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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too much self-help stuff??

blessedgirl
blessedgirl
Does anyone else get maxed out on self-help stuff??

I read books, internet articles, watch youtube videos...all trying to find "the answers" and "cure" myself, or become a better bipolar person, but I think I just drive myself batty.

It seems like the more I study that stuff, the worse I do. Like I obsess.

How much is too much? Should I stick with therapy and groups and leave the books and such aside? Or should I keep going on my search for the knowledge that might help me?
iam30113
iam30113
I think you should try to understand your condition rather than research ways to cure it. I found myself doing just what you did and it was just to much. Do therapy and groups, that will help. All the best!
rubyblue
rubyblue
I intellectualise as a defense mechanism so always have a book in my face....want to read everything that can help... it's all about balance.... got to be in the real world living and then dipping into books that can be of help to us.... dipping in and out of them as needed

no book is the holy grail... but I have had real 'eureka' moments from reading certain books
MoobbusT
MoobbusT
It depends on how I am feeling about myself at the time. Unless I am feeling strong holding a mirror up to myself is a mistake according to my good friend Mary Anne, and that instinctively seems correct.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It's a delicate balance, most definitely. I try not to dive into too many self-help books, but sometimes a helpful quote provides some assistance.
rosiestorm
rosiestorm
I think it depends on the mood ur in when ur doing it. But if you find it's helping you...keep on doing what ur doing.
rosiestorm
rosiestorm
If you find ur starting to obsess about it....limit the time ur researching it....then it might become more helpful?
pumpkinpumpkin
pumpkinpumpkin
I read self help books for maybe a decade 70's and 80's and then said no more. I did benefit some, but life is more complex than these books can address and also I was tired of examining how broken I was. I decided on books for entertainment. "I'm OK, You're OK" - I don't remember a word but that title was a good one.
GinaWonders
GinaWonders
I've been there - but all those books and crap, did teach me -

somethings are just life, and sometimes things just suck!!! Shame I had to learn that : )
affective
affective
I'm not much of a book reader but I have searched the internet about self-help. In the end I found most sites said the same thing. I did find a few youtube channels of people with bipolar which helped a bit.
dobiedots
dobiedots
I read a ton of self help books and never got anything out of it.
The only thing that changed my habits, my life was year long therapy.
darkenedheart
darkenedheart
The self-help books are only as good as you putting their good suggestions into practice and making them new habits. I find they are great to read and full of good info but I fail at changing my life. Old habits die hard. I've been reading them for decades and they helped a bit but at the end of the day people don't change their basic personality.

Obsessing over not living up to their suggestions sounds like its not good for you. Balance in your life is key.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I used to read a ton of self help books..... I found they helped a lot while I was reading them...

Most of them require a big life style or thought style change... So if you want them to work the changes have to be made much like therapy I often think without the depth of the personal 'stuff'

I don't read very many of them anymore however I do think they can help during the dark times... They're positive and I think positive reinforcement can help....xo
DoorMAwss
DoorMAwss
Yep, I agree with these guys....Self-help books are Great when you're in a Good Place in your life to Change....you know, when you're "feeling it".....and they're Still good to have around for when you Are "feeling it"....but they don't often work unless you're "feeling it".

:/
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