The purpose of this group is to meet other people suffering from bipolar disorder. To discuss symptoms (and how they effect our jobs, activities and relationships), moods, medications, natural solutions, and treatments in a group that attempts to be as neutral and positive as possible. And maybe even make some new bipolar friends.

I started this group because I was dissatisfied with other groups I had joined in the past. Certain discussions at such group(s) seemed to veer off into inappropriate debates of an offensive and accusatory socio-political nature, including unnecessarily bringing up inflammatory topics, cultural/ethnic/societal issues, political affiliations, etc. Many seemed set up to be a personal social club for the organizer, with an atmosphere that favored a core group of people who had been in the group longest.

I am not a psychologist/psychiatrist or an expert (although I do read articles on the topic whenever I can), but I do promise to bring my most supportive and neutral self to the group. I would expect others to do the same, particularly due to the vulnerable and sensitive nature of the group and disorder.

On a side note, I do not believe in censorship, and I am all for people having informal conversations (about love, relationships, jobs, art, etc), but I would encourage people to stay away from divisive ones like politics and cultural debates. Bipolar people cannot afford to have their day (and mood) ruined by people attempting to exploit the group to further their own personal agendas, demean certain “groups” of people, or use the group as a debate club or an extension of a political party. Those conversations are, by their very nature, animosity provoking in others, emotionally intense and upsetting (especially for bipolar people), and therefore counter-productive to the purpose of the group, which is to be a healing and supportive force in people's lives.

If you want to meet with a group that does it's best to maintain an environment of neutrality and support and STAYS ON TOPIC by not encouraging divisive political or cultural conversations, join this!