[RobertDark]

Saw a psychotherapist yesterday and he did an assessment on me. I am trying to attack my issues (likely BPII) without meds and he suggested intensive outpatient group therapy. It would be about a month long, 3 days a week, 3 hours at a time. I am just wondering if anyone else has done something like this for their issues and how it worked for you.

I am willing to do anything and I am trying so hard to not throw a med on top of my issues. I understand the eventually I may need to if I still cannot cope, but my thought is doing something like this and really working hard on myself, I can see if I can handle this on my own or it could show me that I need more help and to go back on meds.

Thanks for feedback.

[Trippin2.0]

Wow! I commend you on your decision, had I alternative options suggested to me, I wouldn't have taken the med route so easily and so immediately. AND I would've saved myself the withdrawls when I eventually quit them I don't have any advice, but I'm sure there's much to learn in a group setting. I've learned most if not all of my coping strategies right here, so I'm confident the outpatient will be beneficial for you

[RobertDark]

Heh... Well, the reason I am taking this method now is because I did the med thing before and I went to it pretty easily.

Not that there is a single thing wrong with medication, I might end up back there. I just really want to try something else first and this sounds interesting and was curious to see if others had given it a shot.

I want to avoid meds because I did meds for 8 years and I after a while my mood was a straight line, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I understand stability is what a lot of people seek, but I kinda like the highs and "normal" moods, the down/depression state could go live in Antarctica however and I'd be okay with that. Too bad I can't pick and choose. I just need to look for a way to be less destructive to my life in those highs and lows and if I am going to try my hardest to see if that's possible without medication.

[Trippin2.0]

Gotcha! I also 'flatlined', and didn't enjoy it. I'm used to having a wide range of emotions on a larger scale, and not having them unsettled me ALOT. I think that for many of us, learning to adapt to our scale of things and curbing destructive behaviour is do-able, having the right tools and support system goes a long long way. What I've found that helps me, as a whole, is accepting the scale of things, accepting 'my' reality, but yes, like you, I've also accepted that meds might be inevitable, but for now, I know I can handle being me.

[Merlin]

I would advocate the IOPs so so so much. They're great for anyone who needs more than once a week therapy or who would benefit from group therapy. One experience of an IOP prevented me from needing inpatient treatment. I probably should have gone a second time, that's what the PER recommended, but I didn't have it in me to go and sit and wait at the intake.

As for the meds, some of us need them and others don't. Some of us need them for a time and not always and some of us will take them for life. Like you though, I don't want to give up my highs and lows, so I've discussed with pdoc and we are aiming for non or minimally impairing moods. I do use the meds, but next summer I may try to taper them down. I am going back to school this year, so I don't want to mess with anything.

[bluematador]

Have you checked out the bipolar advantage? It's helping me manage my episodes better. I have a severe bipolar one disorder that doesn't respond well to medication. I am learning how to stay present during my mood swings and to function better during them so they don't disrupt my life so much.

[RobertDark]

I started this last night. It's a small group of 6 lead by a therapist and a student. Only one session in and I see the value. The first half of every session is focused on coping skills which I honestly have never learned since I denied for so long what I was. I never did therapy until now. The second half gives everyone a chance to vent and bounce ideas of each other about what they are going through.

I think this is exactly what I need at this point in my life. I also think I am going to need meds for the depression and mood swings and I am seeing an NP next week. I just think I can't do one or the other, it has to be both.

So far, this is off to a great start, I will check in when it's over again to give my overall opinion.

[Seaswept]

I'm glad its going well for you.
I did the op therapy and it helped a lot. We had several groups per day about 4 or 5, the counselors were really helpful and I met some nice people.
My therapist wants me to go to dbt therapy but the program is in the city an hour away from where I live.

[Victoria'smom]

IOP (PHP) was suggested to me today. I flat out said NO. I see my therapist in two weeks so I'll probably ask her why the general Dr. suggested that to see her take. Best of luck!

[RobertDark]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

IOP (PHP) was suggested to me today. I flat out said NO. I see my therapist in two weeks so I'll probably ask her why the general Dr. suggested that to see her take. Best of luck!

You can ignore this if you want, but why is that something you are not interested in? Just curious.

For me, there is something about sitting in a room with a few people going through the same stuff you are, it's not only good to hear others struggles (to know you aren't alone) but to bounce ideas on coping off each other. The therapy portion is great for learning but I bet that's something you get with your one on one T. I have never been through therapy so jumping right in and doing something intense is probably exactly what I need.

[Victoria'smom]

WARNING: GRAPHIC , COULD TRIGGER


This was suggested because I went as a walk-in after purging blood.

MAINLY this- Ours requires a code to get in and out of the IOP area and I can't cope with feeling like I'm trapped. The therapy offices our getting that installed now but my therapist is going to show me the two other exits.

My center deals with mostly current addicts, so they really enjoy us a lot. I have been clean for 12 years and feel that recently recovering addicts are a trigger for me. We (my family) are one of the first voluntary patients with no criminal record. I very easily concentrate on helping others and not myself. I redirect a lot and even when not trying steer conversations in my favor. I am not healthy enough for others. With how bad my OCD, and anxiety are it's not a good idea. With all that my eating disorder and non-compliance will get worse. However, if my therapist agrees with my GP I will try it.

[RobertDark]

Thanks for sharing and I can absolutely see why you wouldn't want to involve yourself with that at this point in your life.