Me: I get better support online. I find that people on this site and on reddit "just get it" because they HAVE been in my shoes, unlike most therapists and psychiatrists (since the majority of them do not have BP). So, people online just know what to say and always have good advice.

When it comes to real life, I don't have anyone to talk to except for my therapist and a few people on this site who I text. I am also not "open" about my diagnosis, so I have never gone to DBSA or NAMI before to meet others with BP.

[Miss Laura]

It's a bit of both.

Online help can be great for at that moment in time when your alone and in need of help/advice.

Irl I have a good network (family, Psychiatrist, Peer Worker, Community Support Worker, CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse), Therapist). I would of said friends if they were there for me but they aren't. I have 3 friends all female and they are all about themselves. I haven't heard from them since Christmas and it's not for a want of trying.

Plus I attend a monthly Bipolar Support Group which is held for 2 hours a month.

I have called/emailed the samaritans if i really need to talk i try not to rely on this though as i know there are people worse off than myself needing their help.

My husband and psychiatrist are great support. Other than them, I would say that PC is my next greatest support. My therapist tries, but it just isn't quite what I need. I love my siblings, but they are too overwhelmed by their own lives. I understand that. They could say the same about me. No one else is really supportive.

[*Beth*]

Therapist and pdoc are outstandingly supportive. That's it, though. I feel the most understanding and support comes from PC

My best support is irl (the group I go to), but here is a close second

[bpcyclist]

PC friends and my psychiatrist by far. I don't have anyone in real life that I can depend on. People don't want to hear about your latest psychotic episode or your suicidality. I visited my oldest pal in Spetember and was totally up front with him about how suicidal I had been then. He texted me to be sure I got home on the train safe and sound, which was very thoughtful. But he has not once just sent a three-word text to sorta check on me, which is something I would personally have done had I been in his shoes. I would have been worrying about the suicidality thing.

But again, I love him to death, but he has a perfect life. Is like, the number 8 person at the largest bank in the world and makes several million dollars a year. His youngest daughter is going to be a huge star in the music industry, so frigging amzingly talented singer. On and on. They'd much rather talk to their friend about his motorcycle trip to Italy or how their perfect childrena are all doing at Stanford and Smith. Nobody wants to deal with us, in my experience. That's why I am so grateful for you guys and my pdoc.

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

PC friends and my psychiatrist by far. I don't have anyone in real life that I can depend on. People don't want to hear about your latest psychotic episode or your suicidality. I visited my oldest pal in Spetember and was totally up front with him about how suicidal I had been then. He texted me to be sure I got home on the train safe and sound, which was very thoughtful. But he has not once just sent a three-word text to sorta check on me, which is something I would personally have done had I been in his shoes. I would have been worrying about the suicidality thing.

But again, I love him to death, but he has a perfect life. Is like, the number 8 person at the largest bank in the world and makes several million dollars a year. His youngest daughter is going to be a huge star in the music industry, so frigging amzingly talented singer. On and on. They'd much rather talk to their friend about his motorcycle trip to Italy or how their perfect childrena are all doing at Stanford and Smith. Nobody wants to deal with us, in my experience. That's why I am so grateful for you guys and my pdoc.

It is a shame when friends' lives are so different that they fade out of the picture to varying degrees. Of course I have experienced this. In the case of my last friend that stuck by me for longer than others, when she had kids that pretty much ended it. [I don't have any.] Plus, she had been a work friend. In some of those cases, when you don't have anything comparable (or near) to talk about...well... Plus, I learned that she was talking to others about me behind my back in a bad way. I dislike that immensely. I don't do that to people.

The above friend contacted me a number of months ago and offered to get together, sort of in a way as if she would be doing me a favor. Given all of the above, I had to tactfully say no. The friendship is over. I do hope your friendship survives, if there is still value in it.

[~Christina]

My T , Pdoc , I try to keep my BP really out of my marriage in general, my husband is always here for me , but I have numerous deep friendship with people I have met here over the years.

If I’m in X mood... people support me , I don’t have to explain... we all just “ get it” it’s a wonderful feeling of comfort

[Fuzzybear]

I find that many people online are more understanding, supportive and respectful than some I have crossed paths with IRL. I have also found some wonderful friends online who ''get'' me. Although also some who do not.

My husband is wonderful and understanding. Some others in real life, not so much.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

It is a shame when friends' lives are so different that they fade out of the picture to varying degrees. Of course I have experienced this. In the case of my last friend that stuck by me for longer than others, when she had kids that pretty much ended it. [I don't have any.] Plus, she had been a work friend. In some of those cases, when you don't have anything comparable (or near) to talk about...well... Plus, I learned that she was talking to others about me behind my back in a bad way. I dislike that immensely. I don't do that to people.

The above friend contacted me a number of months ago and offered to get together, sort of in a way as if she would be doing me a favor. Given all of the above, I had to tactfully say no. The friendship is over. I do hope your friendship survives, if there is still value in it.

And I am so sorry about the story with your work friend. I particularly appreciate your bringing up this idea that others are doing us a big favor merely by contacting us once every few years. It's completely ridiculous. I hope that her call did not stir up too much old stuff for you.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

And I am so sorry about the story with your work friend. I particularly appreciate your bringing up this idea that others are doing us a big favor merely by contacting us once every few years. It's completely ridiculous. I hope that her call did not stir up too much old stuff for you.

I've had exactly this experience, someone acted as if they were doing me a big favour by contacting me after... years. It did stir up a lot of stuff for me

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

It is a shame when friends' lives are so different that they fade out of the picture to varying degrees. Of course I have experienced this. In the case of my last friend that stuck by me for longer than others, when she had kids that pretty much ended it. [I don't have any.] Plus, she had been a work friend. In some of those cases, when you don't have anything comparable (or near) to talk about...well... Plus, I learned that she was talking to others about me behind my back in a bad way. I dislike that immensely. I don't do that to people.

The above friend contacted me a number of months ago and offered to get together, sort of in a way as if she would be doing me a favor. Given all of the above, I had to tactfully say no. The friendship is over. I do hope your friendship survives, if there is still value in it.

I've had friends fading out of my life for similar reasons. I also dislike that immensely when people talk to others about me behind my back in a bad way. I don't do that to people either. It's so petty and just mean. I'm sorry that friend was as she was. She was doing you a favour? I would have said no to her, tactfully (probably) also.

[cashart10]

IRL... my t and pdoc are amazing, plus I have my husband, mom and even best friend and sister if I need them.

However, there is something very special about this site and communicating/getting support from people who actually get it! Sometimes nothing compares to that!

[Blue_Bird]

I get good support in real life (case manager, therapist, psychiatrist, a couple friends, family) but I also get a ton online especially here on PC, the Schiz forum specifically I've been posting on everyday for years and everyone there feels like family. PC in general is just a wonderful site, hard to believe I've been on here for going on 7 years now