Friendship and BP...?

I have been living with BP for many, many years. I've always had good friends, but over the past 5 years, as my illness has gotten progressively worse, my friends have drifted away. I guess hypomania can be charming, but full blown psychosis is just TIRING. And most of my friends have been hanging around with me for 20-30 years. Luckily, I'm getting better with medication, therapy, and routine. But I am very lonely and I lack social support. My partner shouldn't be, nor can she be, my entire world. But I'm shy about going around people [I feel bad about myself as a person, although I try to remember that I have good points, many good points] and am sort of at a loss about where I can meet new people who might be inclined to be open to someone with mental illness.

Thanks for reading this. Perhaps I will feel better because I got this off my chest.
Hopeful Camel

There are allot of interest groups where I live. Even though you may not now have the same interests, it still may be worthwhile to go to the groups local to you. For instance, there is a hiking group, a bicycling group, and a group interested in panning for gold where I live, which is the most interesting group to meet. Then there is the toy train group, the group that plays board games, RC plane group....

Hi I can kinda relate to you and have a suggestion to offer. I found friends and support by attending support groups. Their were two different groups I attended. One for mental illnesses (all) and one that focused directly on BP. I found two wonderful friends through a BP support group and numerous resources. Since then I've moved out of state and I do not have my two close friends anywhere near by. I have to get motivated to find another support group. I just miss my friends.

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What types of things do you like to do?

I like to go for walks, to read, to watch movies, and to converse. I actually don't have a hard time making friends. It is just that I have been very sick and my friends are wearing thin. They are tired, and I am tired of me, too. I would like to get ideas for support groups. That is actually what I think I need. Is NAMI a good place to go, in anyone's opinion? Other names of support groups that one might find in a medium large city? Thanks so much for your input!

I second the support group mention. I have just recently started going to them and they have been helpful so far. You can just sit and listen if you don't want to share at first, and as you get more comfortable you can reach out to others. They will sometimes have other meetups that are more casual associated with them as well, like just getting coffee, or going to book signings. I recommend checking out Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (google DBSA, I can't post links yet, to find a group in your area).

Also I think it's important to realize that everyone is dealing with something. Family problems, financial stress, physical health issues, etc. You are not alone, it's good to keep conversations surface level at first but as you get to know people more they may open up and you can share with them too.

My last manic episode effected all my social circles and I certainly lost or isolated people from me. But those who really cared are still around, it almost acted as a filter of sorts. I still remain somewhat isolated though, it took a lot of strength to just start going to groups. I haven't made any friends in group yet, but I'm not quite ready for that, I just went to my third meeting.

Friends come and go, when you are ready to reach out to old friends or try to meet new ones then go for it. Connect with people casually at first if it feels overwhelming - go see a movie or something, or schedule an activity with an old friend. Let things develop organically, if deeper discussion comes up then so be it. Hope that helps some.

I'd do a book club, game night, depending on what shows & movie you like there are groups that hang out and watch the shows.

I think NAMI is a great place to start. They are a very large organization with chapters all over. I'm thinking of looking into maybe seeing if I could work for something like NAMI or DBSA once I feel I can work again.

NAMI can be a great place to meet people, they have classes and opportunities to volunteer in addition to the support group. I made quite a few friends through my association with it. I would recommend trying them out.

Thanks, everyone! I checked and my local NAMI has a DBPS group as well as a friday night get-together with a movie and potluck. So I am going to dip my toe in. Thanks, too, for the notion that I don't have to be a social butterfly right off the bat. This last bout of mania-from-hell has worn me out and left me feeling vulnerable. Hugs to all.

DBSA
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance.
U can Google it to go to their website. There u can go to the location section and see if they have one in ur area.

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