Therapy has helped me... somewhat.

I find that I can't really control myself when I'm manic or experiencing psychosis. I've tried grounding techniques, but they don't really help me. I'm usually in a chaotic state of mind and can't think straight.

Depression wise, though... My therapist gave me great ideas for how to cope with feeling unmotivated, hopeless, etc.. They help a lot when I push myself to do them. For example, stay out of bed, sleep a normal amount (rather than sleeping too much), etc..

My therapist has me make a mood chart and we use it in a special way -- I note any any patterns I see and try to correlate them to hormone cycles (not only women have hormone fluctuations). We try to use them in conjunction with events in my life to determine if my response is maybe oversensitive/heightened or desensitized/lowered and how it plays a part in my actions. It also helps remind me that what I am feeling is not permanent and eventually will change, one way or the other. I think it helps a lot for me to see something that reflects that. It helps me better recognize WHAT I am feeling, and how I should react.

[~Christina]

Richard has help me wade through a lifetime of Bipolar that I didn’t know I had , I thought everyone had a loud racing mind. I am a csa and rape survivor. Through therapy a lot of things we uncovered and he helped me through it all.

He’s the only person for me in real life face to face that I can just say exactly what I think and feel.

I dread the day he decides to retire , he has no plans too , he’s 72 but he might start waking up daily and decide he wants to go fishing instead of his office.

For me I know for a fact if I had not complained about the Therapist I first saw.. she was useless, he at the time was the administrator and saw me and we started working together, if it wasn’t for him I would have taken myself out 8 years ago and dozens of times since then.

Just gotta say my motto .... if Therapy isn’t hard your not doing it right

[Blue_Bird]

Yes therapy has helped me cope with my moods. I have learned a tremendous amount of coping skills and techniques over the years and I also have learned things that may contribute or make an incoming episode worse. Things I can do to take the edge of an episode and warning signs to be aware of when moods are getting out of control and I need help. mindfulness has been extremely helpful as well

[fern46]

Therpay has given me a safe space to fully be me when me wasn't very popular. Therapy has reminded me to challenge myself when I felt like acceptance was enough. Therapy hasn't always helped, but I am grateful for the times it has. Therapy isn't a magic pill, but it helps me to frame my plans and make sure they are strategically sound.

[Sometimes psychotic]

As far as the psychosis it helped me normalize like I’m still an ok person because that’s not what I was thinking...I had a huge self stigma. It didn’t really help me recognize the psychosis though only meds helped with that. For me I don’t recognize mania until psychosis because it’s work oriented up until and even past that point.

As far as depression it seems to work great, I get minor dips and can get myself out of them before they become severe. Self care is most effective for me. As in do three fun things with three different senses all at once. Turn on the Christmas music with faux fire and eat or drink something comforting, for example. Basically I learned this technique from my cbt therapist, she was like if one thing is good do two....I upped it three because it works better.

[*Beth*]

Yes, therapy is helping me cope with moods. Knowing that there is someone I'm deeply connected to who will hear me...listen to me... with the sole agenda being my own well-being
is tremendously strengthening.

I went into therapy because I couldn't do the whole life thing - moods and all else - alone anymore. So bit by bit I really am becoming more capable of learning what my moods are about, recognizing them, how to take care of myself and knowing I have the right to do so. Sounds simple, but it's taken a lot of faith, hope, and practice to say "yes" when I mean it - and to say "no" when I mean it.

As I practice taking care of myself I feel so much more in control; of my moods.

I think that knowing there's someone who is willing to listen to me, willing to understand me, and is interested in helping me to discover "tools" to use is giving me, more and more, the strength and ability to cope.

But.
I have a long way to go before I will be able to feel that I am in control of my mood states and reactions. So I keep working at it as hard as I can - and stay on the medication I need to keep me functioning.

This is a major question. I'll provide just a few of many brief ways:

1. Improving insight into the illness (recognizing symptoms easier/quicker)

2. Challenging dysfunctional thinking (this includes many things).

3. Action planning on how to cut episodes short.

4. Recognizing triggers, preventing/avoiding them, and/or preparing/managing them.

5. Learning to forgive self and others.

6. Making life choices that help ensure wellness (includes a lot).

7. Acceptance and stigma fighting.

8. Accumulating a whole toolbox of coping techniques and working to master them.

9. Processing... processing... processing. There's a lot to this!

10. I can't stop at nine. A therapist is a great emotional support and general advice giver. The more support, the higher chance of wellness.

[Nammu]

Yes therapy helped but it wasn't quick, it was a process. What helped too was section 8. Having a safe and stable base.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Yes therapy helped but it wasn't quick, it was a process. What helped too was section 8. Having a safe and stable base.

Excellent point! Being able to feel safe and secure financially (knowing that you have basic survival needs met) is essential to mood stability. That's for sure.

[daladico]

Somewhat. I still have my moods & struggle to cope with them. But therapy has taught me to reach out for help when I need it, which has made a difference. And I feel very supported from my treatment team. CBT has actually made my symptoms worse (it makes my mind wander deeper into anxiety) so I’m looking for another type of therapy (but love my therapist!)

[HALLIEBETH87]

Yes. Yes. Yes!

I trust Matt with most everything. We’ve never discussed a few things but that’s mostly cause it’s awkward for me...

He has helped me SO much to recognize signs of psychosis and how to get through it without going ip. Equally-my pdoc is amazing. I dread the day he retires cause he truly knows his stuff! He also knows me really well and how I am when at baseline. I owe him a lifetime of gratitude.

[yellow_fleurs]

I think it helps me be more self aware and have someone to spring my thoughts off of and realize possible cognitive distortions. So, that's helpful because I might catch my moods when the are shifting, sooner. It also helps me to be more aware of the fact that I have OCD, because that affects my moods and I need to address it. It hasn't really done much directly for improving my moods, though. Like I think I am just as likely to get depressed as I was before and my depression cycles with things like seasons, which other than behavioral things like light therapy and exercise, I don't find much helps.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I should also say I’m SO thankful for my previous t. We are friends now and see each other sometimes for lunch. She helped me find myself again when I felt so far gone. We had lunch yesterday and got all caught up. I miss her in t because she really brought positivity into my life when it was seriously lacking. But I’m glad we’re friends now

[Sunflower123]

Traditional therapy was partially successful in helping me handle anxiety and depression. I am experimenting with other modalities.