Questions: Bipolar version

Strawberry shortcake.

Do you lose or gain weight when you're manic?

Definitely lose

What was your FIRST thought when you were diagnosed

Makes sense.

What was the best session you had with your t?

Last fall I was in such bad shape I couldn't talk about anything anymore and yet desperately needed to talk. He started having me draw what I was feeling and finally I was letting him into my living hell a lot more and he was finally able to help some. The first session with a drawing made me feel so much more in touch with someone, anyone. That connection meant so much.

Does your therapist share about his/her life?

yes and I love it I asked him how he copes with his own struggles and I asked him what if any are the benefits of depression?

how do you increase your energy/get rid of fatigue?

Nuvigil . Trying to adjust doses on meds to help but after feeling great for a few weeks on the adjusted dose I'm not doing well this week. So we'll see. It's frustrating.

Do you contact your therapist out of session?

I have a few times when I felt like **** and really down.

What's the silliest exercise your t has had you do?

Once when I was feeling overwhelmed and was obsessing about something and also not sleeping (I was also manic at the time so had WAY too much energy) he told me that I would sleep better if I moved my bed across the room. This of course meant I had to move all the furniture in my bedroom which was a huge amount of effort and it wore me out, distracted me, and later made me laugh when I realized I'd been tricked into doing something different than obsessing. It did work though.

Do your therapist and pdoc communicate about you?

No, they don't. I tell my therapist when my psychiatrist makes a change in my meds.

Do you contact your therapist outside of your sessions?
(Stole the question)

No. If I need anything I schedule an extra appointment.

Do you see your therapist at a routine time or change every visit?

I have a recurring appointment every week. My therapist's schedule fills up really quickly - like two weeks in advance are solidly booked, and the third week out has only two or three open appointments. I have to have my recurring appointment so I can actually see him.

What was your best session you've had with your therapist?

(another stolen question you guys have such great ideas!)

I gave one answer but I'll give another......this time I'll use my pdoc.

I was hospitalized for a suicide plan a few years ago. Except that I didn't tell anyone I had a plan until I'd been IP for days. Which meant that I didn't tell my pdoc the truth and my pdoc can be pretty strict. I was terrified that she was going to be mad at me.

She was on call while I was there so she came to do her visit with me and instead of being mad she talked to me for a few minutes and then came and sat on my bed and held me while I cried for a long time.

It maybe wasn't the "best" session but it is one that I learned a lot from and that I am so glad went the opposite of how I thought it might.

Does your therapist or pdoc hug you?

My last therapist(and the best) did hug me after our sessions.

Does your family support you?

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Sometimes. I'd say my grandmother is the most supportive family member. Even when she does not agree with me on certain things, she's never judgmental, easy to talk to, and does not blab my business to other people in the family.

What's a guilty pleasure of yours that helps you cope with Bipolar symptoms/stress?

Chocolate.

Do you ever look for information on your therapist online?

Yes I do, but I never find anything interesting...

Name 3 things you like about yourself.

My smile
My eyebrows
My dimples

Question: Are support groups helpful?

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deffenetly.

question:

what is your current state?

Stable
Do you move a lot?

oh dear

i've learnt my lesson from that one.. i meant bipolar state

and no, i don't move around

what is the biggist hurdle you've had to overcome?

Denial (I still struggle slightly)

Favorite quality about your therapist?

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He believes in me even when I can't and he shows that he really cares.

How old were you when you first had therapy?

34

Saddest moment at t office?

When I talked about having sui thoughts all the time but could never ever take action

Worst Med you were ever prescribed?

Lamictal

Are you happy with your med regime?