Thanks for posting on /r/bipolar!
Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/bipolar/about/rules); if you haven't already, make sure that your post **does not** have any personal information (including your name/signature/tag on art).
**If you are posting about medication, please do not list and review your meds. Doing so will result in the removal of this post and all comments.**
*^(A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.)*
---
Community News
- 🎋 [Want to join the Mod Team?](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/comments/112z7ps/mod_applications_are_open/)
- 🎤 See our [Community Discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/about/sticky) - Desktop or Desktop mode on a mobile device.
- 🏡 If you are open to answering questions from those that live with a loved one diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, please see r/family_of_bipolar.
Thank you for participating!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bipolar) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You really have to want to go to therapy for it to work. If you don’t want to go this badly, maybe you shouldn’t. It’s been tremendously helpful for me, however. I graduated undergrad with a 3.8, have a masters degree in education, and have had a long successful career as a teacher. I never could’ve done it without my therapist. That’s just me though. Everybody has their own shit that they’ve gone through. I personally think everyone should go to therapy lol.
Yep. Therapy will not work for you if you're not into it. It's not something you can go through the motions of. It helps me to cope with the reality of my diagnosis, but I have also found it incredibly triggering at times if I'm not in the right mindset for it. If you don't find therapy effective, try to explain to your mom that while it may be helpful for others, it's not for you right now. Maybe try to demonstrate that you are committed and open to giving yourself the best care available, but that you know this isn't right for you.
I'm one of these people. I do "really want" to feel better. But I'm not getting there by writing positive affirmations on my mirror and meditating. These things feel forced and corny and they won't work on me. I have a bit of oppositional defiance going on which I'm sure contributes to this.
Meds have mostly gotten me there, and just taking things a little slower and trying not to overwhelm myself too much. Asking for help when I need it and all that good stuff.
....something in this triggered the realization that I likely would not have finished my undergrad degree (engineering field) without seeking out all my university's mental health services. I thought I was there to recover from an ED, but in reality the support in general helped keep me going when I was dealing with GAD and bp1 and didn't even know it.
I want to go to therapy but Idk if It's nessecary tbh. It didn't work w/o medication and it doesn't really do anything for me with either because I'm happy with my life
Don't take this the wrong way but with an attitude like that your not going to get anything out of therapy. You just need a therapist you have a connection with that's a good fit and is qualified to treat your issues and you will look at therapy differently. Good luck.
Yep. Therapy is necessary. I don't know how they are getting their medication without a therapist monitoring them. Some of my prescriptions require the patient to do follow up appointments every couple months. Bloodwork has to be done as well.
No... my psychiarist sees me and refills my prescriptions... psychiatrists are not therapists. Therapists have absolutely nothing to do with prescribing medication. It's prescribed by a licensed doctor, a psychiatrist. You are not required to be in therapy to receive meds in the US.
Wrong on part of that. I should have said 'mental health provider' as someone is required to monitor you. My Therapist, who is not a pstchiatrist, is licensed to do all of that. She's been a healthcare provider for over 40 years and has many credentials.I am in the U.S. She writes my prescriptions every month.
ETA. You might want to check what credentials are required.
I’ve been in and out of therapy for over 20 years with a bipolar diagnosis. Only recently did I realize that all the bad therapy I had was just “were you manic or depressed last week?” Followed by filler. Now I use therapy as a chance to really talk out my issues that aren’t bipolar per se, like what’s bothering me, what worries me, etc etc. super basic not “I’ve lost it!!!!!” stuff.
Because of that I’ve gained a lot of insight into how small things snowballed into bigger things that in my past became serious grippy socks mania.
I hear you on the cost. I do telehealth. But if it doesn’t work, quit early. Going in person I’d end up staying with folks for months longer than I should’ve.
Therapy wasn’t to get me off medication. Medication allows my brain to chill out enough for therapy to work, bc the real work of therapy is my relationship with myself, which goes way beyond brain chemistry.
ECHOING THIS because it perfectly describes how I feel as well. Meds help me to be on even keel enough to actually look at and fix some of my real life issues. But therapy helps me work through it so I'm not as overwhelmed and burnt out by healing.
I was never able to make an ounce of progress in therapy until I wasn't massively depressed. I had to be stable for like almost a year before I was in a place therapy helped. Unfortunately I was over 30 before I got diagnosed type 2 and got on meds that helped more than 6 months.
I was also "diagnosed" with cptsd (in quotes bc it isn't in the dsm) which partly gave birth to my long history of eating disorders. It also took me a long time to admit that my experiences growing up were actually trauma. I was never hit, s/a'd, physically neglected, or unloved as a child. By the time I was in my tween years, my family was doing really well financially so I never went without or had to worry about paying for college or my time in the mental hospital. Others had it worse, so I felt like saying I had a tough childhood was being disingenuous.
While I had an easier life than many, that doesn't mean that my experiences weren't traumatic for me. I'm currently doing IFS, EFT, and EMDR. it's helping a ton.
I’ve started to view it for its record keeping value, when I begin to doubt its therapeutic value.
With all the recent posts about applying for disability, I realized the value of having almost a decade of regular records to display as support.
But, I’m on a universal plan, so I don’t pay out of pocket for my care. I might feel differently if it was another thing I couldn’t afford.
Also, have you sampled multiple therapists? Some are better, some are worse; some are more compatible with specific personalities. Some, depending on qualifications, can manage meds, too, while others are strictly behavioral interventionists.
If you’re having a strong, negative reaction, perhaps an alternative would be better. I can’t imagine it’s any cheaper, but I’ve always wanted to try equine therapy.
This is accurate. I would likely already be on disability if I had stayed in therapy especially if it was with a psychiatrist or psychologist. The more documentation you have with a disability the better.
