[lucymae1]

After years of beating myself up because I could not do the things I use to do like work full time and living life like hiking, socializing, walking my dogs etc..

A few days ago I finally realized that I need to accept my limitations with my illness. I would feel so much guilt and shame if I could not even get into the shower, play or walk my dog, can't work or just want to sleep etc...

I was excited about this realization and told my therapist about my new found acceptance of myself. I was crushed when I felt invalidated by him. His thinking is I can get better with positive thinking. He told me when I get depressed, just tell the depression to go away and push through it.

After my session I was so shaken up I was literally shaking and had to call the crisis line. Again the next morning I woke up literally shaking and had to call the crisis line and had to get reassurance that my Bipolar symptoms are real and you can't just will it away.

I believe in positive affirmations and I'm doing all I can to the best of my ability to try to get well. All the doctors and therapist I've been too throughout the years have been very supportive.

After seeing my current therapist that day instead of learning more about Bipolar and symptoms like I've usually done I started going on web sites where people and doctors were saying Bipolar is just made up. It's an excuse to for our behaviors or moods. This has caused me to go into a crisis mode.

I feel better after talking to my doctors nurse and explaining to her what happened. I asked my therapist. So you think people with schizophrania and other mental disorders they can just get well with positive thinking? He just said I'm focusing on the diagnosis too much. He never gave me a clear answer about his opinion.

Here I was finally excepting my limitations so I would not beat myself up on a daily basis and I felt so invalidated. I don't want this disease. I would not wish it on anyone. I want to be like I use to be.

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Victoria'smom]

Can you find a new therapist? I found my therapist making my situation worse. So I stopped seeing her. I'm better off without her. Yes I need a therapist but I'm doing better on my own then I did with her.

[lucymae1]

I've slept most of the day. Can't seem to do anything but sleep and watch Netflix. It's like I feel frozen, like I can barely move. I need to wash my hair and I want to dye my hair. Why do I feel frozen??? Anyone ever feel like this???

[Merlin]

Can you find a therapist that specializes in Bipolar?

[franz kafka]

I agree with the others... if your therapist is making you feel invalidated, find a new one. Have you told him that's how his comment made you feel? It's possible he didn't mean it that way but it came out wrong.

[Unrigged64072835]

I wouldn't put up with that therapist. He should know better. It's not as easy as positive affirmations. If it were we'd all be cured by now.

Your sadness over your therapist's behavior may be getting you down physically. Just do what you can and call it a success.

[Tucson]

Either he did that to gauge your reaction or he made a real ignorant comment. Either way, he should of understood that his comment could make you feel invalidated. He should of handled this with you. So I think you should look for another therapist. Life is too short, so to speak, to be going to a thoughtless therapist.

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by lucymae1

After years of beating myself up because I could not do the things I use to do like work full time and living life like hiking, socializing, walking my dogs etc..

A few days ago I finally realized that I need to accept my limitations with my illness. I would feel so much guilt and shame if I could not even get into the shower, play or walk my dog, can't work or just want to sleep etc...

I was excited about this realization and told my therapist about my new found acceptance of myself. I was crushed when I felt invalidated by him. His thinking is I can get better with positive thinking. He told me when I get depressed, just tell the depression to go away and push through it.

After my session I was so shaken up I was literally shaking and had to call the crisis line. Again the next morning I woke up literally shaking and had to call the crisis line and had to get reassurance that my Bipolar symptoms are real and you can't just will it away.

I believe in positive affirmations and I'm doing all I can to the best of my ability to try to get well. All the doctors and therapist I've been too throughout the years have been very supportive.

After seeing my current therapist that day instead of learning more about Bipolar and symptoms like I've usually done I started going on web sites where people and doctors were saying Bipolar is just made up. It's an excuse to for our behaviors or moods. This has caused me to go into a crisis mode.

I feel better after talking to my doctors nurse and explaining to her what happened. I asked my therapist. So you think people with schizophrania and other mental disorders they can just get well with positive thinking? He just said I'm focusing on the diagnosis too much. He never gave me a clear answer about his opinion.

Here I was finally excepting my limitations so I would not beat myself up on a daily basis and I felt so invalidated. I don't want this disease. I would not wish it on anyone. I want to be like I use to be.

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.

-----OK, so we're bipolar. We still have strengths that can be developed. I have confusion instead of crying. I cant do math when having a bad episode. Nonetheless, I have 3 degrees including a Masters. I worked my whole life, pushing through (I was a single mother) and pretending all was OK. My family full of men who have never experienced this wish Id never talk about it. So I am building a circle of friends who understand.
Don't beat yourself up. Be kind to yourself. The bipolar workbook is great to help you think about what your triggers are and how you want to deal w them.
YOU decide on how you want to deal with this. Experiment, take small steps. Choose your path. That's the power we have regardless. Hugs!

[pirilin]

I refuse to accept anything. I don't have bipolar but MDD sometimes. Last time it lasted three years.