Research around technology use amongst individuals suffering from bipolar disorder (BPD) is still an emerging area of study. I recently came across a study that looked at how individuals with BPD use technology and how they perceive its impacts on their mental health.
Some interesting points around both the positive and negative effects of technology use in this population were brought up. For example the authors found that technology use worsened or even “triggered” symptoms of mania or depression in some participants, while also acting as a supportive tool for others. For example, a participant in the study cited that one of their triggers for depressive episodes was seeing their friends on social media and noticing how accomplished they were. On the other hand, another participant reported that social media helped them connect with other people with similar lived experiences with BPD. The participant also noted that this online community helped to create a supportive environment.
The authors suggest that technology use for the participants in the study was a double-edged sword; supportive for some and harmful for others.
I was wondering what your experiences have been working with individuals with BPD/ other severe mental illness and technology use?