[RomanJames2014]

Sooo....
My PDOC has agreed and diagnosed me with Bipolar.
My therapist however, doesn't ever want to talk about the bipolar and referred to it as "what your dr calls it". He always brings up topics and hints things and asks about my relationships and abandonment and how they affect my mood as well.

He keeps trying to prove that my dr Misdiagnosed me but he has never brought it up and claims that I should get a full psych evaluation from the people generous with.

I know I'm not borderline. Relationships have barley any effect on my moods l. I am currently in a happy relationship and have gone through different moods.

I have also experienced mania and hypo mania. My therapist has said that the risky sex behavior is me just trying to connect or build a connection when really it's not. As for mania and hypo manic states, I feel the euphoria and the hallucinations and stuff.

I just don't trust my therapist at all. If borderline personality can be treated with therapy, then why is it that the therapy isn't doing anything for me and the medications (lithium right now) are?

Anyone else in this situation or ever been in this situation? I'm so confused. It feels like when I came out and knew that I was 100%gay and every one said that I was just "confused" or "questioning".


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[Pastel Kitten]

My current pdoc originally diagnosed me with bipolar II, but she has recently begun questioning it due to my medication not helping me. She diagnosed me with borderline and while I agree with it, I still believe I may be also bipolar. She said the co-morbidity of bipolar and BPD is controversial, but I've read numerous studies showing that they are very often co-morbid so I'm a bit confused about this myself. The primary reason she doesn't believe I'm bipolar is because she herself has not witnessed a hypomanic episode in me, whereas I'm pretty certain I have, especially because a past pdoc determined I was hypomanic at her appointment. She has taken me off of lithium now so I guess I'll have to see whether or not I get hypomanic again after being off of it for a while.

How much lithium are you on? The highest I was on was 900mg. While on it, I had a period in which I felt pretty stable mood-wise minus the anxiety from my BPD. It lasted about 3 weeks but then I began to dip down into depression again and have been stuck here for a month. She actually told me that bipolar meds at a therapeutic dose can often cause depression in a person who is borderline, but I honestly feel that my meds simply slowed down my cycling (I used to rapid cycle). I'm sorry that you feel your therapist is disregarding your diagnosis and symptoms. Is it possible for you to find someone else?

[RomanJames2014]

I'm on 900mg of lithium now and it seems to work alright. I'm sorry about your anxiety. I personally don't feel any anxiety or separation or anything like that. Ironically my boyfriend, I'm pretty sure, has borderline but he has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. He's actually the one that always accuses me of cheating and not wanting him and stuff. That hurts me at times. I know that bipolar and borderline are similar but the few things that distinguish borderline, I just don't think or feel that way. I really wish therapy was working because I hate medication but unfortunately it isn't for me.

Over all I'm a cognitive healthy person when I'm on meds but as soon as I go off the meds and I either go leaning on depression or usually more manic, I go a bit crazy.

Bipolar runs in my dads family where as personality disorders run on my moms. So it's interesting to look at that. No one on my moms side is borderline but there's a couple antisocial personality disorders on that side of the family.

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[RomanJames2014]

I also have a hard time because my therapist is currently free through my school.

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If it makes you feel any better, my old therapist refused to believe I had periods of depression. She said to me, "Nope, I don't see you as being bipolar. You don't get depression. You're just ADHD and frustrated." Meanwhile, I had constant thoughts of wanting to end my life and I had severe anhedonia.

I think some therapists try to play "doctor". They think because they see you all the time that they're qualified to make a diagnosis. While it's true they do have experience treating a variety of patients, it doesn't mean they're experienced in diagnosing people.

I solved the problem by getting a new therapist, one who listens to me and believes the bipolar diagnosis. My old therapist had a MA in Psychology, but my new therapist has a PhD and is a psychologist by training. Unlike her, he can technically make diagnoses, but he doesn't try to diagnose me. Instead, he talks to my pdoc any time he has concerns. They work together, and I think that's the key.

While it may cost you money to switch therapists, I think it might be worth it in this case if you can afford it!

[Ocean Swimmer]

Work on other things with your Theripist , especially if she's free thru your school.
See if she can teach you relaxation techniques.

Or resolve old hurts from the past you haven't fully processed. Stuff like that.

[Roaming_bird]

What helps me a great deal is that my therapist is also my psychiatrist.

I think a competent therapist would try and understand the role your bp has on your life, and help you cope with that. Other things too, but not undermine your doctor.

Therapists aren't trained specifically in medications. They can diagnose, but a doctor has far more education in this area.

Is there a way you can address it with him/her?

[whoknew005]

I would see a new therapist. This makes me angry. It's so disrespectful.

I think you are better off not seeing this therapist even if you can't afford someone else. Therapy is harmful to you in this case.