Black Dog Institute

[Elektra_Demons]

I have just completed an 8 week survey conducted by  the Black Dog Institute. It entailed being sent a weekly module with information, answering a questionnaire and working on a stay well plan such as recognising early warning signs and taking action. It helped me a lot. I was heading down the depression road but took evasive action as per my plan and it worked! Here is the website link to the Online Survey
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/bipolardisorder/bipolardisorderexplained/index.cfm
If anyone wants the Modules that just give you the info I am happy to send them to you.
There was a great emphasis on the fact that this is a physical illness that manifests itself in your moods. I found that very helpful to think of it in that way. Makes me feel less like a leper. Anyway I found the whole thing very empowering. The Black Dog Institute is part of the University of New South Wales Psychiatry Unit. They have a lot of qdos in Australia. Also some very good books written by them on the market.
Hope this helps someone as much as it helped me.

[BipolarBear75]

Thanks guys, I went and printed them off....I will look at them now.

[bernie40]

I shall take a look and print them off.  Thanks guys. :-)

[Elektra_Demons]

It must be but I can't access it because I'm part of the study group. So I can't check definitively if this is the same info.

[monkeyc]

I think these are the modules ?

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/onlinelearning/bipolareducationprogram.cfm

Elektra can you check and confirm as these are downloadable freely.  I am looking now at the UNI of NSW study but they appear to want Bipolars diagnosed in the last 12 months and im beyond that, its a good study mind and very useful for people to do as they need the data for research - for those who don't know the Australian Government recently donated $2 million AU (about $50 US at current exchange rates
:P) to bipolar research and there are a number of research projects being funded out of that, not sure if this is one but there is a focus on this research now in AU thanks to the diagnosis of a high profile footballer as BP and in Australia if it affects a sportsperson its MUST be vital...  

Sarcasm fully intended BTW as Breast Cancer research in this country is flooded for money right now due to some high profile sportspeople losing lives or spouses while prostate and colon cancers struggle for funding for diagnostic and treatment beds.  A friend of mine who works in medical research told me they are all hoping a footballer or cricketer gets colon cancer soon and I think she was only half joking.

[Elektra_Demons]

I meant that I could email them.

[bernie40]

Thanks so much for that information!  Can you only get the modules via post or can they be downloaded?  I'd certainly be interested -

[monkeyc]

Ive reccomended Black Dog to a number of people, theyre an excellent orgnisation.  Beyond Blue also do a lot of work in this area.

Those modules are great, I can vouch for that as I have read them myself and you can get them for free via the Bipolar Education link from memory.

Good to hear these work for someone else !