Bipolar disorder involves shifts between depressive and manic (or hypomanic) moods.
These mood cycles can affect energy, concentration, and relationships — but creativity and empathy often shine through.
Sometimes you’re “on,” sometimes you’re out.
When vibrant, you can drive the story; when low, you fade into supportive roles, all within the safety of a group.
There’s always a way to belong.
Narrative tabletop games provide grounding through routine and social engagement.
Games like D&D or Fate Accelerated encourage emotional expression within structure — players can explore hope, ambition, and resilience through characters and stories.
Bipolar Disorder changes how people connect and participate.
Online formats help players maintain social contact even during recovery phases.
Flexible scheduling and supportive communities create safe, low-pressure spaces to connect.
Online formats also mean people can join from anywhere, no travel required—essential for those days when it’s hard to leave bed.
Virtual sessions are flexible and forgiving.
With recreation therapy, I help shape positive routines, encourage self-expression, and foster stability.
I usually prescribe two 1:1 sessions a week for BPD, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
One when you naturally feel out of it, and the other when you feel more with it.
Through narrative, players practice navigating change, building insight and resilience.
Ask us about how we can build a social circle in a lifelong hobby for you or the person in your care regardless of age or ability. If we can’t personally deliver a program for you, we will refer you to someone who can regardless of location in Australia
Email us: gametherapynetwork@gmail.com
Further Reading: This paper reviews how serious games are used in mental health treatment and includes one study focused on bipolar disorder. In that study, a game-based intervention was added to standard psychoeducation and led to short-term improvements in medication adherence and attitudes toward treatment. However, these benefits were not maintained after four months. Overall, the review suggests that while serious games may offer engaging and motivating ways to support treatment in bipolar disorder, the current evidence is limited and further well-designed research is needed to confirm their long-term effectiveness and practical use in clinical settings.
Therapeutic use of serious games in mental health: scoping review | BJPsych Open | Cambridge Core
You can share your anecdotal evidence in the comments below.