Bipolar / manic depression group in Ireland?

totierne · 21-11-2008 12:47am #1

Any chance of there being a bipoalr / manic depression group in Ireland - even a regular thread?

I have tried:
-aware.ie (group meetings for depression)
-grow.ie (group meetings 'Alcoholics Anonymous' for mental health)
-Manic Depression Fellowship (Britain) (group meetings they have a electronic forum)
-fyreniyce (Austrailian mailing list).

I think I need a smaller forum - the smaller the forum the higher the percentage of active participants.

Usual existentialist angst:
-will I go into remission (no mania in 5 years, previously 5 breakdowns, one every 3 years.)
-Will I keep my job.(been in it for 10 years)
-Generally keep work life family balance.
-What are the drugs (Lithium & zyprexa/olanzipene) doing to me (I mean besides the putting on weight and general flatness)/ can I think or socialise my way out of this.

What did people think of the Horizon programs (bbc2 9pn last Tuesday and the Tuesay before - can shrinks pick out the mad people from normal people)

Just generally want to touch base with other manics once a month to expand my social outings and not be afraid of being caught being overly 'up' or inhibited.

There is a bit of the starting something or joining something small I can help develop - but I am sure my meglomania can be controlled by regular beatings.

-Turloch

Dee34 · 15-07-2009 12:26pm

Hi Turloch,

I was wondering if you had any luck in finding a support group (North East / Dublin area) for people suffering with bi-polar?

My friend is looking to talk to someone who has been through the same as he has.

Thanks,
Dee

Zilch · 04-02-2010 11:01am

Just wondering if anyone at all out there knows of a Bipolar support group in the Dublin area on any evening of the week. If they do, would they please post it as I have also looked into it and cannot find anything from my own searches. Many thanks.

myelasticeye · 09-02-2010 10:53pm

Im in the same position in Dundalk, tried Aware etc but i really just need 2 talk 2 other people (suffering lmao) with bipolar. Just about concealled h.mania at work this week besides telling my manager how to run the project, i would love enjoy kicking off with someone that won t run away from me. TakeCareGrowHairsEatPears

Zilch · 10-02-2010 12:05pm

Im in the same position in Dundalk, tried Aware etc but i really just need 2 talk 2 other people (suffering lmao) with bipolar. Just about concealled h.mania at work this week besides telling my manager how to run the project, i would love enjoy kicking off with someone that won t run away from me. TakeCareGrowHairsEatPears

Hi, what did Aware tell you? Did they give you advice on where you should go locally? If they did, I think you should go or else go to your G.P. If you have to make an appointment tell the secretary that you suffer from BiPolar and you think its about to spiral out of control. Do it today and don't keep putting it off because you hate the thoughts of whats to follow, i.e. the hassle that your patience can't seem to take. Yes you could find someone that you could kick off with, but unfortunately that person wouldn't be feeling very well either and all either of you will do is feed each other. Forgive my terminology, I'm not a counsellor so don't know the exact thing to say to you. But I do know you need to find help today before you do something that you will regret forevery when you are level again. You need to go back to Aware or into your GP and tell them you are holding on by only a thread and need help now. It's awful I know and terrible lonely, but this will at least get the ball rolling towards getting you well again.

NOW - if only I could find that support group for myself

Gerardine · 24-05-2010 5:01pm

Hi Zilch,

I first got depressed 14 years ago in my early 30's. I live in Dublin and have often wondered about a support group specifically for bipolar mood disorder sufferers. I find it hard to be open about the condition, actaully have not had any extreme episodes in the last four years, but I took on a lot of extra pressure in the last two years and I got a bit more high on buying unnessacry things and feeling fine for a while before Christmas, I experienced a short but intense low period in Feb/March 2010 and feel more even again now, but find that I am a little despondent about the future. I have been looking on the internet for stories of people who stopped having to cope with moods altogether and I can't find them, I'm having trouble accepting that I may have to live with these symptoms for the rest of my life. It just feels unfair....

