Friends of Hope is a DBSA (Depression/Bipolar Support Alliance) chapter (support group) located in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The purpose of this support group is to help people who are suffering from bipolar disorder, depression, or other types of mental illness. If you need help or you're a friend of someone in need, you're welcome to attend our weekly support group meetings. Support group meetings generally last about an hour to an hour and a half. The chief purpose of our support group meetings is to share our experiences and practical knowledge with one another. Sharing, if you don't know already, is very therapeutic — it's a great complement to counseling and seeking professional psychiatric advice. Remember Friends of Hope support group is here to help!
Friends of Hope support group is one of the many bipolar support groups out there. While our support group concerns itself with all mental illnesses, it's focus is mainly on those afflicted with mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression. Friends of Hope support group is one out of several DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) chapters (support groups) located in the United States. DBSA chapters (support groups) can be found in each of the fifty states. Most major cities have a chapter (support group) also. Go to the main DBSA website to find a chapter (support group) near you. Another important mental health support organization you should investigate is NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). As with the DBSA support groups, NAMI has chapters (support groups) located in all fifty states and in most major cities. Please visit the NAMI Oklahoma website to get information on the Ardmore, OK NAMI chapter (support group).
Be sure to visit the Friends of Hope blog at http://blog.friendsofhope.us/ to join in on various discussions. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Friends of Hope - Contact information
Contact
1: Amy Hancock
Email:
aehancock3@yahoo.com
Phone:
(580) 340-1231
Contact
2: Scott Kennedy
Email:
turtle73446@yahoo.com
Phone:
(580) 371-0502
Meetings
start at 6:30 PM at the Ardmore Public Library every Thursday.
Ardmore
Public Library
320 E Street NW
Ardmore, OK 73401
(580)
223-8290
Mental illness related links
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (Oklahoma)
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (national)
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Oklahoma
AddictionSearch.com - the latest addiction information on the Internet
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Bipolar Disorder is also known as manic-depression. It is characterized by extreme highs and lows, and severe mood swings, and often prevents normal function at work and at home. This is not your typical case of "the blues." It isn’t the normal cycle of up and down days we all have from stress, too little sleep, losing the lottery drawing, or breaking up with a boyfriend.
Bipolar Disorder is a serious disorder that can result in strained or broken relationships, poor job performance, and poor performance in school or group settings. Symptoms do not go away in a week or two. If left untreated, the disorder can even result in suicide. There have been significant advances in the treatment of this disorder. If you are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and you seek and follow an appropriate treatment plan, you can expect to be productive, and to lead a normal life.
There are two types of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by severe, debilitating symptoms, with extreme episodes that can include some or all of the following:
Agitation, nervousness, irritability, feeling edgy, short-tempered, or restlessness
Increased sex drive or desire, loss of inhibition
Inability to focus
Euphoria, or feeling ‘high’
Boundless energy, sleeplessness, insomnia
Racing or disassociated thoughts, extreme talkativeness or rapid speech
Feeling you can ‘do no wrong’, inflated sense of self, grandiose feelings, inappropriate or poor judgment
Dressing or speaking in an extreme, or unusual manner
Delusions, hallucinations
Heavy use of drugs or alcohol
Rage, aggression or combative behavior
Reckless spending, driving at high speed, engaging in high risk activities, making decisions without considering consequences
Abnormally low, listless mood and energy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and unworthiness
Excessive drug or alcohol use
Extreme increase or decrease in appetite or weight
Withdrawal from family, friends, co-workers
Self abuse or injury, thoughts, talk, plans or attempts of suicide
Constant fatigue, increase or decrease in sleep like insomnia or excessive sleep
Inability to concentrate or focus, or to make everyday decisions
Absence of self-esteem or confidence
Sadness, hopelessness, an attitude of ‘what’s the use?’
Loss of interest in daily activities, even those that would usually be exciting or interesting
Bipolar II is also called Hypomania. Bipolar II episodes and symptoms are significantly less extreme than Bipolar I behaviors.
Bipolar Disorder is usually diagnosed by a psychiatrist, a specialist, equipped to recognize the symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is very important, because treatment will usually include medications. If the wrong medications are prescribed, symptoms may worsen, or side effects may occur. It is wise to have a medical evaluation to be sure the symptoms do not come from another source, like poor thyroid or kidney function, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, lupus, even sodium imbalance. Bipolar Disorder can also be misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders like borderline personality, eating disorders, or schizophrenia.
If Bipolar Disorder is confirmed, a combination of therapies is often used with good results. These can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. Treatment(s) can include:
Medications like lithium, anticonvulsants (which are used with good results), medication to treat extreme manic episodes, medication to treat insomnia
Education and therapy for the patient and family
Psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) New methods have created a resurgence in the use of ECT. It can be used in severe cases of BP that do not respond to other treatments
Assessment of patterns of Bipolar episodes in the life and schedule of the diagnosed individual
Cognitive behavioral therapy