“You treat men like disposable objects, like trash, you hurt them, men like me who want love and relationships with your destructive behaviours. You made up this stupid word ‘situationships’ to exempt you from being responsible for how your actions affect the other person. You hate men, you use them and abuse them and I’m sorry you were raped so much but maybe you should deal with your problems before you engage in another relationship, maybe you should try being a worthwhile person who deserves love…” 

Michael, which is not actually his name but for the sake of confidentiality it’s what I am going to call him, had so much more to say and he said it with a certain and violent anger as if he and I had been engaged in one of these situationships and he was the man I had hurt, used and abuse instead of meeting in January 2025 online for the first time  at least that's how it came across to me. I have been in a Cognitive Processing Therapy group for the last 10 weeks attempting to understand how my past trauma has affected my present life and interpersonal relationships. I was told in my intake last December 2024, that an unusual occurrence had happened in this intake where there were more men wanting to address their trauma than the organization had seen in many years. My psychotherapist realized because of the nature of my trauma, Gender-Based Violence, I may experience some discomfort with their presence. I was determined to join however not 100% comfortable with the idea but willing to explore it.

For the first 5 or 6 weeks I barely said anything, I just sat in my big red  chair, well mannered and well groomed, listening to the other group members share some of the most horrific traumas outside of my own that I had ever heard. I empathized with all of them but I kept quiet only speaking when asked to share my weekly emotions during check-in and my group take-away during check-out. I realized around session seven that I was not only afraid to share my trauma with the men in the group I was terrified of their judgement and rejection. 

Every week a member of the group would go over our homework worksheet where the three facilitators would help us understand our “Stuck Points” (the elements of the trauma that was keeping us in the trauma rather than moving forward and healing). Every week I would try to do some of the homework and I would fail, not because I didn’t find it relevant or useful but because I had avoided and covered up my pain and trauma so long it was like it was never even there like a picture you hang over a giant hole in your wall instead of fixing the wall, you know there is damage there but the pretty picture covers it so well you forget. I feel with my lack of engagement in the group perhaps Michael could only see the pretty picture I presented and not the giant empty and hollow hole of trauma that lived inside me. 

By week eight I made up my mind to share my homework and thus share my story with the group. I can remember the day of group, March 17, 2025 and what my stuck point was: “When there are too many men in a room with me, especially if they are intoxicated, I can’t control the situation and I will be attacked and raped because all men are dangerous and capable of rape.” When my group facilitator asked me why I felt this way, a watershed of emotional blockage came unstuck and I told the group everything. I was molested as a child, I was gang-raped at 14-years old by five boys in highschool, I was raped at 18-years old by my boyfiend and I was drugged and raped at 27-years old by a stranger I met at a club. This is the trauma I carry inside of me and the narrative that goes with it is: 

“All men are dangerous and even if you are attracted to them, the minute you lose control of the situation aka situationship run far, run fast, do something destructive to push them away because they will destroy you anyway so don’t give them your power ever again.”  

I didn’t realize I felt this way until week eight when I shared my trauma with the group. I believed these feelings were in the past and I could explain all my self-destructive behaviours related to men by placing the label of Mania or Psychosis in Bipolar disorder on it. The truth is however, as angry, hurt and embarrassed as I was over what Michael screamed in my face during group last week there is also a sense of release and self-discovery because for the first time since therapy started I had a breakthrough. I don’t agree with most of what he said or how he said it but I must honour the mirror he put up to my face. 

When I look at myself in that mirror I see a woman with decades of unaddressed trauma who avoids relationships because she is afraid and does not feel worthy of love because she is damaged. I see a woman who doesn’t feel safe anywhere, not even in her own home; I see a woman that sexualizes herself so men will find her worthwhile; lastly I see a little girl who got dealt a bad hand but has grown into a strong person who is trying to release the lifetime of pain she's been carrying in her mind, body and spirit. I don’t know where my trauma healing journey will lead me and I don’t know if my fellow group member is correct in saying stay away from men until you heal (kinder way of rephrasing). I do know everyday I fall a little more in-love with myself, everyday I feel a little stronger, everyday I feel a little more worthy and at peace with myself and everyday I feel closer to the ultimate goal of self-love and forgiveness. I may never heal to the point of being in a loving partnership, it may be me and all my journals for the rest of my life (I have no animals yet) either way I’m excited to find out.

