No matter how long you’ve been caring for a loved one who has bipolar disorder, it’s never easy to see signs of recklessness, irritability, or depression — especially if their comments or behaviors are directed at you.
The problem is, even giving in to those feelings of frustration can cause you to feel worse later on. You might feel guilty for losing your temper, for example, or ashamed for not being a better caregiver.
That’s where a little bit of support can go a long way. Nonprofit organizations and peer-led support groups can offer you both practical and emotional assistance, while helping you feel a little less alone in your role as a caregiver. Here are some of our favorite organizations.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a national organization that provides information, peer-led support, and other resources to individuals with depression and bipolar disorder, as well as their loved ones and caregivers.
Support groups, including ones for caregivers and family and friends, are available both online and in person. On the website, you can find updates on treatment options, facts about bipolar depression in children, and advice on how to connect with other parents and caregivers of people with bipolar disorder. You can also find helpful tools, such as the DBSA Wellness Tracker and DBSA Wellness Wheel, which can help with keeping tabs on mental health status and mood and setting goals for the future.
International Bipolar Foundation
An advocacy, education, and support organization that works to empower people living with bipolar disorder, the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) also recognizes the importance of providing support to caregivers of people living with bipolar disorder.
IBPF, which was started in 2007 by four parents with children affected by bipolar disorder, offers an array of in-depth webinars with experts about issues such as treatment options and ways to manage symptoms. Past webinars have included Convincing a Loved One to Get Counseling and Bipolar Support for Families.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country, providing support to people with conditions such as bipolar disorder, as well as their families and other loved ones.
Their NAMI Family Support Group is designed specifically for family members, friends, and significant others of people with mental health conditions. Led by peers, these free support group meetings (both online and in person) gather on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, depending on the location.
NAMI also offers free peer-led classes for families. The NAMI Family-to-Family program aims to improve a caregiver’s coping and problem-solving abilities. And the NAMI Basics program helps caregivers and parents of younger people with mental health conditions understand how to treat and manage the condition and respond to crisis situations, such as self-harm.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America (MHA) is a nonprofit organization that provides information and resources to caregivers of people with mental health conditions, including those with bipolar disorder.
As part of these efforts, MHA urges caregivers to take care of their own emotional, mental, and physical health. Their page on mental health resources for caregivers features articles and links to resources about how to cope with caregiving stress and plan for a crisis.