Minor Triumph

Today my T said that it's time to cut back frequency of sessions! We're going to every other week for now, and probably less often than that if things continue to go well.

He said that it's because I have good insight and know what to do if problems come up in the future. He also said that as long as I'm stable on meds and don't need help with other issues, there's no reason to continue therapy just because I have bipolar.

I agree that ending therapy is a realistic goal for me. I'm much more likely to take immediate action if problems arise again in the future, because now I know what I'm dealing with and how much better things can be.

Anyway, I'm really pleased about this and just wanted to share.

Ooooh well done AniManiac! This speaks for you, big time. Nice going. Just remember to get in touch with your T after the sessions end if there are any wobbles - but I know you will

Woo Hoo I'm in the same place!! Congrats!! Took long enough for me. Took lots of docs too. LOL I'm so glad to be stable!!

Nice work! Will you still be checking in with your pdoc occasionally?

Yea, AniManiac! I know it's something you were hoping for. It's great he said you have good insight -- showing the confidence that you will know when to act to bring things into balance again and not let them get out of control. It's nice to feel that trust. Mine affords me that most of the time (not always, because she's seen me lose insight and steps it up as necessary). It helps to bring a feeling of being a more active partner, doesn't it?

God job Ani!!!! That must feel really good. Means you have done a lot of hard work, I'm proud of you. It feels good to gain that confidence.

For sure. I don't have a choice about that one - they're going to do random urine testing for awhile to make sure I'm staying clean (which is no problem now that I have mood stabilizers) because that was the trade I made for ADD meds.

The ADD meds are Schedule II (DEA controlled), can only be dispensed a month at a time, and have to be on paper (no fax or calling them in) so that means I'll be checking in every month. They'll probably take me down to the 15-minute appointments soon too, but that's long enough to go over the basics.

Way to go!!!!!! Congrats

That's the idea - taper it off so that we're all sure that I'm doing as well as we all think I am, and I can always go back if I need to. He said there's no point in waiting for the other shoe to drop in the meantime, and better to just keep moving forward until there's a need to do something different.

I feel like he respects my judgment and ability to make good choices for myself, which is really great. Even when I'm in a bad head space, I respond well to logic and as long as I can tell that something is off, I can do something about it.

He also said that I didn't seem likely to be a risk for quitting meds and messing things up for myself that way - which is also true. I like feeling pretty certain that I'll be able to function tomorrow. Sure, I miss the occasional bit of mania, but I sure don't miss the depression, and that alone is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow.

It really does feel good - kind of validating, if you know what I mean. The biggest thing was really making sure I was doing OK while getting meds stabilized, and it looks like that's pretty much worked out.

I really owe everyone here a huge thank-you for helping me through this initial stage of adjusting to the whole bipolar dx, working on acceptance, learning what I'm in for and what I can expect, and especially what I can do for myself to stay as stable as possible. It's so great to have people who really get it to talk to about all of this wacky stuff!

Congratulations Animaniac! Woohoo! I am so happy for you that your Doctor and you have built this kind of trust. Keep up the good work and may you stay stable for a long long time.

Best wishes Rapid