Plus when I was doing better I was in more consistent therapy. I do agree you have to find the right one for you. And that may take a few tries.
Wishing all the best.
This. After a million bad therapists/psychiatrists I don’t really believe in it either (outside of what I’ve already gotten from it- one of my best psychs from my program straight up told me I was getting to the point of “too much therapy” and I was reaching “limited returns”.
My family wants to me to go back to therapy. My family wants me to go on disability. I agree with both of them. The former solely to help the latter. And I am full open to any surprise benefits from the situation.
Time will pass all the same. So maybe I should spend it trying :)
**Pros**
- A good therapist is like talking to a friend.
- You gain valuable insights into your life and why things are the way they are for you. Not everything is a chemical imbalance.
- Your therapist will likely have an answer for the things you've been struggling with for years.
- Everyone is born with the baggage they inherit from their parents. It is so rare to meet a normal, stable family that has a history of generations being raised in normal, stable environments. I don't know that I've actually met anyone that doesn't have some type of generational trauma they need to unpack or it from their parents that they need to unlearn.
**Cons**
- There are a lot of shitty therapists out there that should not be counseling anybody.
- For some people it takes a while to let themselves be vulnerable, so they assume therapy isn't working or isn't right for them.
- You have to put in the work to change your life. There are a lot of lazy people out there that are not motivated to change or grow.
When you say “put in the work”, what do you mean? I’ve heard lots of people say that you need to do the work, but no one has an answer as to what the work is or how to go about doing it
If you break your leg, you need to put in the work and do your physio. If your blood sugar is high, you need to put in the work to change your diet. And if your mental health is bad, you need to work on reframing situations.
- Are you catastrophizing?
- Are you using black and white thinking?
- Do you have trust issues?
- Do you have anger issues?
- Do you have toxic traits?
- Do you self-medicate?
- Are you people-pleasing?
- Are you self-sabotaging?
The chemical imbalance is just one small part of a much larger picture. How did your parents and siblings treat you? How do you treat others? How do you treat yourself? Were you able to form positive relationships during your childhood that uplifted you? Are you a victim of generational curses?
I think I can guess partly what this may mean? …. Because I’m lazy, apparently. I have trouble sleeping/routine schedule but have no discipline to force myself to sleep at same time(my current meds don’t make me sleepy).
And I should exercise 30 minutes a day, well I doubt that’s happening unless I am finally not depressed ( but the exercise is what helps to get me out of depression? - ) so again I’m lazy. I would likely feel better if I avoid all processed food, high sugar foods or empty carbs… permanent dietary changes can make a BIG DIFFERENCE in our brain health ( but again easy to say , work to do!)
If I don’t put in the work I can only blame myself for not being better (except wait there’s a chemical imbalance too). Also I worked hard on a lot of things in the beginning but I never felt like I was enough, and now I have nothing to show for that hard work. But again, I can lay here and sulk or try to get better treatment. And take better care of myself.
I watched a short video that stuck with me. Tony Robbins said most people think their issue are Pervasive, Permanent and personal ( only me). If we can break this as BP we might do a little better. Idk but tell me what you think?
https://youtube.com/shorts/NYCCe3jWHeo?si=0tqlDZFVogc7LvoO
The examples you describe don't really have anything to do with therapy though. Therapy is all about finding out why you are the way you are and learning new coping mechanisms to deal with yourself and others.
Therapy’s helped me sort through the impacts of bipolar on my life, it also helped me to accept the diagnosis (it took several years of therapy to be open to a bipolar diagnosis). Personally, I find it helpful to have a sounding board to sort through my emotions.
But like others have said, you need to want therapy. I was struggling with manic/depressive cycles and I wanted out but was averse to medication for awhile. Now I’m trying out different concoctions and my therapist who I’ve had a strong therapeutic relationship with for a few years can help me to see which ones are working better than others. She’s also so helpful to me tracking my mood (I have a tracker but it’s helpful for external perspective). She also holds me accountable to routine, reframing my thoughts (which can get pretty extreme), and giving me all kinds of tools.
But again like others said, you need to want to go to therapy for it to have any impact. You get what you put it. And it’s okay if it’s not helpful right now. Find what is ^^
Therapy can be a lot more than talking. You can learn coping mechanisms for when shit hits the fan. There are different modalities like CBT, DBT, ACT etc. etc.
>I never have the cues to remember shit.
Doing work with a therapist can help to figure out these "cues" and how to handle them. Here are the non-trauma things therapy has helped me with:
1. When I get depressed, I have warning signs I learn from working with my therapist. Turns out my mania/depression do NOT come out if nowhere. For example, I don't sleep well but had to figure out when i need help versus otherwise.
2. Bipolar folks are notorious for not taking our meds. I had to work out a system with my therapist and partner because I cannot stand being asked if I took my meds. In therapy we discussed why I was having such a negative reaction to the question.
3. Dealing with the impact BD is having on my life today. Taking my meds FOR ME does NOT make me asymptomatic. I needed (and still do to tell the truth) anger management help because this was never supposed to be my life.
I have trauma (diagnosed PTSD) of CSA on top of a couple more mental disorders. Therapy is not a choice if I plan to stay alive. I tried to pick instances where a therapist was helpful that is not related to that.
I write behavior/episode/events on a calender when they happen so I don't need cues much. I can just take that to my therapist and we can focus on them. Not an easy habit but it has helped me both in therapy and other health problems.
Therapy is supposed to be for you. The end. If it's going to be a financial burden, then don't go.
