I have a bipolar diagnosis and have struggled with my mental health for years and also was admitted to a psychiatric ward about 18 months ago for a month or so. I used to self-harm regularly and have been to such depths I thought I would never feel well again or lead a productive life.
I had always been told that since bipolar is a 'chemical' illness, only medication can address it. I have found this not to be true. The psychiatrist who looked after me when I was in hospital said that she strongly felt that psychotherapy would help me get better and reduce the possibility of further admissions. However, when I got home my own psychiatrist was unwilling to refer me for reasons known only to her.
So to cut to the chase, I have found a private psychotherapist who is absolutely brilliant and has helped me so much in just 4 months. She said she thought I need 12-24 months of work. I see her every week. Since then I have gradually felt that I am healing on the inside - other people have noticed how much better I am. We talk about my relationship with my parents and with others and she is so understanding and non-judgmental. I feel so much better I can't even describe it.
Sometimes there are 'difficult' bits to get through - I experienced flashbacks but they did not last. Afterwards I feel better. Since I was a child I got feelings of deep 'foreboding' like something bad was about to happen. These feelings are going away and I am starting to feel happy about my life.
I just wanted to share this with all of you - because you could get better too this way (I know we're all different). But I never imagined just how much this could help me. If you find the right person for you it can work wonders, honestly.
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Mental health
I want to champion the effects of counseling / psychotherapy for all of us who are /have been unwell
14 replies
electra · 08/12/2010 12:27
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