[Amandas256]

Is a Therapist the same thing as a Pdoc? I see a pdoc but not a therapist. Would a Therapist be healpful to me?

[Perna]

Here at PsychCentral, we call a therapist a T and the PDoc is a Psychiatrist, who mostly just does the medical, drug part of therapy for a condition. Therapy is an individual sort of thing; do you think you might benefit from talking over your thoughts, feelings and actions with someone?

[Amandas256]

I think so. I think I need to talk to someone who will understand and who actually believes in this illness. How many times a week would I need to see a therapist?

[Moreta]

I went once a week to my therapist for awhile. Now I do every 2 weeks. If I wait 3, I forget how to cope with life, for some reason. At lot of my therapy sessions are me going over all the stupid crap that has happened in the last 2 weeks, and then challenging all those thoughts, b/c they're usually not logical.

[Special-K]

LOL I just asked what a pdoc is in another thread then I find this. Never fails when I ask I find the answer!

[Amandas256]

Lol Special K! That happens to me alot!

Originally Posted by Special-K

LOL I just asked what a pdoc is in another thread then I find this. Never fails when I ask I find the answer!

Ooops. Guess which thread I read the new posts for first... Heeheehee. (Fingers crossed that I may have both soon... it's been quite awhile since I've had a T, so it'll be interesting. It's a good combo though. Will post the whole crazy tale soon!)
Amanda, good luck in finding a good T!

[sugahorse1]

I'm going to see a T for the first time a year today.
Not sure why i set up the appointment, but I did

[Trippin2.0]

Should I be seeing a T 2?

Beside the pdoc that dxd me, I've only ever spoken to a social worker, and b/c of my occasional SI, she is now "ill equipped to deal with me"...

ugh, I dunno...

[sugahorse1]

medical aid apparently pays for a few T sessions a year Trippin. I think a T is useful to teach you coping mechanisms. And I think i may well have a few underlying psychological issues that no amount of pills can fix, that I Need to work thro

[Trippin2.0]

Mine pays for 2...that I've used on the pdoc which means a T will have to come outta my pocket...ugh, maybe I should ask social worker if she's up for the challenge???

[sugahorse1]

I wouldn't even know where to find a social worker... lol
I go through days where I feel I just need to pour it all out, an at other times I don't recognise myself as that same person that needs help.

[Amandas256]

I tend to bottle up and not want to talk to anyone about my bipolar because I'm afraid that they are going to think that I am REALLY messed up. I'm hoping that if I go to a T that maybe I'll be able to open up. I know I could really benefit from a T if I just actually talk to them.

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by Amandas256

Is a Therapist the same thing as a Pdoc? I see a pdoc but not a therapist. Would a Therapist be healpful to me?

Hi, Amandas256,

In the old days Pdocs acted as T's as well as prescription persons. Then many people started getting Ph.D.'s in clinical psychology, which made them authorized to give people therapy but not to prescribe medications for them. And that division line still stands. It's being fought about right now. Ph.D.'s want the ability to prescribe and M.D.'s don't want to let them. I understand that the Ph.D.'s just lost in California. But Ph.D.'s aren't the only T's. Social workers can be T's, authorized "counsellors" in certain states can be T's. But in general, whoever your insurance accepts as a T is a T as far as you are concerned.

Take care.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by Amandas256

I think so. I think I need to talk to someone who will understand and who actually believes in this illness. How many times a week would I need to see a therapist?

First you need to find a therapist you feel you can work with and then the two of you will decide together how often you should see him/her. It is possible your psychiatrist can give you some leads as to therapists he works with.

Often psychiatrists and therapists work together, as a therapist can be helpful discussing your meds and how they appear to be working for you with your psychiatrist. The two professionals can often note things together that we don't know what to look for or sooner than we might or than we might be able to put in words.

But, whether your therapist and psychiatrist work together to help you or individually under your direction only, is totally up to you.

[sugahorse1]

Amanda - a T is much easier to talk to than any other person you could ever imagine. They are trained, and therefore know what they are talking about, and also will never think you're mad, as it's their job to help you sort your thoughts. I would really recommend going to see one

[Amandas256]

I'm going to make an appointment to see one. Maybe they will understand me better than my husband and family do.

[sugahorse1]

Yay for you! Well, i have my first visit behind me... will just see how it goes from here on

[Anneinside]

I go to a therapist regularly, at first weekly, now every other week. Without that support, I start to have problems coping with stress and life in general. I would advise anyone with bipolar to have a therapist along with a pdoc.

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Should I be seeing a T 2?

Beside the pdoc that dxd me, I've only ever spoken to a social worker, and b/c of my occasional SI, she is now "ill equipped to deal with me"...

ugh, I dunno...

[sugahorse1]

I am actually really looking forward going back. We are starting with weekly at first too, then will taper down

[owllover99]

I just got a new T. First time he asked questions about meds and drug use and he thought I was like every body else just that I am bipolar. But yesterday he wanted to know my childhood and teenager and all the abuse and ____ I've been through. His attitude definetly changed towards me. Having a T is a good thing. You may have to look around. They are human, too, you know. But help with your BP and all troubles is a good thing. Especially if you can go to someone and let it all out and don't have to worry about hurt feelings, etc.

[greylove]

I've gone to a therapist for several years now. I connected with her really well through different issues in my life, but now that I have Bipolar 1 and severe depression, she just told me she needs, ethically, to let me go. She can no longer help me, and I understand that. My last session made it clear that I am beyond the help of a therapist who specializes in PTSD. She has tried to find me someone who specializes in Bipolar Disorder, but is having no success. Is there such a thing?
My pdoc doesn't yet understand the severity of my illness but clearly I'll be telling him all this week. A good therapist is worth his/her weight in gold.......that's what I wanted to say before I got sidetracked......all the best to you.......greylove

[sugahorse1]

I'm so sorry you are going through so much right now Greylove. It cannot be easy letting your T go. But I salute you for being strong enough to realise that it's really for your best interest. I hope you find what you are looking for soon ((HUGS))

[greylove]

Thanks sugahorse. I see my therapist for the last time tomorrow, to kind of wrap things up. Then I see my pdoc the next day. I have no idea what he's going to say. I'm on two meds right now......Lamictal and Seroquel. He'll probably up the Seroquel, but it doesn't seem remotely near the help I need. Time will tell.......