 12 months. I've not only
had friends that I could go to when there was nobody else who would
understand what I was talking about, people who would listen to me, hold
my virtual hand and wipe away my virtual tears. But I've had advice, and
support, practical suggestions, links to others sites, real time chats in
the chat room, somewhere where I can say things that are considered
'unacceptable' in the 'real world', where I can rant, and lets not
forget, we've had some real good laughs! And something else that BP4All
has given me though, and this has been really really important in terms of
my self esteem, accepting my illness, respecting myself as being
knowledgeable about my illness, has been the opportunity to give the same
support, advice, and encouragement to other, newer members. Every member
of the forum is valued as an individual, whether they suffer from bipolar,
or they are a carer or friend of someone who has bipolar, all have an
equal voice. And it's that diversity, and those different viewpoints,
and mutual respect that makes the site what it is."
"Just
need to say I have always felt very welcome here even after I was away for
a few months when I was ill - I was welcomed back with open arms and many
words of support and kindness. All I can say is I feel this is a great
place for support and sharing and I love you all.
Keep up the good work everyone."
"What do I look for in a carers forum?
Well, first and foremost the most important thing I was looking for was
empathy, somebody to say 'yeah that happened with me too'. Id spent so
long being alone and not thinking this was happening to anybody else, to
actually find somewhere that others were feeling the same as me and that
I could see it wasn't Andy, it was the illness that was the common
denominator. Now I look for support; to understand more about how the
illness works and how it can and does affect others so I can be
prepared; I don't want to post on a carers forum only to be told by
others 'you think you've got it bad, you can walk away, try living with
the illness 24/7'. Don't get me started , this will turn into a rant if
I'm not careful! I don't want a carers only forum, that defeats the
object, I want to talk to others with BP because they are the experts,
they can tell me what they would want from a supporter so I can try and
adapt it to Andy's individual needs. I suppose more importantly than
anything, just to know others care and understand is most important.
When things get bad, to know I can go somewhere and say life is crap and
others will understand, and also accept that tomorrow it will probably
be a different opinion I put forward".
"This site is amazing and the people on
here are superb, Dave and me were talking last night and in his words
"Saved my life a few times" and honestly saved mine as well,
there have been many times I've felt alone and come on these boards and
thought we aren't the only people going through this. We've all been
newbies at some time, and in need of tlc, and I truly believe everyone
here does their best to give that to others "
"Last year, out of sheer desperation, I finally joined an on-line forum and spoke of my fears regarding my mental illness. I felt I was met with an uncaring and judgmental attitude and subsequently, my attempt to gain answers completely backfired on me. Fortunately, some members of the forum were also part of the BP4All community and I was invited to a safe place to talk to people who may be able to support me.
At first I was sceptical. My first experience of on-line forums hadn't been good and I was worried the whole experience could be damaging. I'm happy to say I was completely wrong. I was offered somewhere safe; when I was upset I was met with compassion. When I was seething, I was able to bare my soul without being judged and when I was simply getting it wrong, I was gently challenged and advised.
For me to be able to address my illness I needed to meet people who had been through similar, or worse. I didn't think I ever discriminated mental illness in others but I realised I was actually stigmatising my own MI. I needed to try and understand but I live in a rural area and there are very few support groups, those of which are quite generic. The concept of attending these terrified me. Looking back and realising how ill I was then, I can genuinely say that if it wasn't for BP4All, Id have withdrawn from life to the point of making it permanent.
I don't "know" anyone on BP4All and yet they're my friends. The sort of friends that are rare; they don't judge and their support is unconditional. Age, gender, background or even looks don't come into the equation. I'm accepted for who I am and there always seems to be someone there for me. Even if I don't feel able to contribute, I'm never condemned and the wealth of resources means I can distract myself and learn about my condition.
I am utterly indebted to BP4All for the support, advice and companionship I've received since I became a member. My family are now aware of where I finally found my support and they are also hugely grateful as they now realise I'm still here, thanks to finding a safe place.".
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