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Default Sep 11, 2019 at 04:12 PM
  #1
A lot of medications have been mentioned in this "Bipolar Treatments" sub-forum, and also ECT. But I noticed that therapy, as a bipolar treatment, was missing.

For me, psychotherapy, when added to medications, has been very beneficial in various ways. I don't think that medications alone would have really done the full job in getting me to where I am now. I know that there are many options in psychotherapy that are helpful for people with bipolar disorder. Has therapy made a positive difference for you? If so, in what ways and what type of therapy/approach has been most helpful?

I guess I've had some rather nondescript types of therapy (just talking, really, with no real direction), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), a little DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and a more brain and attachment-based therapy. I found the last three types most helpful, and with that variety, I've benefited more fully, than I otherwise might have. I must say that "therapy and me" were not a happy pair, in the beginning. I was quite resistant to it, in my earlier days. I also had some difficulties finding the right therapists for the job. It's a long story, but I went from therapy hater to therapy lover.

The following issues tend(ed) to trigger my episodes:

* Stress (good or bad)
* Anxiety
* Hormonal stuff
* Seasonal changes
* Unhealthy living (from alcohol consumption to poor eating, etc.)
* And sometimes who in the heck knows!

Challenging dysfunctional thinking, self-checks, use of coping tools, improved self-care, deliberate stress reduction or preparations, stress coping game plans, putting together a strong mental health support network, vigilance when first symptoms are detected, and so many other strategies have helped me. I learned most from my many therapists and psychiatrist.

A few years back, I was lucky to have access to a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action program). It provided several tools for a wellness toolbox for earliest symptoms to crisis situations. Having all of the above things "in the ready" has been crucial in keeping me out of the hospital, able to function well longer, and in some cases, even reduce my medication cocktail.

Last edited by Anonymous46341; Sep 11, 2019 at 04:35 PM..
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Default Sep 11, 2019 at 04:19 PM
  #2
Therapy has been really useful for nipping depression in the bud....basically I learned a self care technique as part of cbt and it works well for me. You pick three things you enjoy that act on three different senses and do them all at once. So enjoy a spoonful of ice cream while rocking out to some music and reading or whatever three things you’d like.

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Default Sep 11, 2019 at 05:41 PM
  #3
I see a therapist and have been for years. it's helped teach me how to handle stress in the best ways I am capable of and ways to cope with different things going on with symptoms and in life. It's taught me that it's okay to ask for help and that it's good to talk to someone. I've also learned ways to reality check with psychosis and good self care ideas.

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Default Sep 12, 2019 at 05:15 AM
  #4
Excellent post, Birdie

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Default Sep 12, 2019 at 07:39 PM
  #5
Therapy has been really good for me. I started in group therapy. It helped me feel like I wasn't alone. I felt like nobody in my immediate circle of friends and family truly understood what I was going through, but a group of strangers got it completely. They didn't judge and they helped me remember some of my good qualities when I was feeling really horrible about myself. They saw me when I couldn't.

I started CBT a month or so later and I've stuck with it ever since. I researched a lot of the coping skills I use on my own, but it was helpful to have a professional to talk things over with. I liked getting the opinion of someone who has worked with a range of patients and issues. It was also helpful to include my husband in some of our sessions. He needed reassurance that I was progressing as well as a professional opinion of the safety plans I created. I spend a lot of time discussing ways to make peace with all that has happened. My therapist has helped me find my way to forgiveness and acceptance on a number of fronts.

My therapist has also been helpful in supporting me through a couple of med changes. I like having an extra set of eyes on things as I only ever spend a few minutes at a time with my pdoc.
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Default Sep 12, 2019 at 07:57 PM
  #6
It's hard for me to separate out the therapy that helped with the PTSD from that which helped with the BP. But it was definitely helpful to get all the tools I received from T. It was helpful to have a place to go weekly where a neutral person could observe my moods and help me learn to recognize when I started flying or sinking.

Years ago when I was first diganoised what was then called the depression, manic depressive association ( now known as DBSA) was an invaluable sorce of tools. People in the trenches who got it, who could speak from the heart. Like fern said you know you are not alone.

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Default Sep 13, 2019 at 02:21 AM
  #7
Therapist has been just as important as Meds for me.

My T has saved my life many times more than meds have. He’s kept me safe while meds took the time needed to start helping. He’s gotten me into IP quickly when need be.

When my T of over 8 years retires Im going to be done with Therapy tho

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Default Sep 13, 2019 at 07:05 PM
  #8
Invaluable. I've learned coping skills, get reminders to use them and when to use which, am monitored for any changes I don't see myself and I know I have someone on my side every week. My therapist helps communicate with my pdoc if I'm between pdoc appointments and need to try to communicate via email when I'm not well enough to make sense. He knows me better than just about anyone (if not anyone) and I get as much benefit from him as from meds, just as ~Christina said.

