[Victoria'smom]

I've noticed some of us are handling BP on our own, some have just a pdoc, some have pdoc's and T's, and some have a team. Why do you think our BP "team" look so different? What does your "team" look like? why? Does your "team" communicate? Has this change as your BP has changed or if you moved how different does your team look?

[BlackPup]

I used to have T but moved cities and never got around to finding one here, don't really need it either cos I'm pretty stable.

[cocoabeans]

Heh, I don't even have a GP right now

[BipolaRNurse]

I only have a pdoc, who also does psychotherapy. Don't feel I need a T at this point.

[Trippin2.0]

I'm in the same boat as cocoabeans...

[hamster-bamster]

I only have a p-doc. T-docs have only brought disappointments and grief.

I have a pdoc and a T. I couldn't do it without either one of them. My pdoc handles the meds, the more bipolar end of things. My t probably deals mostly with my PTSD diagnosis more than my bipolar diagnosis, but he has been vital in helping me catch my depressive episodes earlier, learn ways to cope more effectivey with my episodes when I'm in the midst of them, and getting me to whatever help I need when I need it.

[ripcity]

I have a pdoc. No T right now. I have no energy to once again go over my life history.

[sugahorse1]

I bounce between my GP and a pdoc

[roads]

Okay, so I can't read or think or probably both (no rub-tummy/pat-head syndrome) ... I said D but E is really true for me. I have several people on board keeping my balancing act going strong.

[Miss Laura]

I said 'need to explain more'

I have a GP who administers my meds every 2 months as I do not get a repeat prescription since my meds change occassionally. I go between 2 female GP's and they have both seen me manic, depressed, anxious and everything in between!

I have a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) who I got through my Psychiatrist. I would say he is kinda like a T in the sense he counsells me. He gives me tips on how to deal with my issues and also helps me to keep safe. He liases with my GP's and Psychiatrist. I touch base with him monthly but this is soon to stop unfortunately. He can also prescribe meds and or up or lower them. He counsults Psych though

I have a Psychiatrist who I see every 2-3 months. He is leaving in September so awaiting anxiously for new Psych

I have for over a year now been involved in a Mental Health Charity called Penumbra and I have Support Workers there. I receive 1:1 emotional support weekly from them. I go to activities through them too ie badminton, swimming, tai chi and a book club. Through this I have made a good few friends

I also attend a Depression Group every 2 weeks. I'm the only Bipolar'er in the group but hey it helps me sometimes

Then there is my family and friends too who give unconditional support

[Tsunamisurfer]

I put "Going it alone" because I'm unmedicated, but it's not strictly true that I am alone - I went off meds under supervision, and keep in touch with my Pdoc for quarterly reviews and to be sure I have her support if things start to get out of hand.
I haven't seen my T for 8 months, but I need to find someone who is prepared to work with me while I'm not doped up. Just mention hallucinations, paranoia and confusion to your average psychologist and its amazing how quickly their eyes glaze over.

I tried a couple of community support groups. One folded as numbers dwindled, and the other I went to once and got very strange vibes. My psychologist later gave me a cryptic warning to avoid that particular hospital (where that group met). (plays soundtrack from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho")

[sjane23]

I'm not sure what those terms are as I'm from the uk but I have a psychiatrist, psychologist, and a community psychiatric nurse that checks up on me every 2 weeks I'm also waiting for a support worker who can be there for me more often than my cpn

[moremi]

I have both a pdoc and a T. Although, they have switched my thereapist around so much I have not gotten toknow one very well yet, its for insurance purposes or something. Wish they would just figure it out. I also have a woman from the state that calls me to make sure that my pdoc and t are doing what they should be and if not she will intervene and make sure my needs are being met.

[RobertDark]

I am doing intensive outpatient therapy at the moment and will be seeing a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner next week. I'm not sure that I plan to keep a T (or find one, really) after this IOP which has been immensely helpful. It's been so helpful that I think if I keep practicing what I learned, it should help a ton. They also have an 'alumni' group which meets a few times a week so that support system could still be there if I want it.

Not 100% sure what I plan to do with meds either (I am currently off) but I feel like I could use the help they will provide. I will talk through that with the NP and see what she thinks. I'd prefer to never be on meds but I am not sure if I'd survive another depressed state.

[Moreta]

I have a pdoc and a T. I finally see my pdoc on the 16th. It's been 2 months since I've seen him, and I get antsy if I don't see him every month, even though I am stable. lol. I haven't seen my T since may b/c of money issues, so hopefully I'll get to see him at the end of this month.

[irishgirliexo]

I have a t and pdoc. I have both I go to a clinic which has both pdoc's and t's. I'm not sure but it seems like they require you to have both there. I feel that I no longer need to see a t because I've been stable for a while. I suppose I should have one just in case anything happens and to talk about my issues.

[bluematador]

I have a great pdoc and T. They work together. This is the first time I found a T that has really made a difference. This is also the first time I am trying cognitive behavioral therapy.

[faerie_moon_x]

My "team" (meaning just me, haha,) looks the way it does because my "co-pay" to see a mental health specialist is far too high and I can't afford to go. I actually found a therapist whose fee is less than my co-pay (but still too expensive, only $10 less,) and that made me mad.

[Resident Bipolar]

I have a psychiatrist, and mental health nurse (community psychiatric worker), a DBT worker, and a crisis team for suicidal thought support.

[BuggsBunny]

Originally Posted by sjane23

I'm not sure what those terms are

Pdoc is Psychiatrist
T is Therapist
We just shorthanded them.

I have a Nurse Practitioner who right now serves as both my pdoc and my T. I never thought I'd see anybody less than a PhD, as the lower levels of education irritate me more than they help. I used to have a pdoc and T that were in the same office or earlier that were friends and worked as a team for me, but when I moved out here into the middle of nowhere, all there was available (without an hour's drive or more) was an NP. So she works with my GP to get me the meds she can't prescribe, like sleeping pills. But she can prescribe most of my psych meds, and I'm stable enough that I don't need many changes.

I don't know what would happen exactly in a crisis. I should ask her that...

[cocoabeans]

Doesn't a nurse practioner have to go to school for like 6-7 yrs to be liscensed as such? To be just an RN takes 4 to 5 here so...is it really lower education levels?

[BuggsBunny]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

Doesn't a nurse practioner have to go to school for like 6-7 yrs to be liscensed as such? To be just an RN takes 4 to 5 here so...is it really lower education levels?

Lower education in psychology degrees and social work, yes.