There are many avenues for parents to seek support for themselves and their families in dealing with brain disorders. Finding support can often be quite challenging as the parent of a child with bipolar disorder. Here you will find ideas on where to seek support, how to utilize it to your benefit and what types of support are usually available.

Support is...acknowledging my success.

Support is... understanding me.

Support is... trusting me.

Support is... allowing me to make my own decisions.

Support is... helping me to be patient and realistic.

Support is... sensitivity and consideration.

Support is... having you on my side.

In-person support groups are sometimes quite difficult to locate. It can require a bit of investigation and persistence at times but is well worth the effort.

Orange County Brain Disorder Parent Support: Orange County, California. OCBDParents.

Brainstorm San Diego~ online resources, listserv

The Indianapolis Bipolar Parents Organization has in person and email support groups available.

Online message support boards can be a good source of information, support and insight over a broad spectrum of ages and severity of illness. Message boards can be a great supplement to your support ring but in the complete absence of a local support group, this can be a great alternative.

Message Board: BPInfo Support Forum Message board where you can post questions and comments and exchange information with other parents.

Email support groups are also a great supplement or alternative option that many find beneficial. These types of support groups can be specific to age, co-morbidity or other special features. This is also quite often a much more personal type of support that can lead to close relationships amongst the participants.

Email support: HSNBD Email Support Group HSNBD is an active email group of parents of children who have Bipolar Disorder.

Brainstorm San Diego is a listserv dedicated to serving people in San Diego, CA.

Family, friends and church supports for many are rare and difficult to find, although not all. Due to the lack of public knowledge and understanding of this complex disorder, evidence of symptoms as behavioral manifestation and the historical stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders, it is understandable why many are not supportive. Through patient education of those close to us it is often possible to recruit and establish a fantastic support system locally.