Every month, CREST.BD offers free webinars on a range of mental health topics. In July, Dr. Sagar Parikh in partnership with CREST.BD presented a great webinar entitled “Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder: What works, and when?” Dr. Parikh offered information about evidence based psychosocial interventions to help manage bipolar disorder. The slides of the presentation can be found here.
I was most interested in the practical self-help strategies and resources he suggested. All elements of our treatment are important, but especially helpful are tools we can access ourselves at anytime. When I was part of a 12 step group, I remember my sponsor reminding me having a toolbox of self-help strategies was important because people aren’t available and meetings aren’t accessible 24/7. But books, websites, meditation, walking (and whatever other means you avail yourself) can be accessed at any time without or without the presences of others.
The following are all interactive books and websites containing teaching modules and strategies to help you become more adept at managing your bipolar disorder. Take a gander. If you choose to try one out let me know what you think and how it goes.
Here are Dr. Parikh’s self-help resource suggestions:
BOOKS
Overcoming Bipolar Disorder (a workbook) by Bauer, Kilbourne, Greenwald, Ludman, McBride
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by Dr. David J. Miklowitz
Overcoming Mood Swings: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques By Jan Scott
WEBSITES
Getting help from others is important. Knowing we have the means to help ourselves is even more important.