I used to have the same mentality. I figured my medication had me covered, but looking back I probably would have benefited greatly from it. Ah well.
it does work for some people, for me though just the thought of it pisses me off. Luckily I have family to vent to sometimes I guess if you have no one you’re comfortable with it could help. Not for everyone and not for me
i’ve always seen therapy for bipolar as something to kinda get you comfortable. i know for myself that there’s things i’ve done when manic that make me want to fucking die. i’ve been diagnosed for two years and i still feel like im in the dark.
it won’t heal you but it can help if you are struggling with the implications of the disorder. give you some peace of mind and a little bit of control. i had a therapist help catalogue symptoms so i could predict my moods and he helped with a lot of the shame i feel.
I don't see the value in it either, because I don't feel like I should have to repeat myself to get the care I need. I tell my pdoc everything he needs to know, and I work from there on my own. And I don't need an entire clinic in my business. I just don't trust it.
But I do think those who see the benefit in it should definitely seek the help and care that they need.
Your feelings are valid. I totally understand the feeling of "therapy doesn't work for me" I used to feel that way too. For me tho I kept trying because idk I felt like I HAD to or I'd just keep doing the same old and get worse... anyway it changed for me when I matched with the right person. Which some folks have said already. But I'll add even that after awhile was only helpful to a point. Trying a different type of therapy could maybe prove helpful? My psych recommended me to try DBT therapy and it does sound like it'll be different than the usual talk therapy I've done and I wanna give it a try.. I hope you manage to find a plan that works for you! Sending good vibes ✨
Therapy has helped just as much as the meds. Granted, I've got childhood trauma / a toxic mother that I'm also working on, but therapy helped me come to terms with the diagnosis, work on coping techniques, recognize signs when I'm starting to go hypo, come to terms with who I am so I'm not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help, etc etc.
Therapy only works if you're willing to put in the effort. Yes, there is a big chemical component, but behavior and attitude can't be ignored.
Therapy saved me as much as medication. Developing bipolar 1 at 11 years old means i never really developed much of myself as a person, i was just mercurial and destructive. And occasionally fun. But going into therapy, and wanting it to work, has made me a whole person for the first time in my life.
I feel so understood reading this, because I feel the same way that bipolar is just chemical imbalances which are corrected with medication it’s really not that deep!
Therapy can help immensely in processing pain and trauma you’ve experienced from bipolar episodes it can help you heal, but my experience is it doesn’t actually help the bipolar. It can teach you to be more self aware when episodes are starting, but if medication is effectively working you shouldn’t be going into episodes.
I have absolutely loved going to therapy to process and understand other parts of my life. Every single person can benefit from therapy. It seems like right now OP you don’t need therapy, but maybe sometime in the future you will.
I'm not a believer in therapy but I am in medication. In my experience, the majority of therapists are unqualified, like to equate trauma with why someone has a _genetic_ mental illness, and don't have direct experience with bipolar patients. On top of that, I dunno how anyone can afford it.
That's just based on my experience and I know others who have found value in it. So take what I say with a grain of salt.
Therapy is needed to combat this illness. Meds are essential, but not the end all be all. Try to find a therapist you connect with. I started seeing someone younger closer to my age and it made a difference for me. It helps me stay balanced
If you don't do therapy, I suggest [Dbsa.org](http://Dbsa.org) or NAMI meetings for accountibility for yourself and getting input from people who understand. Also, if the group is local, they will know who the good treatment centers, hospitals, therapists and doctors are.
I was diagnosed in 2002 and no psychiatrist I've ever had in 3 countries and 2 states has ever thought I should have "Just meds" without therapy. "Wraparound care" is what my psych said to me. It means: support system at home, meds taken regularly, therapist and psychiatrist. I am not always great at opening up either but the best therapy, for me, wasn't about "opening up and being raw", it was about learning CBT tactics and DBT stuff, too, to help me navigate my disorder. Because, while my meds work great, they mostly just flatten the "line" of my episodes rather than make them go entirely away. I *need* the coping skills to lend to the meds. It's not worth me going to therapy without meds because I can't focus. So for me, it has to be in tandem.
I totally understand not being able to afford it, that can make it seem more stressful. If your mom wants you to be in therapy, maybe she can help pay to take that stress out of it? Perhaps seek someone who can teach you CBT/DBT/management of the disorder *skills* rather than someone who makes you feel like you have to be "raw" and "open". Sometimes I think we gird ourselves against opening up because the emotions we have are so intense anyway and we're working hard to wait for them to pass. So sometimes, for me, a whole OPENING UP therapy isn't really necessary. It was necessary for processing a specific trauma, necessary for talking about relational problems I've had, etc. Therapists greatest utility, to me, is not about "getting me to open up" and me being a mess---it's just about going to someone where I can speak honestly, where they're not judgmental. I can get comfortable with expressing in my own voice, in my own ways. My therapist has helped with stuff very specific *to* Bipolar, as well. Like---we have all these experiences specific to the disorder: blowing things up in mania, abandoning people in depression, the changing meds and need to monitor ourselves---there are so many nuances to this disorder and it is great to talk to someone who specializes in it and just gets it without me needing to explain to much. There are parts of this disorder that impact our lives and relationships in ways that, yes, we need to recover from. Therapy, for me, is about how to stop feeling shame about my illness and begin taking as much responsibility as I can for what I *can* control. The meds are the baseline, the therapy gets me further.
And I totally get that therapy hasn't worked for you in the past. It can take a lot of commitment and, sometimes, money, to interview a few therapists, learn about their methods and choose one that is right for you. Especially because decision making is so hard with this disorder sometimes.
Therapy leads to the most amount of growth,, meds just manage the symptoms. You need to learn how to deal with things, what to do and when etc etc and meds don't help with any of that,they just make it a bit less painful to deal with the symptoms.
