title: Cyber-support: an analysis of online self-help forums (online self-help forums in bipolar disorder).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Internet is becoming increasingly important in psychiatry and psychotherapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate if and how online self-help forums are used by patients with bipolar disorders, their relatives and treating professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2400 postings in two online forums were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  "Disclosure", "friendship" and "online-group cohesion" were the main self-help mechanisms. The topics most discussed were "social network", "symptoms of the illness" and "medication". Factor analyses revealed three factors concerning self-help mechanisms: "group cohesion", "emotional support" and "exchange of information", as well as three factors concerning fields of interest: "illness-related aspects", "social aspects" and "financial and legal issues".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We infer that the main interest in participating in online forums for patients with bipolar disorders and their relatives is to share emotions and to discuss their daily struggles with the illness. Our study also reveals that social networking is very important for patients coping with bipolar disorders. Psycho-educative programmes should focus on those aspects.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Rita.Bauer@medbo.de
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Bauer
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bauer
authors: Hermann
authors: H
authors: Spiessl
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Kagerbauer
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D030881:Disclosure; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D060756:Social Networking