Is just meds enough?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2004
Is just meds enough?
6
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 9:25am
I see my pdoc today. I am wondering if I should suggest a tdoc. I have had many types of therapies but never got anything out of them. Does therapy work for anyone else? Perhaps it depends on the therapist. All the therpay I have received simply triggered me to feel worse. Is therapy necessary to get "back on track"? Right now I am busy stressing big time, over my fertility and paying my bills late. I am hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. Just wondering if therpay would help or should I just keep on the lamictal? For some reason going to the pdoc REALLY stresses me out to the point of stomach cramps. I've lost 8 lbs. in the last two weeks. Since I am a bit overweight it's no big deal, but I don't like the stressful feelings.
I think I'm rambling again! LOL :)
Jodie

Jodie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2004
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 12:28pm

Hi Jodie,

I went to therapy when I was first dx'd and it really helped. The trick is I had a good therapist though. I've been to bad therapy since that I only got a little out of but, I got something from it. With your other issues going on I think therapy might help. That's only my opinion though. I'm sure someone wiser than me about such things will be along.

Love,

Jamie

Love,

Avatar for kdvaleski
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2004
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 12:56pm

Hi Jodie. Just meds can be enough at times for some of us, but therapy can be invaluable, and is often necessary. I am, and have been for some time, just treated with meds but I have a standing agreement with my pdoc that I will see a tdoc when it's needed, especially now that I'm going off my meds. The thing about therapy is that you'll often feel worse before you feel better. You have to work through painful stuff and that never feels good. Therapy might be a very good idea with the stressors in your life right now, but you should talk to your pdoc and even your dh about it if you're not sure.

I hope you have a good day.
(((Hugs)))

Kristen

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 1:18pm

Jodie:

I believe therapy depends on the person. I have gone several times since I have been dx'd when I have been in overly stressful times, but typically do not. HOWEVER, I also now see a great pdoc that does spend most of our session discussing my mental state and what is going on in my life. If you are feeling really stressed and have issues you feel you need to be working on, then yes, you should get a therapist, and I think that is true of anyone - bp or not. Having said that, if you get a therapist you are uncomfortable with or that you just can't seem to mesh with at all after a few sessions (I would say, personal opinion, at least 4) that you find a new one. Many times, the stress and anxiety of dealing with issues are stressed or uneasy over will make us feel physically ill or unhappy and that is something you DO just need to work through and discuss with the tdoc.

Good luck
Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 5:22pm
I totally suggest a good therapist. i went to a tdoc for 8 months and he swore i was not BP! i wasted 8 months cause this tdoc was incompetant. my GP finally suggested i get a second opinion and guess what? i was dx with BP. now that ive gotten the correct meds, i do feel much better. not great but better compared to before. i still have a long way to go but at least i feel like there just might be a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how fleeting.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Thu, 01-27-2005 - 8:31pm

Probably the most valuable thing I learned in therapy was a

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Fri, 01-28-2005 - 2:50pm

Jodie,


Sorry I'm late weighing in on this (both phoneline & internet were on the fritz yesterday).