I think therapy & support groups are helpful. You can learn how to reduces stress, how to manage your illness better, what changes you need to make in your lifestyle to help you, what your triggers are & how to avoid them, etc. Plus I like knowing that I'm not alone in this quest for a better quality of life with a mental illness. One of the women I've gotten to know in my support group who also has bp has expressed concern about how I'm doing & convinced me to go to my meds provider. I see her in a week to see if my meds need to be adjusted.

My friend was able to explain symptoms that she recognized that I didn't & helped me to understand that I need to give my provider the full story of what is going on with me or she can't treat me as effectively. I didn't go see her when I was hypo manic (I just enjoyed it too much), but then I crashed & did some dangerous things so the advice to see her when I am manic was valid.

Hope you can find some good out of therapy & support groups. We are like a big support group here. I'm learning a lot from the people here.--Suzy P.S. You may have to try several therapists until you find one that clicks with you. I went through several until I found one I thought could be helpful to me. So interview the therapists. You are hiring them for a job & you have the right to see if they are a good fit for you. I'm also a loner, due to my illness, but as I mentioned, I'm finding some friends in my support group.