[henrydavidtherobot]

I started therapy when I was 19 following my sister's death. Since college started, I could tell that there was something "off" about me. Therapy has helped in some ways, but the results haven't been huge. However, if I miss a week or two, I'm in bad shape.

Anyway, I'm on my 4th therapist. I was diagnosed with cyclothymia two months ago, even though I've been complaining about mood swings and impulsivity for years. Now, my T thinks that I have BPD. She's also suggesting that I start DBT with a new T.

It's been 4 years! How would it take so long and so many people to realize that something is amiss? Also, wtf do I have? I'm losing hope that anyone can help

I'm going to keep going though, because idk what else to do.

[Alokin]

I have been through similar struggles. You are unique and complex. Diagnosing MI is very difficult to do. BPD and bipolar can be difficult to distinguish from one another. I would not get hung up about the label.

I think you are very lucky to have access to DBT. Whether you are BPD or bipolar the skills learned are very good, especially if you are receptive to it.

Just go with it, but use your head. Don't expect people that professionals that barely know you to be able to dx you accurately after meeting with them few times.

4 years, 4 Ts? Don't feel too overwhelmed by me telling you this, but I have been trying to figure out what is going on at least 15 years. I have no idea how many Ts, pdocs, PAs and other healthcare providers I have been through. You can tell a lot of other have been through this as well, some speak just like Dr.'s! I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, borderline pd, bipolar, depression and who knows what I have not been told about.

Be patient! It is all a learning experience, whether or not you figure it out completely you can almost always take something from these experiences.

I hope you can find some relief, we all know what it is to suffer and we are here to support each other.

[henrydavidtherobot]

I just worry. It seems odd to me that it wouldn't be seen as serious until now, even if they didn't have a diagnosis. I heard that DBT takes a year to see results. I'm trying to move out of the US in 3 months. I'm sick of reaching for stability. I just want it. You know?

[vans1974]

Hey henrydavidtherobot- Sorry to hear you're struggling! I've been battling BPD for over 20 years now and for me it's all about the meds and finding the right dosage and cocktail! Without the meds working, therapy is pointless to me! Regardless if you're bp or cyclothymic, I find that an AAP like Latuda is the glue that's keeps me somewhat stable! All the best!!

[Victoria'smom]

I've been through therapists like they're sand. I refuse to let anything go into my file that I is associate with bipolar or ED nos. I've been lucky enough to find a pdoc and T 2 years ago that their intent is to keep me in the mental health system and trusting them. As a family we get tons of support from our heath team (GP's, Pdoc's, T's, and specialists's) all work as a family team instead of individual cases. Keep trying until you find people that you mesh well with.

[nbritton]

Originally Posted by henrydavidtherobot

Now, my T thinks that I have BPD. She's also suggesting that I start DBT with a new T.

Have you responded to medication? Refer to Dr. Phelps website for an explanation of the , often subtle, differences between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Borderline or Bipolar or both?

Bipolar disorder has a neurological pathology, what do you believe therapy will accomplish for you? I'm for therapy, but understand that it won't resolve the underlying illness. With a neuropsychiatric illness, therapy is mostly case management. They're great at helping solve problems and teaching you new ways to better deal with problems. However, they can't "fix" you, only medication is capable of correcting this physical problem.

For instance, a diabetic wouldn't see a therapist to solve their diabetes, they would see a therapist to help them deal with the problems diabetes creates in their life. The same is essentially true for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.

It just so happens to be that one of the major mechanisms that triggers these run away changes in the brain is stress (i.e. stress released neuro-chemicals, i.g. cortisol). So anything that helps manage stress can help, this is why, from a scientific point of view, therapy has been proven to be clinically effective.

The Biologic Basis of Bipolar Disorder

[unlockingsanity]

When you said BPD did you mean borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder?

I had a therapist do the same thing. I saw him for several years before he decided he didn't "know" how he could help me anymore and wanted to refer me on.

Like.....you didn't realize you couldn't help in the first year or two?

Maybe you haven't found a good fit yet. Medication really can help you move forward positively in therapy.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by nbritton

They're great at helping solve problems and teaching you new ways to better deal with problems. However, they can't "fix" you, only medication is capable of correcting this physical problem.

