[dreamrunner]

Hi all.....got a question for ya.
Recently,I was on a bipolar support website created by a man, David Oliver,who said that therapy can actually aggravate BP.Now he didnt say how this happens,he has a number of "support courses"some of which cost $.
I dont know how valid this claim is?
My pdoc strongly recommends me in Therapy and Im bp.
I can say however, that I am strongly affected by therapy before and after sessions.I always attributed it to anxiety.

Any thoughts?

HHmm.

[Perna]

Who is David Oliver? Looking at one guy on the Internet versus a "known" psychiatrist who has treated X patients, has MD degree and licenses, can be talked to in-person and what he says/suggests gotten second opinions on, etc. I'd go with the psychiatrist unless I could find out much more both about Oliver and his "opinion". Your psychiatrist isn't in business on the Internet to make money from his opinions. Mr. Oliver hasn't shown/proven he's anything else?

i don't think there is any "rule"" out there saying therapy is bad for BP in particular... although i am sure there are people who feel that... just like there are people who think all therapy is a crock. i do know that there seems to be a belief in the lack of effectiveness of traditional therapies for personality disorders... not that it shouldn't happen, but the effectiveness seems to be lower than desired.

My pdoc...practicing for decades and really seen as the "go to" guy for BP in my area.. he seems to think it depends on the patient and where they are at. He used to tell me i wouldn't make a good therapy patient, then i changed a lot and he said he felt i would benefit from long termtherapy.

As far as aggravating your symptoms.... well, are you stable? On meds and doing ok? If yes, then you're right, it's probably anxiety and turmoil from the stuff brought up... and that affects even no-bp's..i mean, read the posts here... everyone gets stirred up. But for some bpers that turmoil just might trigger symptoms as a defense response... an old pattern. My pdoc once said i was experiencing situational hypomania... ie the same symptoms but not due to a nothing-going-on chemical rxn.

only you can say. You have to weigh the benefits vs the risk with your symptoms. Talk to your T and pdoc. But personally, i am severely BPII, rapid cycling with chronic instability and i am sticking to therapy if it kills me because meds can only do so much, just like therapy can only do so much... i need both.

[sunrise]

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I was on a bipolar support website created by a man, David Oliver, who said that therapy can actually aggravate BP

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Therapy can aggravate a lot of things. That's not necessarily bad and doesn't mean one shouldn't do therapy.

I think each person, no matter if they are bipolar or some other condition, should ask themselves whether therapy is helping them and make the decision based on that, rather than give undue weight to a blanket statement from an Internet person. Also, consult with your therapist on whether he thinks therapy is helping you. A good therapist will be honest with you.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I am strongly affected by therapy before and after sessions

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I think that is a very good sign. Therapy can be hard and should affect us. If you are affected, it shows, at the very least, that therapy is important to you.

Good luck.

[dreamrunner]

Thanks all !
I dont plan to quit therapy anytime too soon.
Great feedback!