[Cocosurviving]

I use to go to therapy and it was ok. Then I lost my disability case. I went to my session right after and felt speechless. I was so depressed I felt like I had nothing to talk about. This was in July 2014.

Over the last two months I've been so stressed. I have so much on my mind and no one to share it with. I have no local friends and the friends I have out of state would not understand. They do not know what a racing thought is, why I deal with insomnia sometimes, or want to go on shopping sprees etc..Today I snapped at my neighbors's kids. I know they think I'm crazy. I'm trying really hard to move and I'm waiting to hear back. I'm just on edge. The weather is stressing me out too lol. I want it to get cold so these damn loud *** kids will want to be inside. When it's cold it's peaceful around my apartment area. I'm inside with bad nerves, anxiety and loud kids running around my yard!

Why do you go to therapy? Does it help? I have Medicare so my copay would be like $25 per visit. I would not be able to go every week because I have to pay bills and buy groceries

[JustJace2u]

I go because I feel it's a necessary evil for me personally. I don't feel as if I have anyone close enough I can talk to about what's going on with me without feeling as if I'm being judged.

[Moose72]

Last time I saw my T I couldn't think of anything to talk about so we called it quits for a while. I've been wondering when I should go back- or if I should. I seem to be able to go through things with my Pdoc just fine once a month.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Last time I saw my T I couldn't think of anything to talk about so we called it quits for a while. I've been wondering when I should go back- or if I should. I seem to be able to go through things with my Pdoc just fine once a month.

That's what I'm wondering.... Should I just suck it up and try to push through this stress period? Hopefully it won't last much much longer. It's been just me and my pdoc since July 2014.

[mindwrench]

I don't really know. I'm usually irritated and disappointed shortly after a session. I think some part of me wants to believe I'll have this magical epiphany some day that will change everything, but that's not realistic. I don't have anybody else in my life that will sit and listen to me for an hour. It's only $6 on the sliding scale and I would just spend that somewhere else anyway. Now that I think about it I could get 4 energy drinks for that, or two energy drinks and two Mcchickens. Hmm, I've got some thinking to do.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

That's what I'm wondering.... Should I just suck it up and try to push through this stress period? Hopefully it won't last much much longer. It's been just me and my pdoc since July 2014.

Pdocs are all about med changes not therapy, but you still can get a few tidbits out during a session. They won't make you delve into the inner recesses of your soul.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by mindwrench

I don't really know. I'm usually irritated and disappointed shortly after a session. I think some part of me wants to believe I'll have this magical epiphany some day that will change everything, but that's not realistic. I don't have anybody else in my life that will sit and listen to me for an hour. It's only $6 on the sliding scale and I would just spend that somewhere else anyway. Now that I think about it I could get 4 energy drinks for that, or two energy drinks and two Mcchickens. Hmm, I've got some thinking to do.

hahaha You said McChickens

Therapy has helped to educate me on emotional mind and logical mind, emotional regulation, figuring out my fight or flight responses, my paralyzing anxiety and agoraphobia, and more than anything validate all the BS I've been through in my life that I can't control. The validation and the education is the best part of therapy. I hate driving there and parking. That is the worst part. The other thing I don't like is an hour flies by in a flash because I don't stop talking long enough to take a breath and let my therapist get a word in edgewise. About 3 out of 4 of the times we meet per month (ever week) she gets that education and validation in.
Therapy also makes it better in the relationships I have to not have to use friends or aquaintences as therapists. I have a therapist for that. I don't have to lay that on people.
Therapy is such a blessing in my life, and finding this therapist who finally gets me and I agree with her philosophy is also a miracle.

[PenguinExMachina]

I like having someone to talk to, that knows what is going on. Someone that has that experience and can give me those coping mechanism, tips for healing, ideas, tell me what's going on in my brain, etc. I like that I can basically unload on this person and not have to worry about judgments or their personal history with me. They aren't a family member or a friend. I can go on about how I am feeling and they won't come back with, "yeah, like that time you did this..." or tell me that I am overreacting, or anything like that. Which is nice.
It just sucks that I have to pay for it.

[jtassar93]

I go because my mom forces me to haha. It does have its times where it's been helpful. She helps me deal with things like my auditory and visual hallucinations, talks me out of suicidal thoughts if they're benign enough. Helps with my dissociation. And she's also been helping me get into school and try for my license (I'm 23..just a bit behind)

[annielovesbacon]

There are a lot of reasons I go to therapy. I find it very helpful. For one, my therapist is an outside viewer who can help me sort out what's "me" and what's bipolar, which is something I struggle with. She also helps me identify my own behaviors that may be contributing to my depression (or hypomania) and helps me change them in a positive way. She's also really great just to talk to when I'm feeling stressed, she's logical and good at being objective.

I go every other week. Sometimes I wish I could go every week because I feel like I have so much to talk about, but I think going every week would make me too dependent on therapy and I don't want that.

I think it would be a good idea for you to maybe try it out again! You don't have to make a committment to anyone.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

There are a lot of reasons I go to therapy. I find it very helpful. For one, my therapist is an outside viewer who can help me sort out what's "me" and what's bipolar, which is something I struggle with. She also helps me identify my own behaviors that may be contributing to my depression (or hypomania) and helps me change them in a positive way. She's also really great just to talk to when I'm feeling stressed, she's logical and good at being objective.

I go every other week. Sometimes I wish I could go every week because I feel like I have so much to talk about, but I think going every week would make me too dependent on therapy and I don't want that.

