[Healing the Damage]

Hey everyone,

So, I have some ideas for topics that we could discuss, but I wanted to get some input from you guys since the chat is for you.

These are the topics I had in mind:

• Medication
• Coping skills (for depression, mania, mixed, etc)
• Differences between diagnoses (1, 2, cyclothymia, NOS, etc)

Is there anything else that anything thinks we should or could discuss? I'm open to any and all ideas!

I'll put up a poll on Friday for everyone to vote.

Thanks!

[Healing the Damage]

Bumping in case anyone has any ideas for topics.

[JamesO2]

Hmm... For me the social aspects are the worst.

I'm trying to find a roommate in a new city and am worried about how/when to discuss the issue of bipolar. Because I could just not tell them, but they are going to find out eventually. I get really nervous about talking about bipolar... Not because I'm ashamed or anything. But simply because it's hard talking to people who don't understand. Because they usually won't understand. Also I've lost friends, job opportunities, and roommates because of it. Sometimes because of my behavior, sometimes because of their own fears and judgements of mental illness. But regardless, talking about the issue is hard because people treat you different afterwards, and in some cases it can limit your opportunities in life.

I haven't found a good way to deal with this, and it only furthers the "don't talk about it" stigma of mental illness.

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by JamesO2

Hmm... For me the social aspects are the worst.

I'm trying to find a roommate in a new city and am worried about how/when to discuss the issue of bipolar. Because I could just not tell them, but they are going to find out eventually. I get really nervous about talking about bipolar... Not because I'm ashamed or anything. But simply because it's hard talking to people who don't understand. Because they usually won't understand. Also I've lost friends, job opportunities, and roommates because of it. Sometimes because of my behavior, sometimes because of their own fears and judgements of mental illness. But regardless, talking about the issue is hard because people treat you different afterwards, and in some cases it can limit your opportunities in life.

I haven't found a good way to deal with this, and it only furthers the "don't talk about it" stigma of mental illness.

While I understand what you're saying, we discussed stigma this past week on October 28, so I would rather have a new topic for this coming week. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[JamesO2]

Awww. Sorry I'm relatively new here. I missed that one. I haven't been to one of these chats yet. Stigma is a huge issue for me. Any chance I could get a transcript of the last chat?

For me stigma is the hugest issue. Because dealing with myself is relatively easy (I do it all the time). It's dealing with others and the way they deal with me that is hard.

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by Living in Chaos

Hey everyone,

So, I have some ideas for topics that we could discuss, but I wanted to get some input from you guys since the chat is for you.

These are the topics I had in mind:

• Medication
• Coping skills (for depression, mania, mixed, etc)
• Differences between diagnoses (1, 2, cyclothymia, NOS, etc)

Is there anything else that anything thinks we should or could discuss? I'm open to any and all ideas!

I'll put up a poll on Friday for everyone to vote.

Thanks!

Successful therapy techniques for managing bp

(Sorry that's kind of a lame one)

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by JamesO2

Awww. Sorry I'm relatively new here. I missed that one. I haven't been to one of these chats yet. Stigma is a huge issue for me. Any chance I could get a transcript of the last chat?

For me stigma is the hugest issue. Because dealing with myself is relatively easy (I do it all the time). It's dealing with others and the way they deal with me that is hard.

It's quite alright! I do not have a transcript of the chat, sorry. I'm sure we'll discuss that topic again in the future, I just don't want to have the same topic weeks in a row.

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Successful therapy techniques for managing bp

(Sorry that's kind of a lame one)

It's not lame at all! Would discussing coping skills be along the same lines? Or do you mean something else?

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by Living in Chaos

It's quite alright! I do not have a transcript of the chat, sorry. I'm sure we'll discuss that topic again in the future, I just don't want to have the same topic weeks in a row.


It's not lame at all! Would discussing coping skills be along the same lines? Or do you mean something else?

Coping skills would be a sub branch of useful "therapy" treatment. For instance, is it useful in the long run to go inpatient or outpatient? One on one or group therapy sessions? Type of therapy offered - cbt or something else? What's the most useful tip a therapist has ever given you (coping skills). Weekly or monthly sessions? Reasons behind why some people stop therapy? Etc

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by Living in Chaos

It's quite alright! I do not have a transcript of the chat, sorry. I'm sure we'll discuss that topic again in the future, I just don't want to have the same topic weeks in a row.


It's not lame at all! Would discussing coping skills be along the same lines? Or do you mean something else?

What are the characteristics of a good therapist?
How do you know when it might be time to change therapists?

[Curious651]

Like therapy and coping skills. Would love to go over effects that others have on mood. I maybe the only one, but others send me spinning at times.

[Healing the Damage]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Coping skills would be a sub branch of useful "therapy" treatment. For instance, is it useful in the long run to go inpatient or outpatient? One on one or group therapy sessions? Type of therapy offered - cbt or something else? What's the most useful tip a therapist has ever given you (coping skills). Weekly or monthly sessions? Reasons behind why some people stop therapy? Etc

Originally Posted by Hooligan

What are the characteristics of a good therapist?
How do you know when it might be time to change therapists?

Originally Posted by Curious651

Like therapy and coping skills. Would love to go over effects that others have on mood. I maybe the only one, but others send me spinning at times.

Those are all great suggestions, thanks

I will be putting up the poll this afternoon!

[WorkhorseDVM]

I like the coping skills, finding a therapist.