Kind of guide me around this. It's a big step for me to come on here and talk about all of this. Even though it may not seem like a big deal to all of you. I really need to talk to people that understand me. Thank you all.

Hi Jess,

I just wanted to welcome you to the board. :D I want you to know right away that you will find lots of support here from all sorts of people -family members of bipolars, other bipolars, different types of bipolars, all who have experienced what you have on some level or another. I've been in this support group for several months, since I was diagnosed (although I've been a sufferer of bipolar disorder for probably 25 years before I found the answer to what the hell was going on!).

Basically, it works like this: if you see a thread (message from someone else) going that you can relate to or offer your advice or experience on, you just pipe in anytime and contribute. People will either continue responding to the original poster of the message or respond to what you have to say, so on and so forth. If you want advice on anything or have questions or something to share, just do what you did with this one and someone will usually respond pretty quickly. That's about it. :)

As you know, bipolar disorder can be a devastating thing to many people, frustrating to deal with on a daily basis for people. Therefore, you will see the spillover effect from those issues here. Try not to take them personally. For example, some suffers of bipolar disorder will often find some things non-bipolars say on here offensive (I've been guilty of it, believe me). Try to understand where they are coming from and how you can help them understand you or the disorder better rather than take offense. You will get more out of the experience. Everyone here is connected by this disorder, and that's what matters. Everybody means well.

I hope this helps, and I also hope you get as much out of this as most of us do. And I have no doubt you will. :wave:

Hi Jess,

Welcome to the boards and I think Gav said it pretty darn well. Here I have found a great deal of support not just from those that suffer but also those who have relatives, spouses, friends that deal with this disorder. Just know that here you can be you and find the support and knowledge that perhaps you might not know about yet. Or ask those questions that you might be afraid to ask of your own pdoc or others.

Eme

Thank you! I am a little nervous for some unknown reason to share a lot of my experiences. This is such a personal disorder on so many levels. Then again I did seek this site out so I must want to talk about it! Did you have a problem talking about it and accepting it?