Bipolars Only Online Support Group

What has worked best for you?

Has everyone here been to therapy for BP or other health issues?

I'm on meds.. I currently take Topamax... not real sure if it's everything I need. Been on it for about 6 months.

Therapy... I think I'm ready, get psyched up for it, all set and ready to go, and that fizzles out quicker then the feeling comes that I'm ready to go. I did go one day about a month ago, again thinking I was truly ready to face this and continue it to the end. Then I chose to do my own therapudic ways... they seem to help me more, or as much and are cheaper. But the family Dr wants me to see someone else for my meds. I'm stuck at knowing what to do. What if I'm never ready for therapy. What if I just want to deal w/things in my own way??

Because you keep saying that you want to do things your own way, the first thing that came to mind is "well, is your current method working?". If it isn't then a new approach needs to happen, right? The big thing is that you will heal when your spirit is ready to heal. This isn't something that can be pushed.

I take Effexor XR and Lamictal (both are 300mg each) and well, it doesn't work completely for me. I don't go to therapy because I can't afford it and it isn't part of my treatment program. County pays for it, that's why. What I am doing isn't working for me really either. Although much better than without them, the meds are just not enough.

I am really curious though as to how you cope. Especially if they are alternatives to taking more pills.

I've gone to therapy for about 8 years and the only time it really helped a bit was when I was in outpatient programs learning DBT therapy. I need coping skills and the discipline to use them! My current tdoc on the outside is nice enough but has served more as a person to see (not to be lonely) than a help in coping. I basically told him that a month and a half ago and so this Thursday he promised to focus on coping skills and check that I use them in subsequent sessions.

I don't know alternatives to not taking meds which is sort of what I was questioning and also... If a person needed therapy and how others are doing with therapy and if it helps or makes things worse or if the combination is needed for a person.

Right now I take my meds... I don't feel like they are working as good as some of my others have or like I'm at my best... But I'm at a standing point since my family Dr is wanting me to see a psychologist (or whatever they are called that talks to you AND evaluates you to dose your meds)... I thought I was ready for therapy but mentally and financially right now, well I'm not.

Other things I do for myself...

I have a positive journal/scrapbook that I work on everyday.

I search for inspirational quotes and self help articles. I have several inspirational emails that come to me daily that I start my day off with.

And last but not least I have found this site which has helped me out a great deal and enlightened me quite a bit on things.

I appreciate all feedback... All suggestions...

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to give me your insight.

I don't really know of other alternatives to not taking meds. I have found that most need to take some type of med to help with the bipolar symptoms. I have seen a posting quite a while back where they were using a herbal form of treatment. I have been going for therapy for over 8 years and have found it to be helpful. I don't think that therapy alone would be beneficial for me because without meds, I would be a wreck and would not be able to function. Therapy I think can help, it certainly can't hurt I think for most people. When I have felt like I am getting therapy out, I schedule my appointments farther out and see my therapist less. Thus far I have been pleased with my therapist, however, I would prefer to see her partner, but that gets sticky. It would be nice if therapy alone was always the answer, but I don't see it being that way for most.

I'm just at a loss right now...

I'm sure it will come to me sometime.

My advice in seeking out a therapist...after the first or second session, if you feel uncomfortable with that particular therapist...for any reason, look for another. If you don't feel a connection, you probably won't benefit, or take their advice/help seriously.

Either way, wishing you the best on your road to recovery. Most therapists really care and typically enter this field because of their own mental health issues OR that of their families...i.e., wanting to help others or figure out their family's dysfunctional dynamics. They are human too, they typically don't bite!

Best..Julie

I had another that all she did was sit there with this fake ass smile, nod her head alot and say "uh huh". Drove me nuts. I stopped seeing her too. Now, all I have is you guys. I am grateful for that!

Over the many yrs having bipolar, (29 yrs i first got ill at 18 yrs old) i've seeked therapy off and on, i did not want to burden my husband with my issues and symptoms, he can only listen to me for so long although he always gives me an ear and is very patient and loving, i need more support. Also, i needed to reach out to therapy always when desparate b/c i became a mother and i know i need to be healthy for my children.

There were periods that i did not get therapy i felt well enough, but i kow for me there are times i need guidance and support from a neutral perosn and not family and friends.

Post edited by: Dit, at: 09/30/2011 07:36 AM