Gerardine

myelasticeye · 15-06-2010 12:59am

I would be interested in starting a support group myself here in Dundalk if anyone is interested please contact me here.

rowntree77 · 23-06-2010 5:22pm

myelasticeye wrote: »

I would be interested in starting a support group myself here in Dundalk if anyone is interested please contact me here.

I would be interested!! I live in Kingscourt

snorlax · 27-06-2010 11:55pm

Hi I am an OT and one of the things we do is work with patients to try to achieve a work-life balance.

when I was a student one of the things we did was to set up a men's social group (for people aged 25-40). we had about 8 people in total in the group and we did different activities chosen by participants like going to the cinema, playing golf/ football, cooking, and getting a someone in to explain re-medications. The objectives of the group was for people to make friends as well as peer support/ developing non-pharmacological ways of dealing with problems.

As far as I can remember we weren't well funded and my senior at the time had to use a kitty to pay for the clients to go the cinema. however the people involved in the group seemed to get a lot out of it and once we organised the first session or two the group became self run.

I don't know if they're are similar groups in your area run by the HSE but it might be worth checking out or ask your psychiatrist for a referral to your community OT. Samaritans might be worth a try too.

roundabouts · 27-08-2010 3:53am

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of putting together a support group in drogheda for people suffering with bi-polar disorder. I will post more details in a few weeks when i have confirmation of a first meeting. If anyone is interested in attending or want any information or even just a chat send me a message. Dont suffer in silence. Your not alone. And if there is more of a demand for one in dundalk then we can look into starting one there first. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from anyone.

rhonda15 · 01-09-2010 9:03pm

Gerardine wrote: »

Hi Zilch,

I first got depressed 14 years ago in my early 30's. I live in Dublin and have often wondered about a support group specifically for bipolar mood disorder sufferers. I find it hard to be open about the condition, actaully have not had any extreme episodes in the last four years, but I took on a lot of extra pressure in the last two years and I got a bit more high on buying unnessacry things and feeling fine for a while before Christmas, I experienced a short but intense low period in Feb/March 2010 and feel more even again now, but find that I am a little despondent about the future. I have been looking on the internet for stories of people who stopped having to cope with moods altogether and I can't find them, I'm having trouble accepting that I may have to live with these symptoms for the rest of my life. It just feels unfair....

Gerardine

I was diagnosed with bipolar 6 years ago and it's been a real struggle to cope with - something I know I'm going to have to struggle with the rest of my life. And yes it does seem really unfair. I'm a little despondent right now as I have just been accepted onto a course I really wanted to do but circumstances have changed and I don't think I'll be able to secure the finances I need to do it. And yes I do worry very much about the future - thankfully I have a very supportive family though I do worry that my disability can be a real burden on them sometimes.
Like you I also find it very hard to be open about the condition as I don't want to be prejudged by people - I feel I'm a "normal" person struggling with an illness. I would love a forum where I could chat with others who struggle with this very cruel, "invisible" but very real disease.

myelasticeye · 12-09-2010 10:03pm

rowntree77 wrote: »

I would be interested!! I live in Kingscourt

If anyone is interested please contact me here regarding a Bipolar group meeting. Regards G

nismat · 09-10-2010 4:15pm

roundabouts wrote: »

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of putting together a support group in drogheda for people suffering with bi-polar disorder. I will post more details in a few weeks when i have confirmation of a first meeting. If anyone is interested in attending or want any information or even just a chat send me a message. Dont suffer in silence. Your not alone. And if there is more of a demand for one in dundalk then we can look into starting one there first. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from anyone.

