Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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I feel bad

MichEdge
MichEdge

I've been given some good advice throughout my life, but for some reason I'm terrible at giving it.  Whenever someone is struggling or needs support, I never know what to say, other than I'm sorry.  And many time more is needed then that.  Also, often times I don't quite understand completely what their talking about or trying to tell me. In fact I have trouble understanding a lot of things.  My psych says that it's because of the cognitive impairment from the schizophrenia part of me. But really it feels like I'm a dumb ass.  So, I'd like to tell everyone on here, if you ever are struggling or need some advice and I put out a comment stupid, please forgive me. It's not because my heart isn't with you.  I've always been an empathetic person, I just never know what to say.    

lilmissy7
lilmissy7
Hi Mich,
No way you’re not a dumb ass. It’s very nice that you care about people, personally that’s intelligence in my book. For me sometimes it’s really nice to just know someone’s listening & cares. I’m not much an advice giver myself because all my stuff too & dissociation problems. (I mean sometimes but usually I give empathy) empathy & just being there to listen is a great gift to give. There’s lots of times on certain people’s posts where I say ... ‘here with you listening & gentle hugs & stuff like that, because it makes me feel like maybe that person will hopefully know that someone’s listening & they matter. I have a lot of traumas that I write about on the ptsd board & a lot of people make me feel like it’s okay by just being there & caring.

So I think you’re doing great by caring
Big hugs <3
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
Just listening is practicing kindness, and that’s really valuable stuff!
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
Hey I often feel the same. I’ve decided that instead of saying “I’m sorry to hear that”. I say, “I’m sad to hear that” or my heart hurts to know you are experiencing that. A lot of times especially with something I haven’t experienced I just ask questions or say how can I support you during this time? That seems to be received well.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Not true at all Mich and Sunshine.... Sometimes simply sending a big hug of support feels really good

It's kindness and it's support.... Please don't be hard on you.... You are a very kind person.... Big hug ... xo
Insomniaman
Insomniaman
You can start traveling, I felt better after a long and heavy depression. This is the best medicine, to go to another country, to communicate with people and learn their life stories, thereby knowing the experience of another person, as well as, learn more about the people and culture. I, for example, decided to move to Singapore after I vacationed there. I went to https://www.pilotoasia.com/ opened a business in Singapore, and am now living life to the fullest. You should try it too.
lorrieonline
lorrieonline
Sorry I didn't see this before today. A lot of people feel the same way about wanting to say the right thing, the most helpful thing. I think someone I admired a lot (Leo F. Buscaglia) summed it up by saying that just being there to hold someone's hand is enough. Or like it was said above, sending a virtual hug is a wonderful acknowledgement.
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