Bipolar and need some advice/help

I posted in the psychotherapy thread but thought I would ask here too... hope it's okay. I am bipolar 2, and have been struggling a bit. In my appt with my therapist we discussed how i'm feeling and i talked about suicide. Not that it is imminent or i am in danger I have always had those thoughts for over 30 yrs, but that's how she took it... .so since seeing her i've been dealing with major anxiety. She said she wanted to admit me to a hospital and I was just baffled. Now the situation is that she wants me to go to an IOP and i've refused. I don't need it, am not suicidal. I've been to an iop years ago. I know what it entails. Anyway, Can anyone give me their opinion on how I should handle my appointment with my Psychiatrist that is coming up on Monday? I am so afraid to go because my psychologist has given me the impression that since I am not following her suggestion/request/demand?? that I go to an IOP that she may need to force me to do something. They are in the same office. How concerned should I be about just going to get my meds refilled? Can he do anything at her recommendation? I am really thinking about just canceling the appt since I have enough meds til mid Feb. Then either look for a new psychiatrist or ?? I am really really worrying... she has made my anxiety so much worse than it's been for a long time. Should I tell the psychiatrist why I am canceling? Feeling that I am being treated unfairly and just want to avoid more anxiety and paranoia about this situation. Help!

Can you just talk to your psychiatrist? I would talk to your therapist about her over reaction or change your therapist. If you're having a hard time your meds may need to be changed.

Alas, if we mention suicide, then they want to get us help. Maybe you can reassure her that you're not a danger to yourself. And talk about things you're planning on doing in the near and later future or some such.

I know that my therapist has a responsibility to make sure that I am okay. I explained to her that I felt I am fine, and that it's not necessary for me to go to the IOP. She just doesn't want to hear it. I responded to her email a couple of days ago and told her that I am not going to the IOP, that I am fine, and will talk to my psychiatrist about meds next week... I didn't hear back from her. I am just concerned, because my anxiety is getting the best of me that since they have discussed this that when I see him he is going to also try to force me to go somewhere. At this point I don't know how I will get there, and she isn't going to reply to me.

Thanks for the reply. At this point my anxiety is getting the best of me over the whole situation. I haven't heard from her since I told her I'm not going to the IOP. I told her that I want to talk to my psychiatrist about meds. The situation i'm in now is that I am afraid to go since I know they have discussed things. Can he force me to go somewhere? At the moment I am thinking of just canceling me appointment.

Can he force me to go somewhere? I've always been asked to voluntarily go. It's a hard process for them but they will do it if they feel they need to. Not going can end up with a wellness check and you may need your medication adjusted anyway.

I think your pdoc would evaluate you himself before doing anything; though he might consider your T’s opinion, he would make his own choice.

if it is true, tell him you have no plan and no intention to hurt yourself . . . words carry quite a bit of power , , , I misspoke and was taken to the psych ward by the police , , , yes they can do that . . . if you make sense and am rational I dought you will have any trouble , , , but if you are under that much stress maybe you should consider help . . . either way I would keep my pdoc appt and just be completely honest with him . . . sometimes we need more help than we realize . . .

wishing you find peace thru this . . . . Tigger

Unless your state gas some really bizarre laws, there is no way anyone can force you into IOP. They can force you into the hospital, if certain conditions are met, which they are obviously currently not. So, I would try to relax a bit. And talk to your shrink about it.

I agree with bpcyclist.

It would be wise to speak with your pdoc about the extreme anxiety you're feeling. Assure him that you are not suicidal. Let him know of your feelings and thoughts about your fear of being forced to go IOP, and be firm about not wanting to go. You can do it. Don't cancel.

People with Bipolar often things about “ suicide” it’s not always a emergency.. I think of it often I have “no “plan or intent. My Therapist doesn’t panic over it.

The closest IOP for me is almost 100 miles away, so that’s never an option.

Just talk to your Pdoc.. I’d make sure to stress that your anxiety is really s problem. Very possible a Med tweak or change will help.

If a T or Pdoc truly feels your a danger to yourself they can “ ask you” to IP you of course can refuse but they can get the police involved. But that’s for IP (in patient psych ward) I do not think they can force you to do IOP.

Just talk to your Pdoc, you might decide to find a new T

My plan right now is to go in on monday and talk to my Pdoc and talk about the anxiety and need to get more/better sleep. I'm sure that would be a big help. Not having dealt with a situation like this in the 30 years i've been seeing DR's it really has done a job on my anxiety... so I will hope for the best and see what happens. Thank you!