Hi! I'm New, Please Help - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

savvy traveller · 04-23-2008, 10:36 AM

I'm new to the forum and have lurked around a bit. This is my first post.

I was diagnosed with manic depression only a few months ago. I'm not sure where it started but my primary care physicians had tried prozac last year and lexapro this year to no avail. I had been testing completely healthy but had severe chest pain and stomach aches, so they thought it was depression.

In short, I was hospitalized for 5 days after experiencing a state of mixed emotions and classic bipolar symptoms. I attended outpatient therapy for a few weeks but stopped to go back to work. I was initially on depakote but have been switched to lamictal by my psychiatrist. I am also tapering off risperdal. After diagnosis, I was seeing a psychiatrist but after a few sessions of therapy she said she only prescribes medication (weird, huh).

There were a number of things that led to the diagnosis: grandiose thoughts that the world was revolving around me because I was a revolutionary, delusional thoughts that the radio and television were talking to me, racing thoughts and speech, lack of sleep, and paranoia - I thought my work phone was tapped. One minute I would be laughing hysterically and the next minute I would be crying uncontrollably, all over nothing. My boyfriend and mom tried to ask me what was wrong but I never made any sense. They brought me to the ER and from there I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

I have since been doing great. It took a while to adjust to the medication. I used to be a very anxious and angry person but now I'm calm, happy and clearheaded.

I looked around the board and there hasn't been much discussion about therapy. I'm wondering if there is an underlying issue to my condition or if it was simply a chemical imbalance that medication has helped. I'm wondering if I even need therapy. I'm wondering if I can live without medication. What has been your experience? Do you attend therapy often? Has anyone gotten to a point where they were able to get off meds and just go to therapy? Your input is greatly appreciated.

katlin09 · 04-23-2008, 06:43 PM

Savvy, Hi and welcome. First answer, not really wierd that the psychiatrist only does med management. I have a psychiatrist whom I see every 3 weeks right now for med management, and then I see a psychologist for therapy every week. I'm BPII with severe BP Depression by the way dx'd 17 years ago. In my totally honest opinion, the only way to treat this disease is with the right combination of meds and therapy, it's just too hard to handle without someone to talk to and generally you need meds to handle the chemical imbalance part. That said, I also think it makes a world of difference to make sure you find the RIGHT doctor/doctors. It has to be someone you're totally comfortable with and that you're going to be totally honest with, because if you're not...odds are the therapy isn't going to do much good. Hope this helps, keep posting and let us know how you're going.

Llama · 04-23-2008, 08:37 PM

Hi and welcome savvy! This is a great board with a wonderful group of people here. I think you'll like it here.

To answer your question about therapy I am not so sure about this myself. I do know that I have read and have heard from others that therapy is a very important component of treatment for bipolar disorder. I have only recently begun therapy again (a few months). I originally had therapy in my teens for "problems" I was having (little known to myself or my family that it was probably the beginnings of bipolar disorder). I did not like therapy then but I am more open to the idea of it now. So I am only going about twice a month to therapy now. I cannot tell if it is helping yet or not.

felinesque · 04-24-2008, 02:29 AM

Hey Savvy,

I'm new to these boards, but not to Bipolar Disorder, so I know how you are feeling after your diagnosis (confusing, isn't it)?

There are quite a few people in my family with BP, and I definitely believe that there is a genetic pre-disposition there. Looking over the histories, however, it seems that the disorder can be triggered by either traumatic experiences or drug use. With others, there are unknown triggers, but in my family it tends to be one of those two. For me, it seems to have been a cumulative effect from lots of stressful experiences in life (a tough childhood, stress as an adult, battling a neurological disorder etc)

I have been considering the idea of therapy myself because I know that I have lots of things to process in my life, and I am sure that lots of other people with BP do too. Heck, for some people, just dealing with their new diagnosis would entice them to seek therapy. It can be a scary time.

The upshot of all my rambling is - if you think that therapy can help, go for it - as long as you have a good relationship with your therapist/ psychiatrist, it certainly can't hurt.

markfish · 04-24-2008, 08:43 PM

Okay. Therapy is awesome. There are different types of therapy though and its good to find a fit. Lets see, there is of course the one on one sessions but I dont do so well in that because I play games with the therapist. Its fun for me. And easy. So one on one is not so great for me. Then there is group. It is much better because you meet with your group and work alot with them, and the therapist just kind of giudes things. I can not play games with people who have played the same games with a therapsit who understands bi polar simply from earning a degree. If you are not serious about recovery people in the group will call you on it. I've had it done to me and watched it happen to others. And in group it feels good to be around people who are going through or have gone through what you. There are different types of therapy for both one on one and group.
You probably know all this though. I was in hospital for a little over a week and was released to an intensive outpatient. Like you.
I am waiting to see the psychiatrist so I can get on meds. I cant take trying to handle this disorder on my own anymore.
Youre on meds. Good. Its probably best to stay on them. Why not? They won't hurt. Bi polar will though. I wish I could have convinced myself of this last last time I went to the hospital! I had to make a return trip! No good. no good.
And hey, I had similar delusions as you. Being a revolutionist (though i was actually an activist) and paranoia. I was a monster, too many thoughts and way too much energy. It felt great but tore my life apart.
Good luck. It sounds like you are doing well.