My pdoc requires me to be in therapy and I completely understand why. She sees me the unusual amount of 60plus minutes monthly but it's not the same or as much as would come from therapy.

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Default Sep 13, 2019 at 07:47 PM
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I've never had a good therapist. Everyone says it's so helpful but I've always found it a waste of time and money.
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Default Sep 13, 2019 at 08:58 PM
  #10
Sorry Spikes. Good therapists are amazing and bad ones are truly horrible. I've had both but landed with a good one and have been with him for 14 years which really helps as our relationship is solid at this point. I've had others I only went to once or a few times and a few of them were so bad I couldn't believe they were allowed to be therapists at all.

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Default Sep 25, 2019 at 07:50 AM
  #11
Therapy has been extremely helpful for me as well, in combination with meds. Recently, I've been getting into ACT. I've also done some CBT and DBT. Invaluable in combating depression. I'm pretty sure everything goes out the window when I'm manic enough, but during hypomania I'm able to manage things better due to therapy.

However, my current therapist is worried about me becoming dependent on therapy and has reduced my appointments to once monthly. This has been a struggle for me. I can see what she is talking about since I have been in therapy continuously for 7 years, but I sure feel like I need it.

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Default Sep 25, 2019 at 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by unicornlady View Post
However, my current therapist is worried about me becoming dependent on therapy and has reduced my appointments to once monthly. This has been a struggle for me. I can see what she is talking about since I have been in therapy continuously for 7 years, but I sure feel like I need it.
unicornlady, I have to say that what your therapist said sounds very strange to me. I've been in therapy for 13 years and no one ever said that to me. Of course I am still on disability, but I can't even imagine going any less than every 3 weeks, preferably every 2 minimum, even if everything is going great. Ultimately I think it should be up to you.

If you feel you need more therapeutic support beyond once monthly, you might speak up about it or even seek a new therapist for a "fresh perspective". Have you been seeing your current therapist for most or all of the 7 years you mentioned? I imagine some therapists simply run out of ideas for how to support certain clients. That doesn't mean the client is too well or too sick. This "fresh perspective" I mentioned can be very valuable at times. We are not married to our therapists. Though marriages can sometimes grow stale, therapeutic relationships should not, in my view. Though I have benefited from some longer-term therapy relationships, when I have had to change I found the change offered new benefits. Sometimes it works the same with psychiatrists, though I don't think as much, for various reasons.
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Default Sep 25, 2019 at 08:41 AM
  #13
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unicornlady, I have to say that what your therapist said sounds very strange to me. I've been in therapy for 13 years and no one ever said that to me. Of course I am still on disability, but I can't even imagine going any less than every 3 weeks, preferably every 2 minimum, even if everything is going great. Ultimately I think it should be up to you.


If you feel you need more therapeutic support beyond once monthly, you might speak up about it or even seek a new therapist for a "fresh perspective". Have you been seeing your current therapist for most or all of the 7 years you mentioned? I imagine some therapists simply run out of ideas for how to support certain clients. That doesn't mean the client is too well or too sick. This "fresh perspective" I mentioned can be very valuable at times. We are not married to our therapists.
That makes me feel better...

My mental health provider place has a problem with high turnover of therapists, but I get to stay with my pdoc that I like and keep a treatment team that makes sense for me.

This "dependency on therapy" thing is something that both my last therapist and current therapist have been concerned about. I wonder if they're trying to manage their workload? or maybe there really is a concern? Certainly not them running out of ideas because the last 2 therapists only span the last year for me.

I will try bringing up that I feel like I need more support, because you're right, it should be up to me.

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Default Sep 25, 2019 at 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by unicornlady View Post
This "dependency on therapy" thing is something that both my last therapist and current therapist have been concerned about. I wonder if they're trying to manage their workload? or maybe there really is a concern? ...I will try bringing up that I feel like I need more support, because you're right, it should be up to me.
If their workload is the primary cause for their reduction suggestion, I see that as downright awful!

If you feel you want more therapeutic support, please voice that. If the therapists are affiliated with the same group as your psychiatrist, maybe mention your concerns to your psychiatrist. I can't imagine how two therapists in one year could possibly be certain you have exhausted benefit from therapy. Just my opinion!
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Default Sep 25, 2019 at 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by BirdDancer View Post

If you feel you want more therapeutic support, please voice that. If the therapists are affiliated with the same group as your psychiatrist, maybe mention your concerns to your psychiatrist.
In between those therapists, they actually stopped my therapy - my psychiatrist is the one who put in the recommendation to restart. She is totally supportive of me staying in therapy. I think I just need to advocate for myself in this situation.

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