How to Build a Bipolar Support System If You Don't Have One

Many of you are lucky - when you were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, you had friends and family surrounding you who instantly become your Support System, eager to help you - all you have to do is tell them what to do and they're there for you.

Unfortunately, I hear from too many more of you who tell me how lucky my mom is to have me as her supporter, because they don't have any supporters other than themselves. So they (and you) are probably thinking how sad that must be, right? How sad it is not to have a Support System.

Well, I'll tell you. I hear this all the time at my Support Group, too. Only I hear a lot of whining when they say it. And I don't fall for it there, either. Just like I'm not falling for it here. See, there is just no reason not to have a Support System. You just think so. The only reason you don't have one is that no one showed you how to build one!

Well, I'm going to teach you how to build a Support System if you don't have one.

Take stock.
Look around you. Really take stock. Be honest. When you say that you have no family or friends that are supportive of you, are you really being honest? Or is it just that you don't want to be a burden to them? You may have more family and friends than you know, more people than you can count, who are just standing by to help you, who WANT to be a part of your Support System.

Ask for help.
Think about everyone you know around you (especially those who came to mind in #1). Think about those people who you think might want to help you, if you will just let them, if you will just ASK. Now, just ask them to help you. Start small. Just ask one person for help with one thing. Then another person for help with one thing. You will find that this asking for help thing works better than you thought!