Id be interested in attending

greengrl · 19-10-2010 4:28pm

i'm in donegal town. it would be great to have a bipolar group here. i've gone to grow and aware. aware is fine but w/grow, i've gotten fed up with having to call myself "inadequate" and "maladjusted", essentially blaming myself for having bipolar disorder. what's that about?!! it would be beyond my wildest dreams to chat about bipolar disorder with people who actually have the illness. i think it's just incomprehensible to people with depression and anxiety and quite frankly i feel like i've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to explain it to people in support groups.

rebelpebble · 09-11-2010 4:00pm

Hi everyone. My friend and I are in the process of putting together a project with the intention of dismantling some of the stigma that surrounds mental illness. We hope to interview people with bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety etc. the interviews will be discuss when your illness started, how you have learned to cope with it, what your life is like now, etc. My friend will then take two portrait photographs of each interviewee to display how 'normal' people with a mental illness are and what an important part of society we form. I am a composer and hope to turn the interviews into pieces of music. we hope to exhibit this work in several galleries around Ireland. We need people who would be willing to take part in this project. We are based in Waterford but can come to you. We'd really appreciate any help with this project. please PM me with any questions. Thanks!

rowntree77 · 13-11-2010 11:11pm

roundabouts wrote: »

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of putting together a support group in drogheda for people suffering with bi-polar disorder. I will post more details in a few weeks when i have confirmation of a first meeting. If anyone is interested in attending or want any information or even just a chat send me a message. Dont suffer in silence. Your not alone. And if there is more of a demand for one in dundalk then we can look into starting one there first. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from anyone.

Hi, I'm definitly interested in attending a support group in Drogheda. It's not too far from me, I live in Kingscourt. I'm recovering from mania, mixed manias depression since end of August and spent 2 montnths in hospital but thankfully am almost back to my old self. You're great to be getting this group set up!!
Joyce

Mart10 · 08-04-2011 10:20pm

Hi,
I would be interested in a support group in galway, anyone else interested?

flowerchild · 09-04-2011 7:55am

How about expanding membership to those who are friends/unfriends of those with bipolar/manic experiences?

Mart10 · 13-04-2011 1:46pm

Hi
was hoping for group for individuals who have MD or think they do, carers, family and friends, it would need location, a feel simple rules, like not dominating the time, listening and privacy for what goes on, and would need a location. and a couple or more people to have the motivation to be there each month for an hour or two.
once it started, or get get started some form of advertisment, e.g. a link form aware or such site to give people contact details and area its on.

Mawbish · 27-04-2011 12:35pm

Check out GROW www.grow.ie & they're on Facebook too.
There are weekly group meetings that cover all aspects of mental illness & isolation including bipolar / manic deppression

From the website: -

Please feel free to call the GROW Infoline on 1890 474 474, or email us at info@grow.ie.

GROW is a Mental Health Organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems. Members are helped to recover from all forms of mental breakdown, or indeed, to prevent such happening. GROW, founded in Australia in 1957 by former mental sufferers, has a national network of over 130 Groups in Ireland. Its principal strength is the support members give each other from their own experience in matters to do with mental health. GROW is grant aided by all of the Health Boards and by the Department of Health and Children.

billyhead · 22-06-2011 10:00pm

Hi,

I have recently being diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I was just wondering does anyone know of a meeting group for this in the North County Dublin area. (Swords/Skerries/Rush area)

Carpe Jugulum · 28-04-2012 7:33pm

Hi all
First post - live in Wexford - would anyone know of any Bipolar Groups that meet in Southeast?
You guys have no idea how much your posts help me btw - thanks

Chazz Michael Michaels · 07-06-2012 6:22pm

Mawbish wrote: »

Check out GROW www.grow.ie & they're on Facebook too.
There are weekly group meetings that cover all aspects of mental illness & isolation including bipolar / manic deppression

From the website: -

Please feel free to call the GROW Infoline on 1890 474 474, or email us at info@grow.ie.

GROW is a Mental Health Organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems. Members are helped to recover from all forms of mental breakdown, or indeed, to prevent such happening. GROW, founded in Australia in 1957 by former mental sufferers, has a national network of over 130 Groups in Ireland. Its principal strength is the support members give each other from their own experience in matters to do with mental health. GROW is grant aided by all of the Health Boards and by the Department of Health and Children.

