For backstory, I have Bipolar 2 with seasonal affective, ADHD, anxiety with repetitive behaviors, sensory issues, etc, that are all clinically diagnosed and have been reassessed via testing. I've had good and bad therapists as well as modalities that haven't worked for me. I don't think therapy has changed much. I didn't do well with CBT but at least I was given homework. When I was first diagnosed, they didn't give me any information on Bipolar. At least now, my current psych is willing to give out resources, books, sites etc. He doesn't have to give me anything because I now have 17 years of info behind me. The best thing for my mental health was hobbies or a purpose WITH my medications, and my husband to be the logical, analytical one who essentially tells me to calm the hell down. Even medicated and "in remission" I still have perspective, irritability, and being overwhelmed kind of problems with my bipolar. It's constantly a work in progress.
I'm about to see how in home therapy is for my teen. His anxiety is still really bad even with meds and outpatient therapy. He has to try out a supplement for his skin and nail picking and he constantly fidgets.
On confrontation, I sometimes don't say anything because my brain just doesn't kick back like it used to. Other times, my anger jumps forward before my logwidgets. I'm pretty much only blunt with my husband. I don't have in person friends. 🤷♀️. I find all this, like you said, "couldn't find a parking spot" anxiety to be very frustrating, and it makes me irritated because I'm trying to get services for my son who is in ED treatment and severely anxious. (Anxiety is apart of arfid unfortunately).
I don't know if any of that answers any questions.
I think you nailed it with finding meaning and purpose and essentially finding meaningful ways to structure our time. For panic disorder and anorexia that’s been key for me, too—- not only helps to nip the spiraling in the bud, but is a nice replacement for the compulsiveness and impulsivity. Glad to hear you found something that works for you… can’t imagine the trial and error that must have taken. And it really makes you think—— if there is any other way to go about therapy differently, what would that even look like? Should therapy be more holistic and include things that you mentioned, like finding strong support and meaningful hobbies? It’s a question I keep coming up on the more evaluations I have to do and the more clients I’m given. Kind of sad, when it comes down to it… but, as you also said —- management of the symptoms is ultimately on each individual person and always a work in progress. Appreciate your insight as usual!!! 😻😻😻
Yes, finding a replacement for compulsions has been hard. I struggle with mild trichotillomania. I used to use makeup as a way to make myself not touch my eyebrows or eyelashes. It didn't always work. Now my teen has developed the skin and nail picking. We put him in TKD for a hobby and esteem booster. He's been bullied lately and we are trying to deal with that at school. I've had an uptick in my anxiety due to that and my autistic son needing surgery. I've been awaiting spring so I can garden again. I keep nudged about going back to therapy and I kept asking why and then finally just saying No, I'm not. I don't see a point. I'm also supposed to be in PT, but I just don't have the time or money. So, I learned to crochet and I'm learning to embroider too. Pretty soon all my obsessive anxiety gets transferred to tomato plants 🪴 🤣
Hey Kayla 👋 again.
For backstory, I have Bipolar 2 with seasonal affective, ADHD, anxiety with repetitive behaviors, sensory issues, etc, that are all clinically diagnosed and have been reassessed via testing. I've had good and bad therapists as well as modalities that haven't worked for me. I don't think therapy has changed much. I didn't do well with CBT but at least I was given homework. When I was first diagnosed, they didn't give me any information on Bipolar. At least now, my current psych is willing to give out resources, books, sites etc. He doesn't have to give me anything because I now have 17 years of info behind me. The best thing for my mental health was hobbies or a purpose WITH my medications, and my husband to be the logical, analytical one who essentially tells me to calm the hell down. Even medicated and "in remission" I still have perspective, irritability, and being overwhelmed kind of problems with my bipolar. It's constantly a work in progress.
I'm about to see how in home therapy is for my teen. His anxiety is still really bad even with meds and outpatient therapy. He has to try out a supplement for his skin and nail picking and he constantly fidgets.
On confrontation, I sometimes don't say anything because my brain just doesn't kick back like it used to. Other times, my anger jumps forward before my logwidgets. I'm pretty much only blunt with my husband. I don't have in person friends. 🤷♀️. I find all this, like you said, "couldn't find a parking spot" anxiety to be very frustrating, and it makes me irritated because I'm trying to get services for my son who is in ED treatment and severely anxious. (Anxiety is apart of arfid unfortunately).
I don't know if any of that answers any questions.
I think you nailed it with finding meaning and purpose and essentially finding meaningful ways to structure our time. For panic disorder and anorexia that’s been key for me, too—- not only helps to nip the spiraling in the bud, but is a nice replacement for the compulsiveness and impulsivity. Glad to hear you found something that works for you… can’t imagine the trial and error that must have taken. And it really makes you think—— if there is any other way to go about therapy differently, what would that even look like? Should therapy be more holistic and include things that you mentioned, like finding strong support and meaningful hobbies? It’s a question I keep coming up on the more evaluations I have to do and the more clients I’m given. Kind of sad, when it comes down to it… but, as you also said —- management of the symptoms is ultimately on each individual person and always a work in progress. Appreciate your insight as usual!!! 😻😻😻
Yes, finding a replacement for compulsions has been hard. I struggle with mild trichotillomania. I used to use makeup as a way to make myself not touch my eyebrows or eyelashes. It didn't always work. Now my teen has developed the skin and nail picking. We put him in TKD for a hobby and esteem booster. He's been bullied lately and we are trying to deal with that at school. I've had an uptick in my anxiety due to that and my autistic son needing surgery. I've been awaiting spring so I can garden again. I keep nudged about going back to therapy and I kept asking why and then finally just saying No, I'm not. I don't see a point. I'm also supposed to be in PT, but I just don't have the time or money. So, I learned to crochet and I'm learning to embroider too. Pretty soon all my obsessive anxiety gets transferred to tomato plants 🪴 🤣