professional help or peer support?

Do you prefer professional help or peer support?

At this stage of my life (54) i much prefer peer support. To me, it feels like psychiatrists and therapists are trying to help me with their brain and that offends me because i too have a brain. Peer supporters on the other hand, try and help with their heart. That's a lot more comforting.

I'm lucky to live in a city with excellent peer support resources. We have two large support groups that serve bipolars. One is for mental health in general and the second is for mood disorders specifically. They both have a raft of offerings, including a half-hour of phone-in peer support per day, a daily ZOOM drop-in social hour, a weekly ZOOM support group, etc. And that's just during COVID times.

I'm really blessed. I saw psychiatrists and therapists early in my diagnosis 30 years ago but i found they did as much harm as they did help. I'm in Canada and it's usual to be referred back into the care of a GP after seeing specialists for a while. Suits me fine!

I would say a bit of both

I'm scared of zoom so it's just professional help for a near year I have received.

Our monthly bipolar support group (peer led) is now on zoom, has changed days and is led by someone other than the 2 faciliators and from what I hear is small compared to our normal old self. As I say cause its on zoom I don't do it

I have been able to access through phone consultation only my Psychiatrist and Therapist. Its not ideal but hey ill take it. Therapist is near weekly and Psychiatrist has been every 3 months

I have been fortunate to be able to access my Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), my Peer Support Worker and my now ex Community Support Worker (she discharged me) all through face to face albeit with masks on and social distanced but still it's helped me tremendously.

Face to face is definitely for me. I struggle through any other mode to be honest. Definitely not into or up for video calls of any sort. I can get it done for my Psychiatrist but have declined.

I did have to do it twice and I was petrified and self conscious and paranoid and anxious and everything else you want to add

All three is the ideal for me, but I could see a point where peer support could possibly replace a therapist. Obviously not a psychiatrist, though, since in my case I do need the medications.

I would want some professional to turn to. For people who reject medications, I think peer support alone would likely not be enough. At least occasional appointments with a professional might be best. Bipolar disorder is an illness.

I am a peer support specialist. I think peer support is great!

i have never tried peer support although i suppose this forum has some things in common with it. Perhaps i prefer therapists on principle although they haven't been of much help to me. i think everyone should look out for whatever helps them cope better as everyone is obviously different. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @whatever2013, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

I prefer professional support, but any one on one support is better for me. I have a tough time communicating with a group of people. Even with my family who is very supportive. I am able to communicate in a group but it is hard for me. I’ve gotten better at it.

Peer support is great because it’s evidence based support for an individual from someone who “gets it”!

I am a Peer 2 Peer volunteer working well prior to Covid-19 in a day centre for people with mental health issues ages 18-65 years. It's a great job to do and I personally get a lot out of it. Your able to share experiences, talk about things and get them more than a professional does as you are the one with the lived experiences

Professional help for meds, peer support for support. Keep 'em separated!

I also find this is a good idea (keeping them separated)

Wow! That’s amazing that you can have a half hour of phone in peer support per day! What an awesome resource!!

I really value both peer and professional support.

I have a couple close friends who have bipolar, and it is amazing to have people in my life who “get” it. They mean so much to me.

I also have phone checkins with my care manager every week and she is amazing and super supportive.

I go in and out of therapy, kinda depending on where I’m at in life... sometimes weekly, sometimes not for several months.

My pdoc is great in managing meds- I see her once every few months but thankfully she will respond to emails fairly promptly when I need it.

Super grateful for all the support I have, I couldn’t do this wild ride without it <3

I value, and require, all three at this time in my life. I can't compare them, really. Each type of support has such a distinct function.

For me, pdoc for meds, a therapist for psychological support and insight, and online peer support to know that I'm not alone in the world (i.e., here!). Online because I really don't like talking about my experiences to a group in person.