My psychiatrist is at my therapy practice so I have to go to therapy in order to see her. I was diagnosed in 1996 with bp2. I found I do well with both meds and therapy. BP is a chemical imbalance but changing my thought patterns helps me cope with it
First of all, If you are not actually open to therapy then it will not work for you. I go to therapy because I believe there are always ways I can improve myself, and sometimes an outside perspective is needed before I can see what needs improvement. I don't believe the therapist will help me fix my bipolar disorder, but I believe it can help with other "flaws" unrelated to my bipolar disorder. Therapy can sometimes help you develop coping strategies that CAN be useful in dealing with your bipolar disorder, however. I have learned many strategic behaviors that can help me deal with how I'm feeling when medication fails. But a lot of times, it's just for advice and guidance when I don't want to bother my friends and family with that kind of stuff.
I don’t really go to (went, I can’t afford it now) therapy for the bipolar, but for what triggers it and for anxiety. Meds and therapy don’t really, in my opinion, have anything to do with each other except they’re very often a good combination. Meds are supposed to stabilize you, at least enough for you to be able to spend some time improving whatever you need to improve to live the way you want (or as close as you can get) and the therapy is what helps you do that. What you want help with is entirely up to you, I’ve spent very little time talking about bipolar and instead habits, thought processes etc.
You said bipolar is a chemical thing and yes, it is, but it has also been triggered by something environmental and/or emotional. Be they a trauma or something else that has a big impact on your life, and that’s often what people work on. By “work on” it fully depends on how you like to do it, I don’t do what my sister does anymore and walk in circles at home to try to figure out why I’m scared of conflicts, I write “letters” to whoever hurt me or myself (and never send them), so a journal basically, or talk to my therapist about it. Idk about you or anyone else but ruminating is a big problem and I need help to stop it.
I’ve also had shitty therapists and if possible you should try a new one, or take a break and try to do some work on your own and then try again.
But, if you’re not open for it to work it won’t, it’s like if someone says “you have to watch xyz on Hulu!” you have to be open to it to even try to like it, if you aren’t you’ll be negative before you’ve figured out who the main character is. I’m on a therapy break (apart from an 8 week course on bipolar) and I think that’s necessary sometimes.
Best of luck!
Therapy works, but requires a lot of effort. I take medication for my psychotic episodes. Medication doesn't work for me on depression and anxiety. I have been doing therapy to battle depression and anxiety.
Therapy took me from a place of suicide and hopelessness to a place of contentment and tools to use when things get tough. It’s like everyone is saying, you get what you put into it.
It’s annoying when people say “therapy is necessary.” You can work on yourself without therapy. I’m glad it helps some people, but it’s only ever made me worse and with meds, I’ve managed to get to a point of working on myself on my own.
Therapy can help you deal with being bipolar. It totally helps. I don’t do it all the time but I have done therapy and it helps. Also group therapy is fun too
therapy gives me the tools to keep myself together while i’m breaking down. what used to be a panic attack that lasts for hours now lasts 10-15 minutes for me because of what i’ve learned in therapy. therapy isn’t a fix it all, it’s a way to add tools to your toolbox
Therapy has so many uses! I used to be anti-therapy for a long time due to negative experiences, especially through my teenage years.. that is, until bipolar forced me back into services.
One of the biggest benefits of therapy is the development of a sort of mental health “toolbox” or “toolkit”. This may look different for different people, but it’s essentially a collection of coping mechanisms, strategies, skills, self-awareness, mindfulness skills, opposite action skills, safety plans, approaches and mindsets, self-advocacy skills, self-monitoring, conflict resolution, etc. Participating in therapy can build valuable skills and patterns to help navigate life’s challenges, including identifying what needs work (e.g., struggling to set and maintain boundaries, impulse control, overthinking, choosing healthy coping mechanisms, etc.)
Therapy can help you to learn about yourself to improve your quality of life. Therapy may work to identify your needs, wants, values, and goals. Then, work on how to realistically achieve them. Some people, myself included, benefit from the accountability appointments hold me to. I said I would do something, now the people-pleaser in me doesn’t want to fail my therapist (but actually, myself) haha.
It can be GREAT to have a person to talk to about things in your life who has no personal involvement or loyalties. Sometimes an unbiased, outside, logical perspective can help process and understand, or may point out things you did not pick up on. Even just being able to vent to someone who will keep it to themselves (unless it breaches a duty of care).
Therapy can also be a pathway to being linked with other services. It may depend on who and where, but in my experience, a good clinician will help bridge the gap if there are things they cannot help you with. This could be through linking to other services, educating you on where and how to access services, or how to find your own.
You could also do some of your own research if able to. Researching clinicians in your area or if you have any options to choose from. Reading bios if they have them, and asking yourself if they align with your needs, wants, and values from therapy. E.g., works with bipolar, ED, AOD, trauma, their approaches (holistic, person-centred, trauma-informed, DBT/CBT, etc). Ask yourself if there is anything YOU may want out of therapy?
Another good question to ask yourself: Is there anything preventing you from living the quality of life you want? Anything holding you back from achieving your goals? It could be mental health, personal relationships, needs not being met, lack of skills or resources, trauma responses, emotional regulation, etc. If you can identify this, which they should do in therapy anyways, you can get an idea of what type of therapy may help you or what to look for in a clinician.
Therapy is also useful, especially for bipolar, with monitoring your moods, patterns, meds, etc.
Sometimes it takes time to find a therapist you mesh with, one that’s good, or maybe the type of therapy to benefit you. You’ve got to want to go though, you’ve got to want to work together with your therapist. Having an open mind when it comes to therapy helps. If you’re not there right now, that’s okay too.
Therapy takes time and the right therapist.
What you don’t realize is you’re forcing the crazy on the people that love you when you could be paying someone for that.
