# www.bipolarlife.org.au Bipolar Life organises and runs support groups across Victoria for people with bipolar disorder. ## Pages - [Bendigo](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bendigo): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [What Illnesses often co-exist with Bipolar Disorder?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/what-illnesses-often-co-exist-with-bipolar-disorder) - [John’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Johns-story) - [PAUL ROBERTSON’S STORY OF MANIA](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage205caee1) - [CAUSES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/causes-of-bipolar-disorder) - [JOURNEY IN THE HIGHLANDS – BY JOHN](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagebe3fa088) - [A HISTORY OF BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/a-history-of-bipolar-disorder) - [Blueskylady’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Blueskyladys-Story) - [THE BIPOLAR TOOLBOX – BY ANNA](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage2d50d364) - [MOOD CHARTS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/mood-charts) - [PSYCHOTHERAPY AND OTHER TREATMENTS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/psychotherapy-and-other-treatments) - [Chris’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Chris-Story) - [Beth’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Beths-Story) - [ANNA’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage3febeb15) - [PAGE 6/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/page-4/copy-of-page-6/8) - [Samantha J’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/samantha-js-story) - [CAN’T SLEEP?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage55624cb3) - [LITHIUM TREATMENT FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER LINKED TO LOWEST RISK OF REHOSPITALISATION](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/lithium-treatment-for-bipolar-disorder-linked-to-lowest-risk-of-rehospitalisation) - [SLEEP AND SLEEP CYCLES](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/sleep-and-sleep-cycles) - [PAGE 3/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/8) - [HOW TO STAY SANE DURING LOCKDOWN](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/how-to-stay-sane-during-lockdown) - [The Bipolar Toolbox – By Anna](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/the-bipolar-toolbox-by-anna) - [GOLDBERG DEPRESSION SCALE](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/goldberg-depression-scale) - [HISTORY OF BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/history-of-bipolar-disorder) - [JUST DIAGNOSED?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/just-diagnosed) - [UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRIGGERS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/understanding-your-triggers) - [9 MYTHS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER.](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/9-myths-of-bipolar-disorder) - [Anna's-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/anna-story) - [BIPOLAR DISORDER: WHY HOLIDAYS CAN BE HARD](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-disorder-why-holidays-can-be-hard) - [PLANNING AHEAD FOR YOUR NEXT EPISODE](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/planning-ahead-for-your-next-episode) - [PAUL’S ECT DIARY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagebe24936a) - [Andrew's-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/andrews-story) - [Combating Bipolar Mood Swings](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/combating-bipolar-mood-swings) - [HOW A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS CAN BE EMPOWERING](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/how-a-mental-health-diagnosis-can-be-empowering) - [TACKLING BIPOLAR DISORDER WITH YOGA TECHNIQUES.](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/tackling-bipolar-disorder-with-yoga-techniques) - [Brain Structure and Functioning.](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/brain-structure-and-functioning) - [PAGE 7/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/page-4/copy-of-page-6/page-7/8) - [SAMANTHA J’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagebdf8a320) - [Paul’s ECT Diary](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/pauls-ect-diary) - [Books](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/books) - [JERRY’S STORY (INTERVIEW)](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage1e5738d7) - [Caitlin’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Caitlins-Story) - [Jesus Christ Super Star](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Jesus-Christ-Super-Star) - [BLUESKYLADY’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage603a00f1) - [PHASES OF PSYCHOSIS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/phases-of-psychosis) - [SUE’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagee2b711b8) - [Nat’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/nats-story) - [Bipolar Disorder and Women – Dr Alice Lam](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage379bc1cd) - [JOHN’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage2488781e) - [MICHAEL’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagea6841fc7) - [Jason’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Jasons-Story) - [Bipolar in men and women – the differences](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagee72c138c) - [Journey In The Highlands – By John](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/journey-in-the-highlands-by-john) - [Bipolar Patients “Could be on the Wrong Drugs”](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpageae3fdcc8) - [Andrew’s story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage19efa0a7) - [BODY RHYTHMS AND BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/body-rhythms-and-bipolar-disorder) - [CHRIS’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagead2ad75f) - [Anne’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Annes-Story) - [Why People with Bipolar Disorder are Bigger Risk Takers](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/why-people-with-bipolar-disorder-are-bigger-risk-takers) - [WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/what-are-the-types-of-bipolar-disorder280d301e) - [ANNE’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage54829ca9) - [Thirty Seven Years](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/thirty-seven-years) - [Michael’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/michaels-story) - [PAGE 4/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/page-4/8) - [What are the risk factors for bipolar disorder?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/what-are-the-risk-factors-for-bipolar-disorder) - [Joy’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/joys-story) - [BIPOLAR DISORDER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-disorder-what-you-need-to-know) - [Paul Robertson’s Story Of Mania](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/paul-robertsons-story-of-mania) - [PAGE 5/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/page-4/8b570bd25) - [JOY’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagece290b26) - [MENTAL HEALTH & STIGMA](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagee8d084b4) - [JASON’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage27106afc) - [BIPOLAR MEDICATION GUIDE](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-medication-guide) - [PAGE 8/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/copy-of-page-3/page-4/copy-of-page-6/page-8/8) - [WHAT IS CYCLOTHYMIA?