Help for Bipolar Depression: Where to Find It

Getting help for bipolar depression can make a positive difference in the quality of life of anyone living with this often-debilitating disorder. Several different types of bipolar depression help and support are available, and what you choose will depend on such factors as current level of mood stability, the nature and intensity of your depression symptoms, the area of your life that’s being impacted the most (relationships, work or school performance, motivation, etc.), and any other concerns you have about what you’re experiencing. When you know you need bipolar treatment help, it can be daunting to know where to begin. Use this resource to learn what sources of help for bipolar depression are available and how to find them.

Types of Help for Bipolar Depression

Because the support you need varies over time, different types of facilities and organizations exist. In general, you might receive treatment or support in these settings:

• Inpatient hospitals
• Outpatient programs based in hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Private psychiatrists
• Private mental health therapists
• Mental health organizations in your community

Inpatient treatment involves overnight stays, usually so medication can be monitored closely and adjusted until an effective combination and dosage is determined. While hospital programs vary greatly, many offer individual and group therapy, exercise programs, and other positive treatment experiences in addition to stabilization with medication.

Outpatient programs, no matter where they’re located, provide a focused therapy experience. Many outpatient treatment programs run for several hours each day for a set number of days or weeks. Focus is on helping people develop ways to ensure they follow through with their treatment plan and take medication correctly as well as developing coping skills for dealing with bipolar depression.

Private care providers, like psychiatrists and therapists, have an office that you visit at intervals determined by you and your doctor or therapist.

Community-based organizations are mental health groups that provide information, referrals, classes, and support groups. These can be an excellent source for learning how to create a quality life with bipolar depression.

Numerous sources of help are available, but sometimes they’re hard to find when you’re in the throes of a depressive episode. This collection of resources can help you find what you need to move forward past bipolar depression.

Where to Find Help for Bipolar Depression

You can find information locally, in your community. Common places include:

• Doctor’s offices and clinics
• Hospitals
• Community centers
• Libraries
• University or high school health centers

Online sources of help can be useful, too. These organizations have extensive resource pages that include links to more references, informative articles, and bipolar disorder treatment- and support group locators which allow you to search for bipolar depression help by zip code. Among the most reputable and helpful are:

• American Psychiatric Association: Help with Bipolar Disorder
• Mental Health [dot] Gov: How To Get Mental Health Help
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Find Support
• National Institute of Mental Health: Help for Mental Illnesses
• Mental Health America (MHA) Resource Center: Find an Affiliate
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Support Alliance (SAMHSA): Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
• International Bipolar Foundation: Get Help

A great source of bipolar depression help for children, teens, college students, and families are

• Active Minds: Chapter Network

Crisis lines are important to have on hand. If your bipolar depression ever makes you feel so hopeless that you consider harming yourself or taking your own life, these sources of bipolar depression help connect you with people who are there to listen, talk, and provide additional help.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK [8255])
• Suicide.org for international crises lines

Getting help for bipolar depression can help you not just survive the difficulties it creates but move past those difficulties and thrive. Use the above information to find people, programs, and support groups that fit you, then utilize the processes to start improving your life.

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