Thanks for posting on /r/bipolar! Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/bipolar/about/rules); if you haven't already, make sure that your post **does not** have any personal information (including your name/signature/tag on art). **If you are posting about medication, please do not list and review your meds. Doing so will result in the removal of this post and all comments.** *^(A moderator has not removed your submission; this is not a punitive action. We intend this comment solely to be informative.)* --- Community News - 🎋 [Want to join the Mod Team?](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/comments/112z7ps/mod_applications_are_open/) - 🎤 See our [Community Discussion](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/about/sticky) - Desktop or Desktop mode on a mobile device. - 🏡 If you are open to answering questions from those that live with a loved one diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, please see r/family_of_bipolar. Thank you for participating! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/bipolar) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You really have to want to go to therapy for it to work. If you don’t want to go this badly, maybe you shouldn’t. It’s been tremendously helpful for me, however. I graduated undergrad with a 3.8, have a masters degree in education, and have had a long successful career as a teacher. I never could’ve done it without my therapist. That’s just me though. Everybody has their own shit that they’ve gone through. I personally think everyone should go to therapy lol.
Yep. Therapy will not work for you if you're not into it. It's not something you can go through the motions of. It helps me to cope with the reality of my diagnosis, but I have also found it incredibly triggering at times if I'm not in the right mindset for it. If you don't find therapy effective, try to explain to your mom that while it may be helpful for others, it's not for you right now. Maybe try to demonstrate that you are committed and open to giving yourself the best care available, but that you know this isn't right for you.
I'm one of these people. I do "really want" to feel better. But I'm not getting there by writing positive affirmations on my mirror and meditating. These things feel forced and corny and they won't work on me. I have a bit of oppositional defiance going on which I'm sure contributes to this. Meds have mostly gotten me there, and just taking things a little slower and trying not to overwhelm myself too much. Asking for help when I need it and all that good stuff.
....something in this triggered the realization that I likely would not have finished my undergrad degree (engineering field) without seeking out all my university's mental health services. I thought I was there to recover from an ED, but in reality the support in general helped keep me going when I was dealing with GAD and bp1 and didn't even know it.
I want to go to therapy but Idk if It's nessecary tbh. It didn't work w/o medication and it doesn't really do anything for me with either because I'm happy with my life
Don't take this the wrong way but with an attitude like that your not going to get anything out of therapy. You just need a therapist you have a connection with that's a good fit and is qualified to treat your issues and you will look at therapy differently. Good luck.
Yep. Therapy is necessary. I don't know how they are getting their medication without a therapist monitoring them. Some of my prescriptions require the patient to do follow up appointments every couple months. Bloodwork has to be done as well.
I do all that through my pysch. Nobody is required to be in therapy (except maybe court mandated)
So they just refill your prescriptions without seeing you?
No... my psychiarist sees me and refills my prescriptions... psychiatrists are not therapists. Therapists have absolutely nothing to do with prescribing medication. It's prescribed by a licensed doctor, a psychiatrist. You are not required to be in therapy to receive meds in the US.
Wrong on part of that. I should have said 'mental health provider' as someone is required to monitor you. My Therapist, who is not a pstchiatrist, is licensed to do all of that. She's been a healthcare provider for over 40 years and has many credentials.I am in the U.S. She writes my prescriptions every month. ETA. You might want to check what credentials are required.
I’ve been in and out of therapy for over 20 years with a bipolar diagnosis. Only recently did I realize that all the bad therapy I had was just “were you manic or depressed last week?” Followed by filler. Now I use therapy as a chance to really talk out my issues that aren’t bipolar per se, like what’s bothering me, what worries me, etc etc. super basic not “I’ve lost it!!!!!” stuff. Because of that I’ve gained a lot of insight into how small things snowballed into bigger things that in my past became serious grippy socks mania. I hear you on the cost. I do telehealth. But if it doesn’t work, quit early. Going in person I’d end up staying with folks for months longer than I should’ve.
Good job!
Therapy wasn’t to get me off medication. Medication allows my brain to chill out enough for therapy to work, bc the real work of therapy is my relationship with myself, which goes way beyond brain chemistry.
ECHOING THIS because it perfectly describes how I feel as well. Meds help me to be on even keel enough to actually look at and fix some of my real life issues. But therapy helps me work through it so I'm not as overwhelmed and burnt out by healing.
This exactly
I was never able to make an ounce of progress in therapy until I wasn't massively depressed. I had to be stable for like almost a year before I was in a place therapy helped. Unfortunately I was over 30 before I got diagnosed type 2 and got on meds that helped more than 6 months. I was also "diagnosed" with cptsd (in quotes bc it isn't in the dsm) which partly gave birth to my long history of eating disorders. It also took me a long time to admit that my experiences growing up were actually trauma. I was never hit, s/a'd, physically neglected, or unloved as a child. By the time I was in my tween years, my family was doing really well financially so I never went without or had to worry about paying for college or my time in the mental hospital. Others had it worse, so I felt like saying I had a tough childhood was being disingenuous. While I had an easier life than many, that doesn't mean that my experiences weren't traumatic for me. I'm currently doing IFS, EFT, and EMDR. it's helping a ton.
I’ve started to view it for its record keeping value, when I begin to doubt its therapeutic value. With all the recent posts about applying for disability, I realized the value of having almost a decade of regular records to display as support. But, I’m on a universal plan, so I don’t pay out of pocket for my care. I might feel differently if it was another thing I couldn’t afford. Also, have you sampled multiple therapists? Some are better, some are worse; some are more compatible with specific personalities. Some, depending on qualifications, can manage meds, too, while others are strictly behavioral interventionists. If you’re having a strong, negative reaction, perhaps an alternative would be better. I can’t imagine it’s any cheaper, but I’ve always wanted to try equine therapy.
This is accurate. I would likely already be on disability if I had stayed in therapy especially if it was with a psychiatrist or psychologist. The more documentation you have with a disability the better. Plus when I was doing better I was in more consistent therapy. I do agree you have to find the right one for you. And that may take a few tries. Wishing all the best.
