It’s often difficult to find the knowledge we need to live with bipolar disorder on a daily basis. Medical information is a good start, but who’s going to help us manage the nitty-gritty parts of life that are made more challenging with bipolar disorder?
I call this kind of knowledge “street knowledge”. Street knowledge about bipolar disorder can make the difference between feeling stuck and finding clarity and hope. You can gain street knowledge from others who are challenged with bipolar disorder–your peers. One excellent way to learn the street knowledge you need is to connect with others through support or recovery groups that are focused on these 3 elements:

* Education

* Peer empowerment

* Problem solving around life challenges

Education

The first-rate education that can occur in a peer led support or recovery group is right off the street instead of from a medical textbook. Both types of education–direct experience and reading books–are valuable in managing the challenges of a psychiatric illness. The best advice I can give you is to become an expert in the illness you are facing. Becoming an expert consists of learning as much from the medical community about the your diagnosis and treatment as possible. It also includes learning about your personal illness experience. Medical knowledge is essential and helps you find and utilize treatment that is most appropriate.

Street knowledge, however, is what helps you live from day to day and minute to minute with the challenges of your illness. Street knowledge embraces topics from how to keep from forgetting to take your medication to how to explain your illness to your best friend. You may want to learn how to tell (or not tell) your boss about your diagnosis. You may be asking what to do when you feel stuck in recovery. Or how you can save money when medical bills are mounting. Or just what can you do for recreation (for free).

Within a safe environment of a high-quality support or recovery group, you can learn from and teach others the ins and outs of living with an illness. These lessons are part of an illness experience that goes beyond the textbook knowledge you may get from other sources. They may take place formally in a group with planned educational events or informally with conversations among members. Either way, street knowledge is where the rubber meets the road. It covers a host of questions that may never be answered in therapy. Street knowledge complements treatment, but is never a substitute or treatment.

Peer Empowerment

The wealth of support or recovery groups is peer empowerment. Peer empowerment is the currency of recovery. It has been shown to be an effective means, leading to better medical outcomes for individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. More importantly, peer empowerment is associated with greater satisfaction in life.

Peers might be those with the same or similar diagnoses. They could be friends or family members who are experiencing challenges due to the effects of a psychiatric diagnosis of someone they love. Peer empowerment recognizes the person beyond the diagnosis and encourages achievement of goals and dreams. Peers demonstrate mental wellness and recovery from illness. They share their own challenges and validate your struggles.

Like education, peer empowerment is a two way street. Identifying strengths in your peers can help you recognize your own strengths. Learning to have power over a psychiatric illness builds courage and determination that enable you to accomplish your recovery goals.

Problem Solving Around Life Challenges

A well-run support or recovery group will provide opportunities for problem solving. In fact, the recovery focus comes from consistently asking the question, “What are you doing to take care of yourself?” This question can prevent a group from bogging down into self-pity and unproductive venting of complaints about life or illness. Venting needn’t be discouraged; nor should it be lacking the purpose of quickly getting to a point where challenges are identified so active problem solving can begin.

Problem solving in a group is not giving advice. The conversational tone includes phrases such as these:

* I like the way you took care of yourself by coming tonight.

* When I felt that way about my doctor, it helped me to write down my questions so I could ask them at my next appointment.

* Have you ever tried going for a walk when you felt like screaming? I did that the other day and it saved my having a screaming fit. (The neighbors were glad to see me instead of hearing me!)

* Watching funny movies or calling friends have both helped me when I felt alone. What kinds of things help you when you are feeling so isolated?

Problem solving respects that each individual finds unique solutions to problems. Problem solving can have four basic steps:

1. Identifying the problem

2. Brainstorming approaches

3. Choosing an approach

4. Evaluating the approach and continuing or choosing a different approach

Problem solving in a group of peers requires a safe and supportive environment where confidentiality is respected. It can jump-start your efforts toward recovery.

Add These Features to Your Recovery Group

These are but three features of a healthy support or recovery group. They are high-quality traits to nurture in the group you choose. If you are new to support or recovery groups and have not tried one, look for these qualities in the groups you visit. Take a chance on a support or recovery group. You just might find the inside track to street education, peer empowerment, and problem solving around life challenges.