I think it would be a good idea for you to maybe try it out again! You don't have to make a committment to anyone.

You raise a good point. I don't have to make a commitment. I could just try it out and see

[Unrigged64072835]

The main reason I go i that my pdoc's office strongly recommends it (can't say requires it but they kind of look you weird if you don't).

I do find some use from my therapist, though. We've seen each other once a week for five years, and in that time he's validated my feelings (something I didn't have until a few years ago). He also provides worksheets and works with me when I have crises. So it's not all bad. Right now we seem to be in a slump but I'm sure things will pick up here soon with the holidays and what not.

[bioChE]

I've gone to therapists in the past, and found it moderately helpful. In the end however, every one got to the point of, "Don't be so hard on yourself."

When that was the only advice for months on end, I eventually fired them. I don't see one now, and don't really feel a need to.

[OctobersBlackRose]

I go to help with my depression and anxiety, and some.of my other bp symptoms. I'm in a DBT program, and it includes once a week group skills class and once a.week individual therapy. I started back in March and will be finished next June and will continue with individual after that if I still qualify, and maybe another support group as well. Everyone is saying DBT should work on me, I guess we'll wait and see. But I do like it so there's that.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by OctobersBlackRose

I go to help with my depression and anxiety, and some.of my other bp symptoms. I'm in a DBT program, and it includes once a week group skills class and once a.week individual therapy. I started back in March and will be finished next June and will continue with individual after that if I still qualify, and maybe another support group as well. Everyone is saying DBT should work on me, I guess we'll wait and see. But I do like it so there's that.

I've heard of DBT...good things from some people

In the past I went because I was told I need it. Now I WANT to go because "I" think I need it. I'm really not sure exactly what I expect to get out of it other than become more mentally healthy so I can achieve my goals.

[BipolaRNurse]

I miss my therapist. She was so good at planting little seeds of wisdom that I continue to use as things arise. But by the time she left my clinic, I'd kind of run out of issues to talk about so I haven't sought out any other therapy. My only real concern right now is grief over the loss of my spouse, and I have my hospice grief counselor to help me with that. She also makes house calls.

[wildflowerchild25]

I go for grief counseling. I'm doing well right now so I don't think I need to see her every week but that's what she does so I'll continue for now. When I was depressed she helped me find ways to cope with it. I love her, she's great.

I think therapy is a good place to be able to talk about anything and not be judged. It's also a necessity I feel if you have some sort of past trauma or issues from childhood and things like that.

[Cdnstargazer]

I used to go every week. I found it helpful. Then I thought I didn't need it and was lost in the mental health system again.

Then life struggles ensued and my mental health worsened. The drug addiction didn't help... then I was hospitalized with bpd and psychosis. I started DBT after my BPD diagnosis. That helped a bit.... until I stopped going. Then my meds were changed and I became manic. Hospitalized again.

So I resign that I may need therapy long term. And I am finally ok with that. It's good to have a neutral party set on helping you be mentally well. I love my current counselor so much. She's gentle and helps me determine symptoms of my mental illnesses and parts of me. I also discuss relationships, coping skills etc. I can ask any questions and she doesn't bat and eye. Sometimes we laugh at the silly things I've said or done and she's just an all around good human being.

I consider her important for my wellbeing. I look forward to our Apts which are every 2 weeks to monthly depending on my work schedule and her calender spots.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by Cdnstargazer

I used to go every week. I found it helpful. Then I thought I didn't need it and was lost in the mental health system again.

Then life struggles ensued and my mental health worsened. The drug addiction didn't help... then I was hospitalized with bpd and psychosis. I started DBT after my BPD diagnosis. That helped a bit.... until I stopped going. Then my meds were changed and I became manic. Hospitalized again.

So I resign that I may need therapy long term. And I am finally ok with that. It's good to have a neutral party set on helping you be mentally well. I love my current counselor so much. She's gentle and helps me determine symptoms of my mental illnesses and parts of me. I also discuss relationships, coping skills etc. I can ask any questions and she doesn't bat and eye. Sometimes we laugh at the silly things I've said or done and she's just an all around good human being.

I consider her important for my wellbeing. I look forward to our Apts which are every 2 weeks to monthly depending on my work schedule and her calender spots.

Thank you for your reply and sharing what you did. What you mentioned I could possibly do...monthly! I'm about to be on a really strict budget and will not be able to afford copays on a lot of visits

[Row Jimmy]

I go to therapy to keep myself disciplined. For me, it's like a 12 Step program because I'd probably go off the rails if I just decided to go on my own. I know myself well. Therapy keeps me in the game.

1. It really helped to have that objective set of eyes on me on a regular basis. My therapist was my reality check and helped monitor my symptoms so that I was able to reach out to my pdoc at the earliest sign of problems rather than those symptoms being allowed to get too far along.

2. I also have PTSD, and the history and issues associated with that absolutely required a great deal of therapy work. Honestly, the PTSD-related problems caused me far more problems than my bipolar symptoms. Once I had worked through my PTSD issues, the bipolar issues remaining have been entirely manageable.

[Cdnstargazer]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

Thank you for your reply and sharing what you did. What you mentioned I could possibly do...monthly! I'm about to be on a really strict budget and will not be able to afford copays on a lot of visits

It's really been helpful. I don't think medication on its own is good for homeostasis. Therapy + meds seems to be working for me. Good luck.