Here are some interesting facts from a 1993 survey of people with manic-depressive illness. On average, correct diagnosis of manic-depressive illness is made eight years after seeking treatment and 3.3 doctors later. Twenty-one percent have at one time discontinued use of medication due solely to financial constraints. The National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association survey of bipolar members. The Value of Support Groups Now . . .
Support groups provide a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding, and self discovery.
Your involvement with a group gives you something proactive to do while you may be waiting for a new medication to take effect or while you're ticking off the days until your next therapy session. Buoyed by the bond of depressive or manic-depressive illness, you may find yourself rediscovering strength and humor which you'd thought you'd lost. As with any chronic illness or serious injury, we can sometimes fall into the mistaken belief that we are inherently defective people. It is your personal choice whether or not to disclose your diagnosis with anyone other than your doctor or therapist. Discuss with him or her how and what to tell people.