breakdown

I just got out of the hospital a week ago after a serious breakdown. I kept saying to people, "I'm OK" when I guess I really was not and ended up in the hospital. I drove myself there so my husband did not have to bring the kids, although he would have driven me there. Since I got out I've been going to a full day outpatient program. I feel like for the first time I am really learning something about myself. My self esteem has always been low so this therapy is helping me learn how to build confidence as well as working with cognitive therapy. Any thoughts on how therapy has helped them? I've had this illness for many years but for years only had a pdoc. I am definitely going to get a therapist now.

You know what, I went to therapists before but never thought they could help me because BP is a chemical problem, but have been going to one for about 4 or 5 months now and she is helping me so much in learning coping skills for whenever this disorder deals me.

She is trying her hardest to teach me how to meditate for intrusive thoughts that we all get. She told me that there isn't one way to do this. She said you don't have to get on the floor in that weird position and chant Ohmmm. She told me that whenever I get an intrustive thought to just notice it and then focus on my breathing.

She also told me to switch my focus on something outside, even it's just a blade of grass because this is getting my attention onto something else.

It takes a lot of practice and I am not nearly that great at it, but I try to do it everyday and it is getting so much easier to do.

I think anyone who suffers from MI should go to a therapist because most of them do know what they're doing. There are some out there who don't know what they're doing, but I have found one who is truly caring and she teaches people techniques to use.

I remember she told me on numerous occasions that you can feed a whole colony of people, but if you teach someone to fish, they can feed themselves.

She told me that whenever I feel a panic attack coming on to change my focus to something that is visual to get my mind off of the panic attack.

She is teaching me skills to use in the real world and I wouldn't trade her for the world.

I'm definitely going to get a therapist before I finish up the outpatient program. Thanks for your insight.

I started seeiing a Therapist after i wound up in the hospital in Feb 2011.. I really feel the only reason im still walking and breathing is the fact I started therapy .. pre hospital diagnosis was " depresion due to fibromyagia pain" after seeing my therapist weekly since then him and my Pdoc have figured out I have been Bi Polar all my life basically !!!!!Im 44 years old and looking back now knowing what my therapist has taught me it sure does explain ALOT of choices in my life and my reactions about things etc... I think Bi polar needs to be treated with medication AND therapy.

Id love to say im doing great and im fixed ! haha we all know there isnt a " fix" but there is learning coping skills and sometimes just knowing whats wrong helps to understand it.

I wish I didnt have Bi Polar ( like everyone else) But Im hoping eventually i will learn to live with out selfloating and all the "other thoughts" that circle like sharks.

Definatly get lined up with a therapist and be totally honest with them from day one .. Honesty is the only way to really start to be healthy again. If you cant be honest with your therapist... who can you be honest with.... is my motto

I wish you some peace ~

I also didn't believe a therapist could help.
My pdoc hospitalised me when he firsted dx'd me to get my meds sorted, do some blood tests and whatever. He MADE me see a T, who came to the hospital. I went to see her a few times after I left the hospital, but felt it didn't help much.

Then I started to get REALLY depressed. Landed back in hospital and my T was there again. After a few weeks I stopped therapy. Ultimately, she was probably just not right for me. I joined a few local forums and mailing lists and got a recommendation. I went to a T, and stayed with her for over a year, until I felt I was OK to stop therapy.

So, yet another non-believer has been converted, lol

In 2007 I had a breakdown and ended up with a one week stay in the psych ward. After that I attended 4 weeks of Day Hospital, which is an outpatient group therapy program, 9:00 - 3:00, Monday to Friday. I didn't feel that it helped me much, but at that point I was being treated for unipolar depression.

In April, this year, I had another breakdown. The doctor would not admit me to hospital, but sent me to Day Hospital. This time there were people with bipolar disorder in the group therapy. The things they said brought me to the realization that I have bipolar disorder too. With the change in diagnosis and resulting change in meds, I was there 7 weeks this year. I feel that it helped tremendously. With the therapy and the books I read, and coming here, I understand my BP II now. I understand myself better than I ever did. I know what triggers to watch out for. I know when to go for help now. Before I only went when I was depressed. I would say the Day Hospital was just what I needed, and the books, and PC build on what I've learned about myself and my BP disorder.