Do you feel isolated and have constant mood swings? Or do you feel like you are on a rollercoaster, but no one can see? Many individuals struggle alone due to societal stigma or not having support from loved ones. Lack of support makes their journey more challenging and debilitating.
However, Group therapy is an effective treatment for relieving the signs of bipolar disorder by providing a community and connections. Individuals experiencing the same conditions share their experiences and learn new coping skills.
In this article, you will get to know what bipolar disorder is, its signs, how group therapy helps in managing bipolar disorder, and the types of group therapy.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
A complex mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, such as mania and hypomania. Sometimes they feel extremely high and sometimes extremely low, as going beyond their control. However, it is highly manageable with the help of medication and therapies, such as group therapy. Bipolar disorder has three types, including bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder.
Here are some of the common signs of bipolar disorder
- Mood swigs
- Low self-esteem
- Extreme sadness
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Suicidal thoughts
- Talking too much
- Feeling of worthlessness
What is the role of group therapy in managing Bipolar Disorder?
Group therapy is an evidence-based treatment for treating bipolar disorder. Joining a support group provides a sense of connection, reduces isolation, and allows individuals to learn and grow. Group settings can be organized by a mental healthcare therapist. It helps in building new coping skills, emotional resilience, and shared learning.
Moreover, group therapy is the most effective tool for reducing the challenges associated with bipolar disorder.
Here is how group therapy provides benefits to people with bipolar disorder:
1. Overcoming isolation and fostering connections
People experiencing bipolar disorder often remain isolated due to societal stigma and misinterpretation. By joining a support group, they meet people who are experiencing similar mental conditions and break down the walls of isolation. It helps in providing a sense of connection as they share their experiences in a safe environment, which also reduces the stigma. It provides healthy connections that extend beyond the sessions.
2. Learning from Shared Experiences
People in a group setting share their experiences, and it provides an opportunity to learn from peers. Joining a support group helps in managing the mood swings, stress. It also provides validation, and people get motivated when they see positive changes in others or hear their success stories.
3. Enhance Social and Communication
Individuals experiencing bipolar disorder have difficulty managing relationships, as they are emotionally weak. However, a group setting provides a space where you can talk without fear of judgment. Meeting people also helps in building confidence and helps individuals learn how to set healthy boundaries for maintaining relationships.
4. Maintaining structure in life
Group therapy sessions are organized daily at a specific time. It helps individuals with bipolar disorder to maintain their routine and motivates them to attend treatments. Each session encourages members to reflect on their goals. Attending group sessions fosters a sense of responsibility as well.
What are the types of Group Therapy for Bipolar Disorder?
Here are some of the common types of group therapies that help in managing bipolar disorder.
1. Psychoeducation groups
It helps individuals by providing education about bipolar disorder. A trained therapist teaches participants to identify the triggers, signs, and treatments. However, having education about the specific diction helps individuals to deal with it more effectively, and it also reduces the risk of hospitalization.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT)
Cognitive behavioral group therapy is a technique that helps manage negative thought patterns into helpful ones that affect mood. It helps the mind to stay positive and improve the quality of life, and decreases the symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as the severity of mania and hypomania.
3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that provides both individual and group therapy. It guides individuals to maintain the symptoms that contribute to bipolar disorder, such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and grief tolerance.
Read More: Top 17 Behavior Therapy Methods & Their Significance
4. Family-Focused Therapy
Living with bipolar disorder is an uphill task, so the family members also need to have some knowledge about the condition. In Family-focused therapy, a therapist provides information to the family members about the specific condition. They help them by providing coping strategies to resolve their conflicts.
Read More: The Importance of Family Involvement in Child Therapy
5. Peer support groups
Peer support groups help individuals to overcome the symptoms of bipolar disorder. People who are struggling with similar mental health conditions share their experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment. It helps them to remain motivated throughout the treatment.
6. Art therapy
Art therapy helps individuals express their suppressed emotions by doing art. People with bipolar disorder express themselves by painting and coloring. This technique also helps in reducing stress by enabling the emotions in art and drawing.
7. Relapse prevention groups
There are high chances that bipolar disorder can also relapse again. However, relapse prevention groups help in identifying the signs of bipolar disorder and developing strategies that can help in managing bipolar disorder and maintaining stability.
For More: Understanding the Bipolar Symptoms in Men
Take the first step towards lasting wellness atBrainpower Wellness Institute
If you are looking for group therapy sessions and are confused about where to get started. Stop searching because Brainpower Wellness Institute is the ideal choice! We provide compassionate and comprehensive care for individuals struggling with bipolar disorder. Whether you’re struggling to manage bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, ADHD Treatment, or any other mental health condition, we are here to help. Our team of experts is committed to providing personalized and customized treatment plans according to your unique conditions. We also offer group therapy sessions for long-lasting recovery and stability.
Connect with our experts today for a brighter future!
Concluding thoughts
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health disorder that causes extreme shifts and goes beyond the emotional highs and lows. People struggling with this condition often feel alone because they cannot express their struggles, or people around them don’t understand their situation. However, living with bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, but group therapy helps normalize the experience by showing participants they are not alone. The most effective treatment for lasting wellness for bipolar disorder is group therapy. Group therapy reduces the isolation and enhances their communication skills, and provides opportunities to learn new coping skills and strategies. In a group setting, people share their mental health experiences with each other, which eventually motivates them to the treatment as well. It reduces feelings of shame or guilt and promotes accepting these emotions, and improves self-esteem.
