My first Bipolar Life support group was over 5 years ago.

My apprehensiveness nearly got the better of me, and I almost didn’t go that night.

I thought, these people won’t be like me, they don’t have the same sad stories and feelings of being lost, confused and just so tired of everything.

It almost felt like an invisible push in my back and then I was there.

You’d better put your confidence mask on, these people won’t know you aren’t coping with a new diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

But within a few minutes they did, and I broke down and shared my story of how my life was a mess. Failing relationships, friends who don’t know you anymore and careers and bank accounts in ruins.

That night, something happened, and the fog began to lift, and I felt a sense of relief over me.

I was very happy when I discovered there was another group coming up in the next week and so I went again.

The connections and understanding got better after each group and I really felt heard.

It started to become fun and not just good for me.

5 years later, I still go regularly and it’s part of keeping well.