| A bipolar chat room is primarily created as an | | | | friends that have a better understanding of your |
| extended support group for people suffering from | | | | situation. Since you all speak in bipolar lingo, it |
| or diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Moderators in | | | | follows that discussions are aligned in that |
| this group are usually volunteers. Majority of them | | | | direction. This exchange of thoughts and emotions |
| are either former bipolar patients or individuals | | | | become a new outlet of hope among bipolar |
| that are undergoing bipolar treatments and | | | | disorder people. |
| medications. | | | | * The bipolar chat room supports this community |
| Other things you can expect to find in a bipolar | | | | 24 hours a day. Again this is a given since |
| chat room are schedules of moderated chats and | | | | discussions are conducted through the internet. |
| topics related to manic depression issues. | | | | Some chat rooms even have moderators |
| However, some chat rooms go beyond online | | | | scheduled at certain times of the day or week. |
| meet ups and set physical meet ups in coffee | | | | This is to help facilitate certain topics that may |
| shops in their respective areas. | | | | have sensitive bipolar issues. |
| | | | |
| Potential Benefits | | | | Possible Disadvantages |
| The intention of a bipolar chat room is always to | | | | The problem comes when users abuse the bipolar |
| accommodate those bipolar people who are in | | | | chat room, using it as an alternative avenue for |
| need of additional help, with the hope the process | | | | mischief and pranks. This can be expected |
| will eventually lead to effective treatment. The | | | | considering that the majority of the chatters are |
| benefits that you can get from the chat room | | | | bipolar patients themselves. Mood swings can |
| are as follows: | | | | apparently be felt in this virtual room. Here are |
| * You have the opportunity to meet other people | | | | the disadvantages: |
| who are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At | | | | * Most of these chat rooms are supported by |
| this point, you will have a chance to share your | | | | volunteers only. Since there may be no medical |
| experiences with them as they are expected to | | | | professionals, nobody can lead the discussions. |
| do the same. The sharing should help a bipolar | | | | * There is great difficulty in staying on the topic. |
| patient cope with the problem because you are | | | | Serious and sensitive issues are expected. Topics |
| expected to understand the symptoms better | | | | like suicide and other deep depressive subjects |
| from another bipolar patient's perspective. | | | | make it difficult to keep a safe online atmosphere. |
| * People will have the chance to ask questions | | | | Remember that mood swings are strong in this |
| and answer some as well. This is a given since a | | | | group. If managing one bipolar patient is difficult, |
| bipolar chat room is designed for the purpose of | | | | just imagine how that challenge is multiplied in a |
| open discussions. However, not all questions are | | | | bipolar chat room, where the majority of |
| answered and not all discussions are being | | | | participants are bipolar-diagnosed. Some chat |
| moderated. | | | | rooms have closed due to this type of problem. |
| * There is the assumption that you can make | | | | |