Firstly I call MAJOR. Bullshyt!
DBT is the gold standard for bpd, and will help with the cyclothamia as you learn emotional regulation during therapy. Coping skills help people with bipolar. Period.

Meds don't correct jack shyt, that would imply there's a cure when we don't even have designated bipolar meds on the market.
More on that further down...

For instance, a diabetic wouldn't see a therapist to solve their diabetes, they would see a therapist to help them deal with the problems diabetes creates in their life. The same is essentially true for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.

Its all good and well for a diabetic to take insulin. Its OBVIOUS they need some. Nobody knows exactly wtf we need, because the jury is STILL out on what bp actually is, so they're still largely playing the medi go round by ear.

Yes, I do dare say so. How dare I you ask?...

Simple logic actually. Firstly, only theories regarding what bp is, are available. Chemical imbalance, misfiring neurons, genetics, etc... NO fact has been documented (check the DSM if you doubt me.)

If doctors knew wtf caused this there would be BIPOLAR meds galore on the market, and they would work for us all. Just like insulin works for every diabetic, they don't have to test and switch cocktails until they strike gold. There are none available distinctly marketed for bp except Lithium. I dare you to name any others

No we are precribed anti-depressants (which is understandable, but not even all of us can stomach them, as they are manufactured for depression.) We are prescribed anti-convulsants, (mood stabilizers) even though Idk any epilepics here, and we are precribed anti-psychotics, even though we don't suffer from psychosis sans an episode.

The AD'S keep us up enough, the MS's keep us down enough, and the AP's quiet our minds and dull our emotional reactions.

They are still treating us symptom by symptom because frankly they have no idea how to fix us and so they are working with what info and resources are available to them.

So anything that helps manage stress can help, this is why, from a scientific point of view, therapy has been proven to be clinically effective.

Therapy for bipolar is much more than stress management. Stress management sounds like talking about how shytti this episode is and wondering if your family hates you because you ran down the street naked calling the cops via your state of the art sneaker cellphone with the neon laces, I mean buttons.
Therapy is not just about talking to someone who likes hearing your voice because it sounds like money.

T's helps implement healthy coping mechanisms because episodes don't disappear when medicated. A T helps to guide and provide insight when you are irrational and unable to make good decisions. A T helps you formulate healthy lifestyle changes, and will help you stick to them. Just look at the thread "Your top 3 coping skills?".... Some strategies listed there were taught in therapy, strategies that have been life savers for many of us. Coping skills Why do we need coping skills if meds fix us?

Oh riiiight! They don't.

So don't come spew negilgent a.s.s bull about how therapy is basically no better than a band aid when so many people are BETTER coping with the waves due to therapy. Psychotropic meds don't work like asprin, back ups are essential to SURVIVAL.

Henrydavidtherobot... I am not in therapy, I'm not a fan of scratching open old scars and seeing if they'll bleed and thus need a band aid. Buuut, I am going to sign up for DBT as soon as the bank account allows.

Trying is worthy to be proud of, and I am proud of you for trying even though it feels pointless right now.

[Jcon614]

I totally agree with Trippin. Major BS. Read it all. Complete nonsense with no scientific fact, only conjencture.

[henrydavidtherobot]

I don't think that nbritton was trying to say anything offensive. I think that meds can help, but they can't fix you. People with mental disorders have chemical imbalances in addition to poor coping skills and thought problems. I'm on Lamictal. It's helped, but I'm not on a typical dosage yet (100). Though its easier to keep moods in order, I still struggle with the bi polar thought patterns, such as black and white and grandiosity. I seek therapy because I want to think more effectively. It's done wonders for my anxiety. I take kolopin for sleep more than I do for anxiety.

When I say BPD, I'm referring to borderline. Cyclothymia is a bipolar disorder.

I guess I'm just getting frustrated. I don't need a magic pill to fix everything. I'm willing to do all the work; I just want a compas.

I'm tired of learning to live my life well instead of just living well. I want to move soon. It will break my hard and compromise my future if I'm too unwell to go