Living with bipolar disorder often means navigating highs and lows that may feel unpredictable and affect nearly every aspect of your life. It’s a condition that can be difficult for many people without it to fully understand, but you don’t have to manage your mental health alone. With a combination of professional care, educational resources, self-management tools and other support systems, you can gain greater control over your mental and emotional well-being.

Lightfully Behavioral Health offers compassionate, multilevel mental health care. This guide provides an overview of the resources you can use to feel more empowered as you’re learning how to deal with bipolar disorder.

Professional mental health services

Professional guidance can make all the difference in your ability to effectively manage your condition. A mental health clinician who specializes in BD can assess your symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis (that includes any co-occurring conditions) and develop a treatment plan designed just for you. They can also offer trusted guidance as you work through any challenges that arise along the way. Clinical treatment providers may offer various levels of care, such as: 

• Residential Treatment Center (RTC) — An RTC provides 24-hour care in a welcoming, home-based setting. 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) — Also called a Day Treatment Program, this option provides structured, supportive care without overnight stays.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — This option offers day programs in outpatient settings for clients who need intensive support (more than therapy alone could provide).
• Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) — vIOP services combine IOP-level support with the flexibility and convenience of telehealth.

Keep in mind that facilities may vary in the services they provide, such as individual, group and family therapy and other advantages. So it’s important to find the one that’s a good fit for you and your mental health needs.

Bipolar disorder support groups and peer networks

As helpful as professional support can be, many people learning how to deal with bipolar disorder also benefit from connecting with others with similar conditions. These groups offer sources of encouragement and a sense of community that can be valuable as you navigate your mental health journey. Here are some examples of the networks that complement clinical care services:

• In-person support groups
• Peer specialists
• Online communities

Whether they’re in person or online, these options create spaces for you to share your own journey, learn from others and cultivate a social support system you can rely on. Here are some tips for finding a supportive group:

• Look for moderators — Trained facilitators and defined group guidelines provide structure and a certain level of safety.
• Pick a group that suits you — Many groups are geared toward specific communities or cover broader mental health topics, so you can find one that aligns with your unique experiences.
• Consider accessibility — Browse groups that will be easier to fit into your busy schedule.

Remember: Your needs may evolve, and when this happens, it’s OK to leave a group that isn’t a good fit for you anymore. You can always select another one you’ve researched or ask your provider for recommendations.

Educational resources for bipolar disorder

Understanding the type of bipolar disorder you have can help you manage it more effectively. Look for educational materials from reliable sources to learn more about your symptoms, treatment options and lifestyle strategies. For instance, you may find these online resources helpful:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
• International Bipolar Foundation (IBF)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Also, many of these websites and others offer valuable information for partners and caregivers, as well as individuals living with bipolar disorder. 

Digital wellness tools and mental health apps

Thanks to technology, a host of wellness tools and mental health apps are at your fingertips. While these aren’t a substitute for professional care, they can support you in many ways. Here are some examples:

• Sleep and lifestyle tracking apps
• Self-care, routine and wellness apps
• Mood and symptom trackers
• Guided meditation apps
• Medication alerts

Bipolar disorder safety plan

Another thing you can do is create your own resource in the form of a mental health safety plan. It may seem like an unfamiliar or unnecessary step at first, but it can be an important way for someone else to help you during crucial moments, especially if you’ve had suicidal thoughts, severe mood episodes or hospitalization in the past. Here are some of the things you can include in your mental health safety plan: 

• List of current health conditions
• Symptomatic/mood-related warning signs
• Coping strategies that usually help
• Who to contact when these signs arise
• What someone else can do to support your mental health
• List of medications and allergies
• Provider locations and contact information
• Health insurance information
• Emergency numbers

Learn how to deal with bipolar disorder at Lightfully

If you’re ready to get started, reaching out for help is a strong first step. With the right treatments, peer support and educational resources, you can find ways to better manage your symptoms and feel more in control of your well-being each day.

At Lightfully, our goal is to foster a community where everyone is seen, heard and valued as their authentic selves. We take a unique approach to treatment — our Precision Care Model (PCM) — and it’s the foundation for everything we do. Based on this framework, our licensed clinical therapists will create a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan to target the drivers behind your mental health condition and symptoms.

Change is possible. Reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team, so we can take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.