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/what-is-cyclothymia) - [INGRID’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagef38b6449) - [STAYING MOTIVATED](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/staying-motivated) - [ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/adverse-drug-reactions) - [TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION (TMS)](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage1b02774c) - [BETH’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage570c4e04) - [Ingrid’s-Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/Ingrids-Story) - [SLEEP DEPRIVATION TRIPLES RISK OF MENTAL ILLNESS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/sleep-deprivation-triples-risk-of-mental-illness) - [CAITLIN’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage36ac6ccb) - [Blog](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/blog) - [JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/jesus-christ-super-star38897d4d) - [HOW CAN BIPOLAR DISORDER AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/how-can-bipolar-disorder-affect-relationships) - [THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS WITH BIPOLAR](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/the-essential-guide-to-maintaining-friendships-with-bipolar) - [RACING THOUGHTS AND BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/racing-thoughts-and-bipolar-disorder) - [Sue’s Story](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/sues-story) - [BIPOLAR DISORDER AND STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-disorder-and-strained-relationships) - [Jerry’s Story (INTERVIEW)](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/jerrys-story-interview) - [HAPPINESS AND BIPOLAR](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/happiness-and-bipolar) - [PAGE 2/8](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/page-2/8) - [MEDICATIONS AND WEIGHT GAIN](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/medications-and-weight-gain) - [THIRTY SEVEN YEARS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/thirty-seven-yearsb68bcfb0) - [NAT’S STORY](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpageadbaa87b) - [Zoom Help](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/zoom-help) - [Geelong](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/geelong): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Video library](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/video-library) - [What is Bipolar Disorder](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/what-is-bipolar-disorder) - [Register](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/register-for-meetings): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Frankston](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/frankston): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Berwick](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/berwick): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Bipolar information](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/parents) - [Knox](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/knox): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [MHFA Bipolar](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/mhfa-bipolar): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Code of Conduct](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/code-of-conduct) - [Newport](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newport): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Contact Us](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/contact) - [Bentleigh](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bentleigh): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Finding Hope](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/finding-hope): 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. - [Our stories](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/our-stories) - [The Bipolar Mask](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/the-bipolar-mask): You see a vibrant, fun and clever woman with style in front of you. She must be a CEO or an executive. She has an amazing life, family and yearly holidays. I have none of this. When I am low, people still expect me to move mountains. “You can’t be that depressed, you seem fine!” So, my outside doesn’t match my inside and that’s how I survive. I’ve learned to do these years before I got diagnosed, I knew I was very different, and I adapted to try and fit in. - [Melbourne](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/melbourne): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [IN PRAISE OF SUPPORT GROUPS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/in-praise-of-support-groups13962954) - [STIGMA AND BIPOLAR DISORDER – DR ALICE LAM](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagecb9561d7) - [Calendar](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/calendar): Join our free peer support groups for bipolar disorder. Check our calendar for online & in-person meetings! - [POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TURNING MENTAL ILLNESS ON ITS HEAD](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/positive-psychology-turning-mental-illness-on-its-head) - [THE HOLES IN MY POCKETS](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/the-holes-in-my-pockets4183fe6b) - [Bipolar articles](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-articles) - [Psychiatric Hospital Admission and Discharge](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/psychiatric-hospital-admission-and-discharge) - [TOOLS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/tools-to-help-people-with-bipolar-disorder) - [By Yourself? – 10 Ideas to Help With Loneliness](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpagec294d55d) - [In Praise Of Support Groups](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/in-praise-of-support-groups) - [Get some help](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/gallery) - [Bipolar Carers](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/bipolar-carers): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [VALUES, GOALS AND ROUTINE – DR ALICE LAM](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage3a44ec78) - [HOW TO PREDICT YOUR NEXT BIPOLAR EPISODE](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/how-to-predict-your-next-bipolar-episode) - [DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER – DR ALICE LAM](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpaged15d83a6) - [Home](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/): Join free peer support groups for bipolar disorder. Share experiences & find community. Register for updates on meetings. - [Meetings](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/meetings): Join our free peer support groups for bipolar disorder. Share experiences & connect in a safe space led by those with lived experience. - [HOW TO HANDLE SEASONAL BIPOLAR DISORDER](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/how-to-handle-seasonal-bipolar-disorder) - [The Holes In My Pockets](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/the-holes-in-my-pockets) - [BIPOLAR DISORDER IN MEN AND WOMEN: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newpage) - [Online Men's](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/online-mens): The purpose of our men's support group is to provide an opportunity for men living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed men with similar experiences. Group members gain strength, support, resilience and coping strategies through a shared understanding. The outcomes from the group are knowledge, information and ideas that take place in a safe, non-judgemental environment. - [Women's Online 1](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/womens-online-1): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Women's Online 2](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/womens-online-2): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Online #1 / Mood Disorders](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/online-1-and-mood): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Northcote](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/northcote): The purpose of our support group is to provide an opportunity for people living with bipolar disorder to connect with other diagnosed people with similar experiences. Group members gain strength and support from each other, and learn new ways of coping through sharing feelings, knowledge, information and ideas. - [Newsletter](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/newsletter) ## Blog Posts - [Make the most of the season by following these simple guidelines](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/make-the-most-of-the-season-by-following-these-simple-guidelines) - [Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/keep-in-touch-with-site-visitors-and-boost-loyalty) - [Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic](https://www.bipolarlife.org.au/tips-for-writing-great-posts-that-increase-your-site-traffic)