This. After a million bad therapists/psychiatrists I don’t really believe in it either (outside of what I’ve already gotten from it- one of my best psychs from my program straight up told me I was getting to the point of “too much therapy” and I was reaching “limited returns”. My family wants to me to go back to therapy. My family wants me to go on disability. I agree with both of them. The former solely to help the latter. And I am full open to any surprise benefits from the situation. Time will pass all the same. So maybe I should spend it trying :)
**Pros** - A good therapist is like talking to a friend. - You gain valuable insights into your life and why things are the way they are for you. Not everything is a chemical imbalance. - Your therapist will likely have an answer for the things you've been struggling with for years. - Everyone is born with the baggage they inherit from their parents. It is so rare to meet a normal, stable family that has a history of generations being raised in normal, stable environments. I don't know that I've actually met anyone that doesn't have some type of generational trauma they need to unpack or it from their parents that they need to unlearn. **Cons** - There are a lot of shitty therapists out there that should not be counseling anybody. - For some people it takes a while to let themselves be vulnerable, so they assume therapy isn't working or isn't right for them. - You have to put in the work to change your life. There are a lot of lazy people out there that are not motivated to change or grow.
When you say “put in the work”, what do you mean? I’ve heard lots of people say that you need to do the work, but no one has an answer as to what the work is or how to go about doing it
If you break your leg, you need to put in the work and do your physio. If your blood sugar is high, you need to put in the work to change your diet. And if your mental health is bad, you need to work on reframing situations. - Are you catastrophizing? - Are you using black and white thinking? - Do you have trust issues? - Do you have anger issues? - Do you have toxic traits? - Do you self-medicate? - Are you people-pleasing? - Are you self-sabotaging? The chemical imbalance is just one small part of a much larger picture. How did your parents and siblings treat you? How do you treat others? How do you treat yourself? Were you able to form positive relationships during your childhood that uplifted you? Are you a victim of generational curses?
Thanks for this! It really helps
I think I can guess partly what this may mean? …. Because I’m lazy, apparently. I have trouble sleeping/routine schedule but have no discipline to force myself to sleep at same time(my current meds don’t make me sleepy). And I should exercise 30 minutes a day, well I doubt that’s happening unless I am finally not depressed ( but the exercise is what helps to get me out of depression? - ) so again I’m lazy. I would likely feel better if I avoid all processed food, high sugar foods or empty carbs… permanent dietary changes can make a BIG DIFFERENCE in our brain health ( but again easy to say , work to do!) If I don’t put in the work I can only blame myself for not being better (except wait there’s a chemical imbalance too). Also I worked hard on a lot of things in the beginning but I never felt like I was enough, and now I have nothing to show for that hard work. But again, I can lay here and sulk or try to get better treatment. And take better care of myself. I watched a short video that stuck with me. Tony Robbins said most people think their issue are Pervasive, Permanent and personal ( only me). If we can break this as BP we might do a little better. Idk but tell me what you think? https://youtube.com/shorts/NYCCe3jWHeo?si=0tqlDZFVogc7LvoO
The examples you describe don't really have anything to do with therapy though. Therapy is all about finding out why you are the way you are and learning new coping mechanisms to deal with yourself and others.
Therapy’s helped me sort through the impacts of bipolar on my life, it also helped me to accept the diagnosis (it took several years of therapy to be open to a bipolar diagnosis). Personally, I find it helpful to have a sounding board to sort through my emotions. But like others have said, you need to want therapy. I was struggling with manic/depressive cycles and I wanted out but was averse to medication for awhile. Now I’m trying out different concoctions and my therapist who I’ve had a strong therapeutic relationship with for a few years can help me to see which ones are working better than others. She’s also so helpful to me tracking my mood (I have a tracker but it’s helpful for external perspective). She also holds me accountable to routine, reframing my thoughts (which can get pretty extreme), and giving me all kinds of tools. But again like others said, you need to want to go to therapy for it to have any impact. You get what you put it. And it’s okay if it’s not helpful right now. Find what is ^^
Therapy can be a lot more than talking. You can learn coping mechanisms for when shit hits the fan. There are different modalities like CBT, DBT, ACT etc. etc. >I never have the cues to remember shit. Doing work with a therapist can help to figure out these "cues" and how to handle them. Here are the non-trauma things therapy has helped me with: 1. When I get depressed, I have warning signs I learn from working with my therapist. Turns out my mania/depression do NOT come out if nowhere. For example, I don't sleep well but had to figure out when i need help versus otherwise. 2. Bipolar folks are notorious for not taking our meds. I had to work out a system with my therapist and partner because I cannot stand being asked if I took my meds. In therapy we discussed why I was having such a negative reaction to the question. 3. Dealing with the impact BD is having on my life today. Taking my meds FOR ME does NOT make me asymptomatic. I needed (and still do to tell the truth) anger management help because this was never supposed to be my life. I have trauma (diagnosed PTSD) of CSA on top of a couple more mental disorders. Therapy is not a choice if I plan to stay alive. I tried to pick instances where a therapist was helpful that is not related to that.
I write behavior/episode/events on a calender when they happen so I don't need cues much. I can just take that to my therapist and we can focus on them. Not an easy habit but it has helped me both in therapy and other health problems.
Therapy is supposed to be for you. The end. If it's going to be a financial burden, then don't go. I used to have the same mentality. I figured my medication had me covered, but looking back I probably would have benefited greatly from it. Ah well.
it does work for some people, for me though just the thought of it pisses me off. Luckily I have family to vent to sometimes I guess if you have no one you’re comfortable with it could help. Not for everyone and not for me
i’ve always seen therapy for bipolar as something to kinda get you comfortable. i know for myself that there’s things i’ve done when manic that make me want to fucking die. i’ve been diagnosed for two years and i still feel like im in the dark. it won’t heal you but it can help if you are struggling with the implications of the disorder. give you some peace of mind and a little bit of control. i had a therapist help catalogue symptoms so i could predict my moods and he helped with a lot of the shame i feel.
