Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 85

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist

Posted by Sarahmarie on May 22, 2002, at 21:30:24

Well, tomorrow I go to my therapist and I will discuss this issue with her about BPD, everyone has been so helpful which is helping me to make this move. The problem is I do not want to end up with a full day of depression if she still holds to her diagnosis. So any encouragement you can send my way would be greatly appreciated.

SarahMarie

 

Re: Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist » Sarahmarie

Posted by sid on May 22, 2002, at 21:49:29

In reply to Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist, posted by Sarahmarie on May 22, 2002, at 21:30:24

Sarahmarie,
bring all the info you can with you. Test results, arguments why you don't think you fit the profile, etc.
You can tell her you're open to figure out what you problems are, but you don't think this is it. Or perhaps it is it (although from your writings here I have my doubts, but then I'm no specialist), and then you would need to be tested. Are you open to that? A thorough evaluation? If so, then let her know...

In any case, good luck. Whatever happens, treat yourself to something good after. A movie, an ice cream cone in a park, etc. And do not obsess on whatever happens there. Set it aside ASAP until your next appointment. Force your mind onto something else, otherwise you just hurt yourself. Be your best friend!

- sid

 

Re: Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist » sid

Posted by Sarahmarie on May 22, 2002, at 22:04:45

In reply to Re: Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist » Sarahmarie, posted by sid on May 22, 2002, at 21:49:29

Thank you Sid for the encouraging words. I have started pulling together all the information I collected over the internet and my Meyers-Briggs Personality scores. I am open to being fully tested or whatever it takes to either confirm whether or not this my diagnosis. I really think my severe depression gets in the way of being able to sort me out. Add to that OCD and I guess I am pretty complex. I will remember your advice and try and do something nice after the therapy session is over. I'll certainly post a follow-up to how it went.

 

We'll be thinking of you today ! (nm) » Sarahmarie

Posted by sid on May 23, 2002, at 9:13:30

In reply to Re: Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist » sid, posted by Sarahmarie on May 22, 2002, at 22:04:45

 

Let us know how you are feeling and how it went - (nm) » Sarahmarie

Posted by sid on May 23, 2002, at 20:53:37

In reply to Re: Encouragement Needed to deal with Therapist » sid, posted by Sarahmarie on May 22, 2002, at 22:04:45

 

Re: Let us know how you are feeling and how it went - » sid

Posted by Sarahmarie on May 23, 2002, at 22:14:57

In reply to Let us know how you are feeling and how it went - (nm) » Sarahmarie, posted by sid on May 23, 2002, at 20:53:37

Thank you for all your support. My therapist and I discussed it a lot more detail than I thought she would allow. I told my biggest concern was that I thought that she thought the BPD was my major diagnosis. She admitted that there was a time when she thought that, however, she has changed her mind considers major depression (currently in remission) and OCD (currently under some control) as my primary diagnoses. However, she still seems to think that on the Axis II I am BPD. I brought in my Myers-Briggs test scores which put me at an ISTJ personality. She wrote some notes down and did not comment on whether this would change her diagnosis of me re: BPD.

I felt a little bad when I left but I took a Lorazepam right at the time I left and it probably helped. I am not sure how far to push this issue with her. I didn't really get to the point to ask what BPD traits of mine could be fixed. But I did tell her that the diagnosis was similar to a medical diagnosis of Lupus. People with Lupus look fine on the outside and then when the Lupus errupts --- its horrible. She seems to think that the Prozac and Lorazepam along with trazadone at night are keeping the BPD parts of me under control. My next thought is to ask her to tell me what BDP characteristic she sees that I have and let us discuss a game plan on how to fix it. Maybe I'll try that next time. I'll keep you posted over the weekend, because that's when I'm likely to slide a little into depression. I do have symptoms of a Migraine tonight so I will go to bed. I am just so glad that Dr. Bob came up with this concept. Everybody's positive thoughts really help.
SarahMarie

 

This week... » Sarahmarie

Posted by sid on May 24, 2002, at 8:07:04

In reply to Re: Let us know how you are feeling and how it went - » sid, posted by Sarahmarie on May 23, 2002, at 22:14:57

Hi Sarahmarie,
here's what I think your strategy ought to be for this week (and possibly the next ones).

In the therapists' office, you discuss all these things (namely BPD), you reserve some LIMITED time in the week to think about it, take notes, prepare your next session (say, 1 hour per day?).

The rest of the time, you treat yourself well, do things you like, think of the things you enjoy in life, do things you enjoy, see people you love, etc. In other words, you LIVE and enjoy life! Do not obsess on the BPD issue, you'll just hurt yourself and make yourself miserable. There is more to life than that, and you have so much to learn, do, feel - make sure that outside of this LIMITED time you take to deal with the therapy issues, you have fun and enjoy life.

How about that for a recovery plan? Try it at least, I think it can be good for you! And anyone else who's in therapy.

Have a good week!

- sid

 

Re: This week... » sid

Posted by Sarahmarie on May 24, 2002, at 9:55:12

In reply to This week... » Sarahmarie, posted by sid on May 24, 2002, at 8:07:04

> Hi Sarahmarie,
> here's what I think your strategy ought to be for this week (and possibly the next ones).
>
> In the therapists' office, you discuss all these things (namely BPD), you reserve some LIMITED time in the week to think about it, take notes, prepare your next session (say, 1 hour per day?).
>
> The rest of the time, you treat yourself well, do things you like, think of the things you enjoy in life, do things you enjoy, see people you love, etc. In other words, you LIVE and enjoy life! Do not obsess on the BPD issue, you'll just hurt yourself and make yourself miserable. There is more to life than that, and you have so much to learn, do, feel - make sure that outside of this LIMITED time you take to deal with the therapy issues, you have fun and enjoy life.
>
> How about that for a recovery plan? Try it at least, I think it can be good for you! And anyone else who's in therapy.
>
> Have a good week!
>
> - sid


Thanks, Sid for the advice. I am feeling better this morning -- no migraine thank goodness. I decided to get early and put my house in order. I am having an appraisal done today and although my house won't be perfect at least the kitchen is clean and some of the clutter organized. I decided to keep myself very busy over this weekend. So I will take a day trip to visit a friend and she is taking me out to dinner for a belated birthday celebration. I think setting time limits to think about the BPD (Borderline issue) is a good idea. If I think about or rather obsess about it I just feel awful and get very depressed. The migraine for me is usually a symptom that I need to take better care of myself. Thank you again for your help. If I have a hard time, I'll post again, Okay!!
SarahMarie

 

Re: This week...

Posted by Chocoholic on June 7, 2002, at 20:06:28

In reply to Re: This week... » sid, posted by Sarahmarie on May 24, 2002, at 9:55:12

Sarahmarie-

I know how it feels to be labeled, since I have bipolar disorder, but please remember you are a person, not a diagnosis. My therapist has told me that those labels are essentially meaningless except for insurance purposes (DSM IV).It's the person and her symptoms that get treated, not some preconceived and prepackaged symptoms.
Also, my psychiatrist told me that BPD is a catch-all for when doctors can't come up with other diagnoses, and often with the right medications, those "objectionable" personality traits go away or are ameliorated.

I don't know why your therapist is so set on trying to prove a diagnosis,anyway! But please don't fret--those important to you will love you for whoever you are! And you can work on what you feel is important to change for your own well-being.

Chocoholic


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