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Resources

Find out more about the condition. Connect with services to help you.

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Bipolar services & resources

Health, wellbeing & nutrition

Counselling & therapy

Caring for someone with bipolar

About bipolar

Information on what is bipolar, what to look for if you've not had a diagnosis and access to information on all medications in the UK that are prescribed for bipolar.

NHS inform | Bipolar disorder overview

NHS inform | Bipolar disorder overview

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. People with bipolar disorder have periods or episodes of: depression – feeling very low and lethargic; and mania – feeling very high and overactive (less severe mania is known as hypomania).

Mind | Types of bipolar

Mind | Types of bipolar

What types of bipolar disorder are there? Explains what bipolar disorder is, as well as different diagnoses and treatments. Offers information on how you can support someone with bipolar and tips for self-management.

Bipolar UK | Could it be bipolar?

Bipolar UK | Could it be bipolar?

There are many symptoms of bipolar that can often be overlooked for something else. This guide from Bipolar UK explains.

NHS inform | Choice & Medication

NHS inform | Choice & Medication

Comprehensive information on all psychiatric drugs prescribed in the U.K. including those prescribed for bipolar. Plus patient information leaflets that anyone can print out to give to people that need information, for example when someone is in hospital.

Bipolar services and resources

Where you can get help with managing your bipolar as well as other useful resources.

Bipolar Edinburgh | All-ages peer support group

Bipolar Edinburgh | All-ages peer support group

Our monthly meeting in Edinburgh. Everyone affected by bipolar is welcome including family, friends and carers.

Bipolar Edinburgh | cuppa & chat

Bipolar Edinburgh | cuppa & chat

We regularly meet in some of the best independently-run coffee shops around to enjoy each other's company. Your chance to hang out with your bipolar peers and make new connections within the bipolar community.

Bipolar Edinburgh | Penumbra

Bipolar Edinburgh | Penumbra

Our free peer support service is for people aged 18-65 living in Edinburgh with a bipolar diagnosis. A peer support practitioner working for Penumbra will meet with you weekly for 12 sessions on a one-to-one basis either in-person, or occasionally online or on the phone, helping you to build your knowledge, confidence and resilience for a better quality of life.

Bipolar Edinburgh | Carers support group

Bipolar Edinburgh | Carers support group

We are an on-line group which offers a safe and confidential space for any carer who may be experiencing challenges living with or caring for someone with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Scotland | Peers Together

Bipolar Scotland | Peers Together

Peers Together is one-to-one peer support for anyone who lives with bipolar and provides up to 12 meetings with a Peer Worker or Peer Volunteer. Meetings will take place over the telephone or by video, and we can work with anyone aged 16+ who lives in Scotland.

Bipolar Scotland | Beyond diagnosis

Bipolar Scotland | Beyond diagnosis

Beyond Diagnosis offers adults in Scotland that are newly diagnosed with bipolar the unique experience of engaging with Peer Workers and Peer Volunteers who can support you for up to six months.

Bipolar UK | eCommunity

Bipolar UK | eCommunity

Bipolar UK's ecommunity is a supportive online forum for everyone affected by bipolar

Bipolar Scotland | Self-Management Training

Bipolar Scotland | Self-Management Training

Bipolar Scotland offers a number of training courses aimed at helping people feel better able to self-manage the symptoms of living with bipolar. These courses are exclusively available to members of Bipolar Scotland, and free for members to attend.

Bipolar UK | Apps for managing mood.

Bipolar UK | Apps for managing mood.

Daily tracker apps can make it much easier to document your mood, bipolar symptoms and habits and to recognise trends, triggers and patterns.

We’ve picked apps that help you track, understand and manage your mood a bit better, which will help you to get on top of your self-management plan and live well.

Bipolar Edinburgh | An Information Guide

Bipolar Edinburgh | An Information Guide

This free guide aims to help anyone who has recently been diagnosed with bipolar and their carers. You can receive a free copy in the post.

Sleep

Sleeping well is one of the most important things in a life with bipolar. Check out these useful resources to learn how to do it well.

Sleepio | sleep treatment funded by NHS Scotland

Sleepio | sleep treatment funded by NHS Scotland

Fall asleep and stay asleep using clinically proven CBT in as little as 6 weeks. No Waiting List. No GP Referral Needed. Instant Access.

Headspace | Meditation & sleep made simple

Headspace | Meditation & sleep made simple

Look Forward to Waking Up Each Morning Refreshed. Start a Free Trial with Headspace Today! Reap the Positive Benefits of Guided Meditation. Let Headspace Show You How for Free Now. Track Your Progress. Suits Your Mood/Lifestyle. Dozens of Unique Themes.

sleepful.me | Free app for the effective treatment for Insomnia

sleepful.me | Free app for the effective treatment for Insomnia

Sleepful is free to download and use. Use the Sleepful app to manage your bedtimes and monitor your sleep.

Health, wellbeing & nutrition

Working towards physical and mental wellbeing is something we all can do today. Here are some pointers.

Wellbeing Lothian

Wellbeing Lothian

Find information and tools to help with your wellbeing and mental health.