The 12 Steps to Recovery
We admitted we were inadequate or maladjusted to life.
We firmly resolved to get well and co-operated with the help that we needed.
We surrendered to the healing power of a wise and loving God.
We made personal inventory and accepted ourselves.
We made moral inventory and cleaned out our hearts.
We endured until cured.
We took care and control of our bodies.
We learned to think by reason rather than by feelings and imagination.
We trained our wills to govern our feelings.
We took our responsible and caring place in society.
We grew daily closer to maturity.
We carried GROW’s hopeful healing and transforming message to others in similar need.

Any non-religious/theist specific groups out there?

Bipolarchick91 · 23-05-2013 4:12am

https://www.facebook.com/groups/505261149529458/.

Max001 · 28-11-2013 4:37am

As others have said. Thanks everyone, for sharing.

Did a Dublin group ever get started?

I'm not interested in organisations or methods involving religion. Other than that, I'll grab any help and support that's out there

Micha_8 · 04-02-2014 2:29am

Great to see a recent enough post on this thread.
Starting a Bipolar support group is something I've been thinking about for a while. It will be in the city centre probably over tea coffee somewhere spacious and central at first until I can find an alternative location

Anyone interested in taking part post here or feel free to PM me. I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Chazz Michael Michaels · 04-02-2014 10:27am

Meetup.com would be a great way of organising this.

stcatherine · 05-02-2014 9:06pm

Hi folks,

This sounds like a great idea and if I weren't out in the sticks I'd love something like this

Just been diagnosed with BP II and Purely obsessive OCD and oh how nice it would be to be able to speak without having to watch what I say or go home worrying about what I said.

Hope ye get this going as there is just not enough being done for mental health issues

fine example .... My 12 year olds teacher rang me yesterday to say she over heard him discussing my bipolar with some classmates and it wasnt appropriate conversation in school and that she had " 28 other boys to consider " ... consider from what ??

jaysus it's not like I'm a prostitute selling her body for money. I'm still riled about this now .

05-02-2014 9:10pm

I would be very interested in joining a group. Was diagnosed in 2006 and basically there is no specialised group anywhere to chat about it. In Naas but would venture into City Centre for it!

RainyDay · 05-02-2014 10:40pm

stcatherine wrote: »

fine example .... My 12 year olds teacher rang me yesterday to say she over heard him discussing my bipolar with some classmates and it wasnt appropriate conversation in school and that she had " 28 other boys to consider " ... consider from what ??

That's terrible, that a teacher in position of leadership and power is taking the traditional oul Oirish approach of 'Sssshhhh, let's not talk about, and then we can pretend it wouldn't happen'. No disrespect to those with other conditions, but if you had cancer, they'd be signing cards and running cake sales for you. But mental health conditions are something to be hushed up.

I'm sure it's the last thing that you need, but if you felt you had the energy for a fight on this, I think you'd get a lot of support. Maybe a direct chat with the teacher, explaining that the days of hushing up mental health conditions are over might help.

Or it might be best for you just to roll with it - whatever you think is best yourself.

Micha_8 · 06-02-2014 12:08am

Yes, its clear the stigma against mental health matters appears to be very bad in this country, from what I have experienced also. I think you have to be so careful as it seems to some people being bipolar can mean that you are a criminally insane maniac. They just don't understand.

It sounds like the teacher's phone call was very upsetting. But please don't be too annoyed. I hope you will find an empowering way to respond to it.
*****************************************************************
Am definitely interested to set up this regular meet up, it will most likely be fortnightly or monthly depending on what people want and can manage. Delighted to hear people would be willing to travel into Dublin for it, I think it will be worth it!!!

Re meetup I did think of that before but feel that boards.ie is bit more anonymous…? There are other organisations out there connected with mental health that may be willing to advertise for us to get more people on board, so I will work on that too and keep you posted.
We will only get out of this what we put in, but we have to make a start at least

http://www.bipolaruk.org.uk is a fantastic organisation that holds meetings all over London and the UK, I was living there for a while and attended their meetings sometimes.
I think it would be wonderful if we had something like that here!

Bipolar / manic depression group in Ireland?

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