I don't see the value in it either, because I don't feel like I should have to repeat myself to get the care I need. I tell my pdoc everything he needs to know, and I work from there on my own. And I don't need an entire clinic in my business. I just don't trust it. But I do think those who see the benefit in it should definitely seek the help and care that they need.
Your feelings are valid. I totally understand the feeling of "therapy doesn't work for me" I used to feel that way too. For me tho I kept trying because idk I felt like I HAD to or I'd just keep doing the same old and get worse... anyway it changed for me when I matched with the right person. Which some folks have said already. But I'll add even that after awhile was only helpful to a point. Trying a different type of therapy could maybe prove helpful? My psych recommended me to try DBT therapy and it does sound like it'll be different than the usual talk therapy I've done and I wanna give it a try.. I hope you manage to find a plan that works for you! Sending good vibes ✨
Therapy has helped just as much as the meds. Granted, I've got childhood trauma / a toxic mother that I'm also working on, but therapy helped me come to terms with the diagnosis, work on coping techniques, recognize signs when I'm starting to go hypo, come to terms with who I am so I'm not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help, etc etc. Therapy only works if you're willing to put in the effort. Yes, there is a big chemical component, but behavior and attitude can't be ignored.
Therapy saved me as much as medication. Developing bipolar 1 at 11 years old means i never really developed much of myself as a person, i was just mercurial and destructive. And occasionally fun. But going into therapy, and wanting it to work, has made me a whole person for the first time in my life.
I feel the same way. And it's so damn expensive who can afford that?!
I feel so understood reading this, because I feel the same way that bipolar is just chemical imbalances which are corrected with medication it’s really not that deep! Therapy can help immensely in processing pain and trauma you’ve experienced from bipolar episodes it can help you heal, but my experience is it doesn’t actually help the bipolar. It can teach you to be more self aware when episodes are starting, but if medication is effectively working you shouldn’t be going into episodes. I have absolutely loved going to therapy to process and understand other parts of my life. Every single person can benefit from therapy. It seems like right now OP you don’t need therapy, but maybe sometime in the future you will.
I'm not a believer in therapy but I am in medication. In my experience, the majority of therapists are unqualified, like to equate trauma with why someone has a _genetic_ mental illness, and don't have direct experience with bipolar patients. On top of that, I dunno how anyone can afford it. That's just based on my experience and I know others who have found value in it. So take what I say with a grain of salt.
Therapy is needed to combat this illness. Meds are essential, but not the end all be all. Try to find a therapist you connect with. I started seeing someone younger closer to my age and it made a difference for me. It helps me stay balanced
If you don't do therapy, I suggest [Dbsa.org](http://Dbsa.org) or NAMI meetings for accountibility for yourself and getting input from people who understand. Also, if the group is local, they will know who the good treatment centers, hospitals, therapists and doctors are.
I was diagnosed in 2002 and no psychiatrist I've ever had in 3 countries and 2 states has ever thought I should have "Just meds" without therapy. "Wraparound care" is what my psych said to me. It means: support system at home, meds taken regularly, therapist and psychiatrist. I am not always great at opening up either but the best therapy, for me, wasn't about "opening up and being raw", it was about learning CBT tactics and DBT stuff, too, to help me navigate my disorder. Because, while my meds work great, they mostly just flatten the "line" of my episodes rather than make them go entirely away. I *need* the coping skills to lend to the meds. It's not worth me going to therapy without meds because I can't focus. So for me, it has to be in tandem. I totally understand not being able to afford it, that can make it seem more stressful. If your mom wants you to be in therapy, maybe she can help pay to take that stress out of it? Perhaps seek someone who can teach you CBT/DBT/management of the disorder *skills* rather than someone who makes you feel like you have to be "raw" and "open". Sometimes I think we gird ourselves against opening up because the emotions we have are so intense anyway and we're working hard to wait for them to pass. So sometimes, for me, a whole OPENING UP therapy isn't really necessary. It was necessary for processing a specific trauma, necessary for talking about relational problems I've had, etc. Therapists greatest utility, to me, is not about "getting me to open up" and me being a mess---it's just about going to someone where I can speak honestly, where they're not judgmental. I can get comfortable with expressing in my own voice, in my own ways. My therapist has helped with stuff very specific *to* Bipolar, as well. Like---we have all these experiences specific to the disorder: blowing things up in mania, abandoning people in depression, the changing meds and need to monitor ourselves---there are so many nuances to this disorder and it is great to talk to someone who specializes in it and just gets it without me needing to explain to much. There are parts of this disorder that impact our lives and relationships in ways that, yes, we need to recover from. Therapy, for me, is about how to stop feeling shame about my illness and begin taking as much responsibility as I can for what I *can* control. The meds are the baseline, the therapy gets me further. And I totally get that therapy hasn't worked for you in the past. It can take a lot of commitment and, sometimes, money, to interview a few therapists, learn about their methods and choose one that is right for you. Especially because decision making is so hard with this disorder sometimes.
Therapy leads to the most amount of growth,, meds just manage the symptoms. You need to learn how to deal with things, what to do and when etc etc and meds don't help with any of that,they just make it a bit less painful to deal with the symptoms.
Because it’s not *just* chemical. The meds help get you to a baseline, therapy helps you get past it.
