Self-Education/Management is central to empowerment and recovery. This means that you begin to take personal responsibility for learning all you can about your illness and actively search out and try coping mechanisms that improve your self-management skills.

&amp;#x200B;

* Learn about Bipolar Disorder. Read blogs, websites, and books; listen to podcasts.
* Be involved with your treatment.
   * Be honest with your care team.
   * Collaborate with your doctors and therapists.
   * Don't be afraid to bring things up to your care team, and advocate for yourself.
* Have an emergency action plan (WRAP).

## Quotes from the Community

&gt;"Just like with any other job, each psychiatrist has a different level of knowledge, skills, and experience. It's a delicate balance between trusting them and making decisions for yourself. Ultimately, you and your psychiatrist should be working together to make decisions, and if you don't feel that's the case, then it's all right to switch psychiatrists." - Hola\_Gatito

## Sites/Blogs

* [BP Hope](https://www.bphope.com/blog/)
* [International Bipolar Foundation](https://ibpf.org/learn/resources/blog/)
* [National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)](https://nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education)
* [Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DSA)](https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/)

## YouTube

* [International Bipolar Foundation](https://www.youtube.com/c/InternationalBipolarFoundation)

"Founded in 2007 by four parents with children affected with bipolar disorder, International Bipolar Foundation empowers individuals living with bipolar disorder and their caregivers by providing advocacy, education, support, and awareness - fostering a caring community and stigma-free world where mental health is equitably acknowledged and treated."

* [Dr. Tracy Marks - All Things Bipolar Disorder](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLazcP3-djRZ0IoYFWgkl0_tFtBVqA3bu-)

"Bipolar Disorder is often misunderstood because it is a complex illness. The good news is there are treatments that work, though it may take some trial and error. This bipolar disorder playlist will have videos that discuss all things bipolar. Some of these topics include: what is the difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2, signs of bipolar disorder, what is bipolar depression? And more..."

* [Living Well with Schizophrenia](https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingWellwithSchizophrenia/playlists)

"My name is Lauren and I started Living Well With Schizophrenia because I myself live with the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. I am a social worker, and have just recently returned to school to work toward my Masters in Health Policy Research.

I have been a mental health advocate since a young age, and offer the unique perspective of having experience as a mental health professional and mental health researcher, combined with my own lived experience of mental illness. I have delivered talks with the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

I started the YouTube channel, 'Living Well with Schizophrenia', as a means to increase knowledge and compassion around schizophrenia and mental illness. "

* [National Alliance on Mental Illness - Bipolar Disorder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX2RB_LmLUE&amp;list=PLlZf3Rbl5IerOVrkpqJJBiBdlyNqvPrGN)

"NAMI started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 and has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local Affiliates and 48 State Organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need."

## Podcasts

* [Therapy For Black Girls Podcast](https://therapyforblackgirls.com/podcast/)

"The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves."

* [This is bipolar](https://www.juliekraft.com/this-is-bipolar)

"Unfiltered &amp; authentic - a real-life glimpse of bipolar disorder. Join mental health advocates, Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft, as they passionately share their bipolar journeys. It is their greatest hope that their honesty will give insight, shatter stigma, and offer hope. This is bipolar..."

* [Inside bipolar](https://psychcentral.com/blog/ibp)

"Join Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness. They tackle bipolar using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued."

* [Inside schizophrenia](https://psychcentral.com/blog/is)

"Inside Schizophrenia is a long-form monthly podcast providing a unique perspective on life through the lens of people living with schizophrenia and psychosis.

Each episode includes a conversation between cohosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard and an interview featuring someone with lived experience, a family member or caregiver, a first responder, or an expert to help us understand schizophrenia in a more meaningful way.

New episodes are published the third Wednesday of every month right here or on your favorite podcast player."