title: [Self-help from the cyberspace?--An analysis of self-help forums for patients with bipolar affective disorders].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to evaluate if and how online self-help forums are used by patients with bipolar affective disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within a six-months period 1200 postings of 135 users in two German language forums were analysed with respect to fields of interest and self-help mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The topics most discussed were social network of the patients, symptoms of the illness, and medication. Disclosure, online-group cohesion as well as empathy and support were the main self-help mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study reveals that the social network is very important for patients coping with bipolar affective disorders. We infer that the main interest in participating in online forums for bipolar affective disorders is to share emotions. Attention to those aspects should be given also in psychoeducative programs.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie der Universität am Bezirksklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg. tanja.schielein@medbo.de
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schielein
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobmeier
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spiessl
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data