Health All Round | Ecotherapy

Health All Round | Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy is essentially mindfulness in nature. Our small and friendly groups will help you take a break from your worries by tuning in to the natural world, improving relaxation and promoting mental well being.

Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteering has been proven to help your mood. Volunteer Edinburgh have been helping all sorts of people in Edinburgh find volunteering for over 45 years.

LGBT Health & Wellbeing

LGBT Health & Wellbeing

Scotland’s health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ adults. We welcome the entire diversity of our LGBT+ community including non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

Bipolar Edinburgh | Swim, gym and coffee.

Bipolar Edinburgh | Swim, gym and coffee.

Our Swim, Gym and Coffee sessions are for groups of up to 6 people who enjoy entry to an Edinburgh Leisure facility for only £1 and to have a coffee together after.

Edinburgh Leisure | Be Active

Edinburgh Leisure | Be Active

Being active doesn’t have to mean running a marathon – a few small changes can make a huge difference. The key to leading an active lifestyle is finding an activity you love and building it into your routine.

Midlothian Leisure | Get a leisure pass

Midlothian Leisure | Get a leisure pass

Access to Midlothian card offers lower rates for Council leisure centres, swimming pools etc. for qualifying residents.

East Lothian Council | Access to Leisure Scheme

East Lothian Council | Access to Leisure Scheme

The Access to Leisure Scheme provides discounted entry to sports centres & golf courses for qualifying residents.

West Lothian Access Xcite card

West Lothian Access Xcite card

Xcite, in partnership with West Lothian Council, offer Access Xcite for qualifying residents.

Mind | Food & mental health

Mind | Food & mental health

Some studies suggest that what we eat and drink can affect how we feel. But it can be difficult to know what to eat, especially when healthier foods can be more expensive. And it can be hard to think about our diet when we're struggling with our mental wellbeing.

Edinburgh Clinic of Nutrition

Edinburgh Clinic of Nutrition

As a nutritional therapist, I believe that eating should be pleasurable, and what we eat should provide us with the building blocks for good health.

Counselling, therapy & psychiatry

A range of services, both online and in-person.

iThrive | Free and low cost counselling in Edinburgh

iThrive | Free and low cost counselling in Edinburgh

Here you can find a wide range of free and low-cost counselling available in Edinburgh. We have listed services that are in-person, over the phone, and online via video calls and email.

NHS 24 | Living Life

NHS 24 | Living Life

The Living Life service offers support to people in Scotland through cognitive behavioural therapy.

Living Life to the Full | free online CBT courses covering low mood, stress and resilience.

Living Life to the Full | free online CBT courses covering low mood, stress and resilience.

Our self-help resources help people tackle depression, low mood and stress or anxiety at every stage in life.

Relationships Scotland | Counselling, mediation and family support

Relationships Scotland | Counselling, mediation and family support

We're Scotland's largest provider of relationship counselling, family mediation and child contact centre services.

COSCA | Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland.

COSCA | Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland.

Search the COSCA Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

BACP | British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

BACP | British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Find a registered therapist. See how therapy can help. Find out what happens in therapy. Read advice articles and client stories. Get confidential guidance.

Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry | private treatment for mood disorders.

Edinburgh Adult Psychiatry | private treatment for mood disorders.

Dr John Ferguson, MBChB BsCMed Sci (neuroscience) MRCPsych has consulted privately since 2009 and specialises in mood disorders.

Carers

Services and resources for those who care for people with bipolar.

NHS Lothian | Supporting Carers

NHS Lothian | Supporting Carers

NHS Lothian recognises the invaluable role that unpaid carers make to helping keep someone well or looking after them when they are unwell.

Care Info Scotland | Carer Centres directory

Care Info Scotland | Carer Centres directory

Carer centres offer practical support, advice and information for carers. You can access carer centres in your local area either by phone, drop-in or outreach surgeries.

Bipolar Edinburgh | Carers support group

Bipolar Edinburgh | Carers support group

We are an on-line group which offers a safe and confidential space for any carer who may be experiencing challenges living with or caring for someone with bipolar disorder.

Carers Trust Scotland | Supporting Carers.

Carers Trust Scotland | Supporting Carers.

Carers Trust in Scotland works to transform the lives of unpaid carers.

Edinburgh Carers Council

Edinburgh Carers Council

Edinburgh Carers Council is a local Edinburgh charity that provides free, confidential and independent advocacy for carers supporting someone with mental or physical health difficulties.

Empathy in Mind | Support for carers of people with mental health difficulties

Empathy in Mind | Support for carers of people with mental health difficulties

We are an Edinburgh carer-led Group which offers a safe and confidential space for any carer who may be experiencing the challenging and difficult behaviours associated with mental health problems.

Vocal | Voice Of Carers Across Lothian

Vocal | Voice Of Carers Across Lothian

VOCAL supports and empowers unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian through individual support, information, training and access to services.

mygov.scot | Becoming a named person for someone detained in hospital

mygov.scot | Becoming a named person for someone detained in hospital

If someone you care about becomes unwell they may need to be detained in hospital (also known as 'sectioned') under the Mental Health Act.

If this happens, they can choose to nominate a 'named person'. The named person can help them be involved in and understand decisions about their care and treatment.

more resources...

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