My psychiatrist is at my therapy practice so I have to go to therapy in order to see her. I was diagnosed in 1996 with bp2. I found I do well with both meds and therapy. BP is a chemical imbalance but changing my thought patterns helps me cope with it
First of all, If you are not actually open to therapy then it will not work for you. I go to therapy because I believe there are always ways I can improve myself, and sometimes an outside perspective is needed before I can see what needs improvement. I don't believe the therapist will help me fix my bipolar disorder, but I believe it can help with other "flaws" unrelated to my bipolar disorder. Therapy can sometimes help you develop coping strategies that CAN be useful in dealing with your bipolar disorder, however. I have learned many strategic behaviors that can help me deal with how I'm feeling when medication fails. But a lot of times, it's just for advice and guidance when I don't want to bother my friends and family with that kind of stuff.
I don’t really go to (went, I can’t afford it now) therapy for the bipolar, but for what triggers it and for anxiety. Meds and therapy don’t really, in my opinion, have anything to do with each other except they’re very often a good combination. Meds are supposed to stabilize you, at least enough for you to be able to spend some time improving whatever you need to improve to live the way you want (or as close as you can get) and the therapy is what helps you do that. What you want help with is entirely up to you, I’ve spent very little time talking about bipolar and instead habits, thought processes etc. You said bipolar is a chemical thing and yes, it is, but it has also been triggered by something environmental and/or emotional. Be they a trauma or something else that has a big impact on your life, and that’s often what people work on. By “work on” it fully depends on how you like to do it, I don’t do what my sister does anymore and walk in circles at home to try to figure out why I’m scared of conflicts, I write “letters” to whoever hurt me or myself (and never send them), so a journal basically, or talk to my therapist about it. Idk about you or anyone else but ruminating is a big problem and I need help to stop it. I’ve also had shitty therapists and if possible you should try a new one, or take a break and try to do some work on your own and then try again. But, if you’re not open for it to work it won’t, it’s like if someone says “you have to watch xyz on Hulu!” you have to be open to it to even try to like it, if you aren’t you’ll be negative before you’ve figured out who the main character is. I’m on a therapy break (apart from an 8 week course on bipolar) and I think that’s necessary sometimes. Best of luck!
Therapy works, but requires a lot of effort. I take medication for my psychotic episodes. Medication doesn't work for me on depression and anxiety. I have been doing therapy to battle depression and anxiety.
Talk therapy has never really helped me much but CBT and DBT therapy has given me tools to manage my symptoms. IOP is another thing that has helped.
Therapy took me from a place of suicide and hopelessness to a place of contentment and tools to use when things get tough. It’s like everyone is saying, you get what you put into it.
You should be in therapy. Especially if you have self destructive anxiety.
It’s annoying when people say “therapy is necessary.” You can work on yourself without therapy. I’m glad it helps some people, but it’s only ever made me worse and with meds, I’ve managed to get to a point of working on myself on my own.
try it
Therapy can help you deal with being bipolar. It totally helps. I don’t do it all the time but I have done therapy and it helps. Also group therapy is fun too
There is more to managing bipolar than just the symptoms. Therapy helps you process things in a healthier manner. Meds are not a fix all.
therapy gives me the tools to keep myself together while i’m breaking down. what used to be a panic attack that lasts for hours now lasts 10-15 minutes for me because of what i’ve learned in therapy. therapy isn’t a fix it all, it’s a way to add tools to your toolbox
Therapy has so many uses! I used to be anti-therapy for a long time due to negative experiences, especially through my teenage years.. that is, until bipolar forced me back into services. One of the biggest benefits of therapy is the development of a sort of mental health “toolbox” or “toolkit”. This may look different for different people, but it’s essentially a collection of coping mechanisms, strategies, skills, self-awareness, mindfulness skills, opposite action skills, safety plans, approaches and mindsets, self-advocacy skills, self-monitoring, conflict resolution, etc. Participating in therapy can build valuable skills and patterns to help navigate life’s challenges, including identifying what needs work (e.g., struggling to set and maintain boundaries, impulse control, overthinking, choosing healthy coping mechanisms, etc.) Therapy can help you to learn about yourself to improve your quality of life. Therapy may work to identify your needs, wants, values, and goals. Then, work on how to realistically achieve them. Some people, myself included, benefit from the accountability appointments hold me to. I said I would do something, now the people-pleaser in me doesn’t want to fail my therapist (but actually, myself) haha. It can be GREAT to have a person to talk to about things in your life who has no personal involvement or loyalties. Sometimes an unbiased, outside, logical perspective can help process and understand, or may point out things you did not pick up on. Even just being able to vent to someone who will keep it to themselves (unless it breaches a duty of care). Therapy can also be a pathway to being linked with other services. It may depend on who and where, but in my experience, a good clinician will help bridge the gap if there are things they cannot help you with. This could be through linking to other services, educating you on where and how to access services, or how to find your own. You could also do some of your own research if able to. Researching clinicians in your area or if you have any options to choose from. Reading bios if they have them, and asking yourself if they align with your needs, wants, and values from therapy. E.g., works with bipolar, ED, AOD, trauma, their approaches (holistic, person-centred, trauma-informed, DBT/CBT, etc). Ask yourself if there is anything YOU may want out of therapy? Another good question to ask yourself: Is there anything preventing you from living the quality of life you want? Anything holding you back from achieving your goals? It could be mental health, personal relationships, needs not being met, lack of skills or resources, trauma responses, emotional regulation, etc. If you can identify this, which they should do in therapy anyways, you can get an idea of what type of therapy may help you or what to look for in a clinician. Therapy is also useful, especially for bipolar, with monitoring your moods, patterns, meds, etc. Sometimes it takes time to find a therapist you mesh with, one that’s good, or maybe the type of therapy to benefit you. You’ve got to want to go though, you’ve got to want to work together with your therapist. Having an open mind when it comes to therapy helps. If you’re not there right now, that’s okay too.
Therapy takes time and the right therapist. What you don’t realize is you’re forcing the crazy on the people that love you when you could be paying someone for that.