[DelusionsDaily]

So I was originally Dx'ed Bipolar 4 years ago but my current pdoc has disagreed with the Dx for the last 2 years...until now. I checked the code they printed on my receipt and it's bipolar depression. I have no idea anymore what that means for my recovery if the approach will change.

What is the best type of therapy for bipolar disorder?
Is it possible to manage w/o medication?
What are some good books you have read about bipolar?

[LuminousPax]

Originally Posted by MELISSSAD81

So I was originally Dx'ed Bipolar 4 years ago but my current pdoc has disagreed with the Dx for the last 2 years...until now. I checked the code they printed on my receipt and it's bipolar depression. I have no idea anymore what that means for my recovery if the approach will change.

What is the best type of therapy for bipolar disorder?
Is it possible to manage w/o medication?
What are some good books you have read about bipolar?

I'd recommend you start with a local Bipolar and Depression support group. This will allow you to have a local group of people from a support perspective. Groups like this allow people to share their med experiences and what is working for them now. You can also find out info on other therapists and Pdocs in your area.

For me the key is group, a therapist, meds through my Pdoc and diet and fitness. When I have those items in my life consistently, I feel well.

[LuminousPax]

Were you diagnosed with BP1 or BP2. Med treatments can be different for the type of symptoms that you present.

[wildflowerchild25]

You'll find quite a few people on the boards who manage without medication. I am not one of them; I have found my bipolar is too severe at the moment to function without medication. However like I said many do manage without meds.

As for therapy, I have found DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) to be the most helpful. Start with typing DBT into google - I forget the actual website but you should find it pretty quick. You can also pick up the DBT workbook for bipolar. I have found it most helpful, especially in times of great distress.

Good luck to you! I hope it works out for you.

My favorite three books are The Bipolar Survival Guide ; what you and your family need to know by David Miklowitz md (excuse the title) bipolar for dummies and Bipolar Demystified by Lana Castle.

Two resources I know of for support groups are DBSA and NAMI.org, you can go to their websites to find information. I am more familiar with nami.

I don't personally know of anyone who manages bipolar well without medication. I am pro med and will do whatever it takes not to feel like crap.

I also see a psychologist for therapy, I didn't have very good results with a couple of soc workers. One kept encouraging me to drink wine at night to sleep, my pdoc told me quit her quick which I did.

Best wishes on your journey.

[ultramar]

I don't wish to offend you, but I think it would be worthwhile to clarify this directly with your pdoc. The realities of insurance coverage being what they are, some if not many psychiatrists file insurance claims under disorders that they know will provide longer-term and better coverage. I don't think there's anything wrong with this, generally they are attempting to garner the best and most long-term treatment they can for their patients. But for this very reason, sometimes the insurance claim diagnosis does not correspond with the actual diagnosis.

For example, my insurance (and I think it's not alone in this) provides 'unlimited' coverage for disorders that the company considers 'biologically-based" (i.e. bipolar) and provides far more limited coverage, for example, for personality disorders. Not saying it's fair, but it's the reality of how the system works.

So I would recommend that you talk to your pdoc about this. It may well be the diagnosis he feels is most accurate for you, but I think it's worth a clarification.

[DelusionsDaily]

Thanks but I pay out of pocket for my pdoc so i find it hard to believe he'd being writing anywhere for any reason other than truth.

[A Red Panda]

Well Melissa....

Treatment and what works is extremely individual with bipolar! There's a huge difference between bp1, bp2, and cylcothymic. They're sooooo different. And even within those, there's a large amount of difference in regards to severity.

Eg. bp1 has full mania. Yea. We're all aware of that by now. Some people with bp1 also have psychosis. Some don't. If you have psychosis, you're going to definitely be needing an anti-psychotic to help out for the most part. I can't speak too much for bp1 as I am fortunate enough to not have to deal with mania or psychosis. I have bp2. My ups are quite mild even for that, but my depressions can be very severe. But since I have lucked out with my ups, they don't mess up my life TOO much and I have learned how to handle them without meds. I can even manage my depression without meds. Why? Who knows. I'm stubborn. I'm lucky. I'm currently on meds by choice to help with a difficult situation. Others with bp2 can't handle it (or don't want to) without meds.

It's really allll so different that the only way to manage it is to get to know yourself VERY WELL and to be open and willing to have a lot of conversation about it. And a lot of trial and error.

[Amelie10]

Everyone is different, but personally I could not survive my illness without meds. For me it is a simple matter of life and death. Finding the right treatment and combo of meds may take time, but there are a lot of options. I'm glad you are on the board. It really helps to know you are not alone.

[Trippin2.0]

I tried the traditional "You are sick for life your, future is bleak, so take your meds!" route.

Didn't suite me

Now I manage without meds, have been doing so SUCCESSFULLY for 23 months and counting...

The road to wellness is an individual one Melissa, its up to you which path you take.

Ps. Its nice to see you post again

[Victoria'smom]

MELISSSAD81- Did you sign that contract? If so stick to it because I have no doubt your pdoc will section you if it's not followed. Probably a third of my therapy is about my feeling and deciding whether or not to continue my medication. So I would suggest talking to your T. You may want to consider meds for the short term given your current difficulties.

For me meds are going to be for life but I'm only on 2/1x a day, at night. I also have PRN's and take thyroid meds when I wake up. The thyroid med is not because of my psych meds. My husband only takes 2/1x a night psych meds also but he has no PRN's. If you can handle it that may be an option. Sorry you have to make this decision.

As for books, I like to read blogs instead.

As for therapy 'talk therapy' is the best for my therapy goals but CBT is generally needed first to get me comfortable with the therapist. Often when I'm severely not well my T goes back to cbt to get to me. I think therapy is very individual to the person and their goals.

[Anika.]

I have bipolar 1 with psychosis.. am med free now for about two years and have been very well. No wpisodes of mania depression or psychosis. So it definatly is possible. It's just a choice we have to make for ouselves, which path to wellness do we WANT to take. There are many many options in the ways to manage bipolar. Too many to list.

I found dbt, and cbt to be very helpful, not just for bipolar and I had to work on this solo as I did not have a t for this. Mindfulness is a extremly powerful tool in life. Diet, physical health is important too. All areas of our life are important and need nurturing. The one and biggest problem I had with mental health was the lack of focus on the whole person and whole wellbeing. It wasn't enough for me to get better, just enough to cope and miserably at that most times.

I think that it is important to focus on the whole person's wellbeing for success managing this whether on meds or not.

Books...hmm I find many books written on bipolar to be quite biased honestly. Most I have read perpetuate theories as fact, discount people's abilities and basically present a package of hoplessness although do not come out and say so directly . I think the truth is there is way more hope, control and self empowerment out there than many of these authors talk about.

[IndieVisible]

2 years without any episodes off meds? That's the first time I've ever heard this.

[Anika.]

There are plenty of people having success without meds, they are out there.

[DelusionsDaily]

Nevermind I cant read its: 296.9 mood disorder NOS. I misread it. What a nebulous diagonosis I cant read about that! **** I hate my psychiatrist.

[Victoria'smom]

MELISSSAD81- I had mood disorder NOS for years because of an *** of a pdoc. Please get a second opinion and a full psych exam.