I think my therapist understands me to a good degree, but not 100%. My psychiatrist, however... he doesn't really get it. He just asks me basic things like, "how are you doing" and "what are your stress levels like," and then he tries to move on to the next patient. He doesn't quite understand what I try to convey to him. He's just like, "oh, okay," and provides no comment. (Either that, or he doesn't care. It's hard to tell.)

[bpcyclist]

No therapist right now, but my psychiatrist gets me more than anyone other than you guys. He is the best.

[Blue_Bird]

I think mine do, I have a wonderful psychiatrist and therapist, have been seeing both of them for 4 years

My psychiatrist knows me very well, and knows his stuff in regards to his profession. As for really understanding how it feels to be mentally ill, beyond observation, I assume his knowledge is limited. He has always seemed a most stable kind of guy (save temper issues, which I also have). Beyond my mental illness, he also knows my personality well. That creates a bit of a bond. I totally adore him and I think he likes me pretty well, too. I am completely myself and open with him. I feel that my psychiatrist cares more than my own father...not that my father doesn't have love for me.

My therapist is getting to know me more and more. She also knows her profession well, but I'm unsure if she's ever experienced mental illness. As for understanding how I tick (personality), her knowledge is still slightly limited. I'll say that I've exposed my tender underbelly more to her than any other therapist, to date. That's a big deal for me.

My hubby and I know each other like the backs of our hands, and can pretty well predict each others thoughts/feelings. My husband knows depression and anxiety. He also grew up being exposed to many people with mental illness. He even has two siblings with bipolar disorder.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I think my t gets me. We’ve been through a lot.

My nurse practitioner definintely doesn't. I've only seen her like two or three times. My therapist doesn't have a good feel for me yet, but with a little bit of explaining she gets it more than anyone else.

[OliverB]

My therapist perfectly understood when I described him my abnormal moods. It was a "Yup, I know, I really really well know what are you talking about." And then directly asked me about how do I cope with some things related to the mood but that I haven't told him I was having problems with ( like having wonderful ideas that could make me overspend money).

[fern46]

My psychiatrists tell me over and over I'm atypical and to just keep doing what I'm doing. They admit there's nothing more they can do fot me at this point.

My therapist is a good sounding board, but I don't think she truly understands me. I don't truly understand all of me either. We're exploring it together.

[wildflowerchild25]

My therapist is great. I think she understands me. While I like my psychiatrist, I don’t like her lack of concern for some things. For instance, I came to her extremely suicidal two years ago and she just upped my lamictal and told me to “white knuckle” through it. Then couple of months ago I told her about the facial tic from haldol and she didn’t seem concerned at all. Well I am! It could become permanent!

[yellow_fleurs]

Not sure they get me 100%, but they sure do try to the point that I am quite impressed. If my therapist doesn't get something she asks me to clarify. My psychiatrist and the resident he works with tried so hard to get to the bottom of my symptoms and thoughts and whether or not I was having symptoms related to bipolar disorder I was just not self aware of. They are clearly very astute and I was surprised they said they could keep up with me when I apologized for rambling.

[Treyfrancis21]

100% for both of them. Therapist has been with me 4 years and she loves me and is amazingly helpful. We went through some dark **** and came out alive. Psych nurse practitioner helped with my diagnosis and has been in it with me for over 6 years now. She could not be a better fit. She allowed me to microdose mushrooms based on recent research and she is getting certified to administer ketamine after trying it herself. She is just a total badass and I couldn't be more pleased with her the treatment and levels of understanding from both.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I think my therapist understands me to a good degree, but not 100%. My psychiatrist, however... he doesn't really get it. He just asks me basic things like, "how are you doing" and "what are your stress levels like," and then he tries to move on to the next patient. He doesn't quite understand what I try to convey to him. He's just like, "oh, okay," and provides no comment. (Either that, or he doesn't care. It's hard to tell.)

That must be hard to deal with?

In certain situations, I am straight-forward, even more so as I age. In that situation, I do think I'd have to ask if he's interested or not. What's anyone got to lose by asking?

Love ya! :Love:

[Fuzzybear]

No. grrrrrrrr

[*Beth*]

I feel so, so fortunate...I worry sometimes that it will all fall apart. Both my pdoc and my therapist understand me very well. Both experienced, devoted, intuitive women at a clinic where I feel really comfortable.

[Rick7892]

I am glad that some people have a psychiatrist or therapist who understands them.

I live in a "rural" area (population 10,000, which I don't consider rural) and was in a county mental health system. I had 7 different medication managers (2 psychiatrists, 3 psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP), and two nurses) cycle through in 4.5 years! 2 of the PMHNP's were the best! The last medication manager was a psychiatrist, and he was so toxic that I complained about him. Presently, I am in a hospital system, where it took 5 months to get an assessment by a "mental health specialist" who sent a report to a psychiatrist who I did not choose, have not seen or talked to, and she sent what she recommended to my pcp, a physician's assistant, who told me what the psychiatrist said.... Unbelievable, I know. Now a different "mental health specialist" whom I never have seen and never was told about telephones me and asks questions about my mental health without even telling me who he is and then at the end asks if I have anything I would like to tell the psychiatrist..... He was upset that I was upset why a stranger (him) was calling me and asking me questions about my mental health!

My last therapist told me she couldn't do anything for me after I complained about the psychiatrist where she works.... I am leery of entire mental health system where I live.

But I am trying to remember the 2 PMHNP's and 3 therapists whom I had but are no longer here because they DID try to understand me. It helps me to cherish and remember good providers!

Presently, I am very grateful to come to this Bipolar Forum! You don't know me, but I think you know me far better than my providers.

[Wander]

Both my T and pdoc seem to 'get' me pretty well. My T has been working with me for almost 10 years so he knows me well. In some ways he knows me better than myself. He can spot an episode a mile away, and really seems to understand my trauma and the impact it has had on me. My pdoc has been working with me for three years. He, of course, doesn't know me as well as my T but he has worked hard to get to know me and understand my difficulties. His responses to all my troubles have shown he genuinely cares, and is very skilled. My T also cares a lot. This compassion and care make the world of difference.

[~Christina]

Yes very much so, I am very lucky but I will be losing them both soon I think , they are both at retirement age..I will quit T at that point but I fear who will be my new Pdoc. Will he be a pill Nazi ? I try to avoid thinking in a loop about that, it’s unhealthy for me.

[Pookyl]

My pdoc is excellent and understands me. She’s been my pdoc for over 5yrs since just before diagnosing me with bipolar.
I don’t have a T at the moment but most of my T’s in the past just haven’t ‘got’ it - which is why I don’t have a T.