If this self-reflection was as hard for you to read as it was for me to write, reach out, leave kind comments as its been a hell of a week, let’s connect, let’s have a conversation that takes us beyond the stigma of trauma to a place of healing, forgiveness and self-love.  

Did you know women are more likely than men to experience rapid cycling in Bipolar disorder? This makes finding support even more important. Together, women build strong networks that can transform their mental health and well-being.

Understanding Peer Support for Women with Bipolar Disorder

Peer support is when people with similar mental health challenges come together to share their experiences and support each other. It's not like seeing a therapist. Peer support is about empathy, shared understanding, and hope.

For women with Bipolar disorder, this type of support can feel like a lifeline. The challenges we face—like mood swings, Mania, and Depression—are tough. But when you connect with someone who’s been there, it makes you feel less alone. Gender-specific peer support can also give us a sense of belonging, which is something therapy alone might not offer.

Benefits of Peer Support for Women Living with Bipolar Disorder

There’s something powerful about hearing, “I’ve been through that too.” It’s validating. Peer support gives women emotional validation through shared stories. When you know someone else has walked a similar path, it reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles.

It’s more than just feeling understood, though. Through peer support, we gain practical advice. We learn better ways to manage mood swings and episodes. And the best part? We feel a sense of hope. Hope that we can have stability and a better future, even with Bipolar disorder.

Types of Peer Support for Women with Bipolar Disorder

There are many ways women can connect with peer supporters. Some prefer in-person peer support groups. These groups are led by people with lived experiences who can offer insights that only come from truly understanding what it's like to live with Bipolar disorder.

Online communities can also be helpful, though they come with their own challenges. I’ve personally found online spaces overwhelming because not everyone in them has enough stability to support others. My favourite form of support has been one-on-one peer mentoring. Having that personal connection helped me feel seen and supported in ways group settings didn’t.

Peer-led group therapy programs, like those in recovery colleges, can also be life-changing. These focus on psychoeducation, helping women learn and grow while getting the support they need.

Success Stories: Women Helping Women with Bipolar Disorder

I’ll never forget my first peer supporter—a 60-year-old woman with Major Depressive disorder. On the surface, we seemed so different, but our struggles intersected in many ways. She had been through long-term hospitalization, medication that didn’t work, and substance use disorder. Yet, she found stability, and that gave me hope.

She taught me that I am not my illness. Yes, I have Bipolar disorder, but that doesn’t define me. She reminded me that recovery is possible, and that I could use my lived experience to help others one day. Through peer support, I gained tools for mood management, self-care, and self-advocacy. I’m not just surviving; I’m thriving.

How to Get Involved in Bipolar Peer Support Groups for Women

If you’re ready to find your own peer support, there are many resources out there. Local support groups or online platforms like Facebook can connect you with women going through similar experiences. You don’t have to do this alone. Talk to your mental health team regarding referrals to recovery colleges in your community. You can also find peer supporters through your outpatient services team, counselours and social workers. 

When joining a peer support network, remember to choose a space that feels safe. Make sure the group values privacy and respect. Whether in-person or online, find a community that allows you to be yourself and share your story in a way that feels right to you. Your peer supporter may have different experiences than you in regards to their mental health journey but like myself you may find common ground that can support you in your journey to wellness so always keep an open mind.

Final Thoughts

Peer support isn’t just an extra part of mental health care—it’s a lifeline for women living with Bipolar disorder. At its core, peer support values hope, recovery, self-determination, trust, respect, lifelong learning and personal growth. I have found that all these elements have been essential in my recovery journey. Peer support also brings empathy, and shared experiences that make the journey feel less lonely. If you or someone you know is living with Bipolar disorder, peer support could be the next step toward healing. You don’t have to walk this path alone. Reach out and take that first step today—you’ll be glad you did.