Question: I've been going to this excellent(says everyone) mental health center since I quit my latest job in October. They diagnosed me with BP and assigned me to a team of pros. The problem I think I have is that I haven't had any talk therapy since I started. I've seen a dr and a nurse and my case mgr. every week. They have got me on 400mg of Lamictal, Effexor(that I was already on) Geodon and next week they are starting me on Wellbutrin. That's great but when I started, I was in a psychotic state and didn't know where else to turn. Six yrs ago I was dgnsd by another dc of bpd(borderline personality) which I think has always been incorrect (and untreated since I was a teenager) I'm 33 now and things have only got worse over the years. Although I like the thorughness of them all, I asked when I was going to see a therapist. My case mgr acted like I should just talk with her. (She's only a social wkr) Should I be seeing a therapist or just experiment with all these new meds first? What is the process?

Hi

I also take Lamictal and Wellbutrin. Just two weeks ago I was put on the Lamictal and had a rough time on it, but now it is starting to work its way out for me. It seems like a great medicine. :) I really like the Wellbutrin. It also took a while for it too work for me. Like about a month. It can cause some people to become manic.

Yes. In most cases it is good to be under the care of a therapist/social worker and a psychiatrist team because they can work together in regards to your situation and help you get the best treatment possible. Therapists/social workers are similar, except for their degrees I think. Check it out on the computer and see what comes up. Or on Wikpedia to give you the difference between the two.

Therapists help one through talk therapy. That is something that would really benefit you while taking the meds, and with this illness. You wouldn't have to go every week- monthly; bi-monthly.

I'm 36 and things flew to the birds the older I got as well. The more I progressed into the 30's things went further south. Now, I am thankful that it seems I have found a good med regimen. Recently I had a mixed episode (this past month). That is why I was placed on the Lamictal. It was a life savor.

Good luck to you. Hope you find what you are looking for with your answers.

Coffeegirl

Hi,

I'm also on Wellbutrin, and have had great results with it. I think it's really worth a try. It's especially good for giving you energy.
As for the Social Worker, they're generally not as trained to give therapy (I took Social Work in school), unless maybe they have a Master's degree. But I will tell you this--and I'm being really candid here: I saw a saw a Social Worker for counseling for a year after I'd been raped, and she was nothing short of EXCELLENT. Is this caseworker free to you? Most other therapists are not. Why not be open-minded and give it a try? THere's no rule that says you have to see it through it you're not satisfied with how it's going...

Good Luck,
Tamara

My first therpaist was a MSW (master social work or something like that) and she helped me so much. This was before I was dx bp so we worked on all kinds of stragities on controlling my mood swings and all kinds of other stuff. This stuff helped me so much when I finally was dx, all it took to get me stable were meds. Maybe that person can help you. Good luck.

Hi All,

just a quick note on the differences between the many professionals involved at any time in our lives;

GP or Family doctor; full medical training but specialist in general medicine (no surgery or specialisation unless by personal endeavour after graduation and while working) They can determine that you may have something going on that's more complex than a unipolar condition for which they can prescribe SSRI's. They can refer you to...

Psychiatrist; full medical training but then specialises in Psychiatry - which is more about the brain and chemicals, metabolism affecting brain chemistry and by that token, emotions. They are the only ones that can prescribe the mood stabilisers, psychotics etc. They are not therapists although they often ask questions that seem to be the same as the therapist.

Therapist; they help with talking through the issues and life scipts and managment therapies around the emotions you have.

Social worker; they ensure you have a home, medication and become a liaison officer almost.

Well, in the UK at least!

The talk therapy is really important IMHO. Without it, I wouldn't make as much sense when I see my psychiatrist, wouldn't be tracking my symptoms as lucidly. Plus, I have really seen the benefit of cognitive behavior therapy. The meds are only part of the picture. I also have to change the way my brain works, need to exercise it with specific exercises similar to what one does in a workout at the gym. If I want to be stronger, healthier, more resilient mentally, then I need the mental exercise. I find it fascinating that we can actually change the structure of our brain by changing our thoughts! By the way, I was introduced to a pretty nifty organization that in essence teaches a particular type of cognitive therapy. The group teaches a type of objective vocabulary for recovering from traumatic things, and a way of coping with everyday experiences that try our patience when we aren't at our best. Very interesting doctor's philosophy. But I babble. As for therapist, counselor, or social worker, doesn't it really come down to how much the person really cares and wants to help you? They may have the best training, but if they don't help, then..... I had a social worker in the hospital who made a boo-boo when she met with me and my husband; she basically said we weren't going to make it. Wasn't really helpful for me to hear, I went backwards significantly after that. And she listed all these expectations for me once I got out, for him to give me a year. But there were no expectations on him! He left me more and more alone, and it was a situation destined for failure. Only I am thankful, because I would have never left him myself, and we just weren't compatable. Oops, babbling again. But it helps to get it out, so thanks for your patience! :dizzy:

Allow me to say first, I hav'nt been posting to this board very long myself, however, I am a BP1 long-timer, and believe so far your replies are comming from experience and level headed helpful people! By all means persue the proffessional talk therapy you require, and also know you can find lots of support here too! In addition to what your friends have suggested, I would only add; Please ask your pdoc lots and lots of questions about your meds! How do they affect your brain chemistry? how you may physically feel on them? Why are you taking the combination of meds you are taking? What kinds of successes his or her other patients are having? We are all paying a great deal of money for their skills and services, please make sure they are earning their pay-check!!!


Much Love and Hope to You!!!! Hanginthere!