When there's nothing more from Services?

[Fire Fly]

Just want some help and advice really please. I've been having some issues with my recovery team and dont know where I stand and what I can do.

Basically recently a couple of weeks ago I was IP for a three weeks due to thinking the government were tracking me and out to kill me. My meds were increased and that was also my antidepressant. It sort of sent me into a energetic state again, which im still in. I've been thinking I've been doing well since getting two jobs and working 20 hours a week.

Since coming out of hospital in July (where I was having a 'mixed' episode), my therapist was trying to push me into doing further more intense DBT but I felt that I got as much as I could out of it when I did the groups and finished it in Feb'14. She then went on annual leave and I got allocated another care coordinator (sw) who seems to be fresh out of uni and doesnt know what she is doing. It really isnt working with her and I have given up in trying to make it work and espcially when Im like this and have too much to do. She said as she was now becoming head of DBT in my trust she was unable to see me for much longer but a new Psychologist would start to work with me in December.

I received a call from my therapist today to say that herself, her boss, another DBT facilitator and my CC have spoken and are unsure what from a psychology point of view can do. I didnt know what to say and was sort of shocked by the news but as I was also having a job interview day (you know where theres millions of tasks and stuff), I asked if we could rearrange the call. Im speaking to her on Wednesday. She said with the vioces and my 'manic' symptoms being back she felt I wasn't stable at all. But I don't know how that is possible?

What do I do? Since moving from the assessment team to the recovery team, my care has been everywhere and I've been in and out of hospital and on almost all my admissions they have all said because of whats happened they feel that medication goes hand in hand with therapy but if therapy are saying 'you're too ****ed up' where does that leave me? Also as my SW isnt that great at her job she is making comments that are not 'pro' recovery and make me cry (which is hard)... So where does this leave me?

Thank you if you have read all that ^^. I really do appreciate anything. A hug or someone just saying 'you'll be okay' because although I feel happy and amazing I also feel that i'm too screwed up.

[Epicene]

I really sympathise with you, and I think it really will be okay. I don't have bipolar but a lot of what you said resonates with my own experience. Earlier in the year I spent a long time IP, partly because services were stuck with what to offer (especially from a psychology point of view). They felt I was too high risk, I'd already done DBT and they didn't think there were any local services that were appropriate. This was the point of view of ward staff and the psychology service I was under. As it happened, another service eventually stepped in and they've been brilliant. I was offered CAT and it's a therapy that is very containing for me, and also accommodates my symptoms like hearing voices. I was completely suicidal because I felt I was beyond help, but in the end it just took a bit more thought on behalf of the professionals seeing me.

If psychological input is something you think you would benefit from, do share that with them. They do have a responsibility of care, and if they feel stuck then you are within your rights to tell them how bad that makes you feel. Although you're still struggling to stabilise your moods it sounds like you are coping with things such as work and that should indicate some degree of stability. Hearing voices doesn't mean you cant have therapy and it might just be you really need to push for what you want. But things really can get better.

[youonlyliveonce]

In an ideal world Hun what would you like from services

[Ballerina123]

In an ideal world Hun what would you like from services
this

if you can identify what you think will help you can request it.

unfortunately sometimes you can get a not so good cc but its good to tell them that you are not finding them helpful and have a conversation about how they can help you more. sometimes they think they are helping when a conversation about it would clear the air a bit.

If youre unstable I can see why they dont want to do therapy becasue there is some evidence to suggest that you need to be in a good state of mind to take on the responsibility of therapy. that maybe what they are thinking.

to be honest if they know you have bipolar Im really suprised they are treating you with anti depressants. it seem counter productive to me. could you bring up that you may be better on a mood stabiliser?

also meds only help with some symptoms. you may find learning some self management skills for your bipolar helpful. could you buy a self help book and maybe ask your cc or a friend to go through it with you so you can teach yourself some skills and not need the team so much.

but I do think identifying what you want from your team might be a good place to start.

[Fire Fly]

Thank you for your replies.

I want to eventually come of medication. I know therapy goes hand in hand with medication. I'm finding it hard to get anywhere with my care coordinator. Im not too sure what to do? Should I call the team manager tomorrow?

I want to be stable on meds and be able to work. I got a new job with British Airways and that starts in Feb so I want to be super by the time that comes so I guess trying to control my illness. I want support like i used to get with my old CC.

I went back to the Dr in the Priory as I wasnt getting anywhere and my dad wanted to sort my meds out. he was so surprised what the psych prescribed. I thought it was slightly weird what she wanted to do. I think what he sasy to do will tred slightly with the recovery team although he will try to be careful. He wanted to see me intensly as an outpatient because we couldnt afford IP although I know it will be longer to change meds being Outpatient but its not to different to what I was with him.

Just dont know what to do about my cc.

[Ballerina123]

Wanting to eventually be off meds is a good goal but remember you need to be stable on meds for years before that can happen so maybe it woul be better to think about a more short term goal like getting the right meds at the lowest dose possible.

My psych told me that once stabilized on medication it is best to stay on them 3-5 years before coming off and still staying stable. so that is something to consider.

I didnt quite understand the 3rd paragraph in your post. did the Priory dr say you shouldnt be on anti depressants? is that what you meant?

are the recovery team able to give you the same amount of support as the assessment team? have you asked them?

have you thought about support groups to help you build self managment skills? there are a lot of bipolar and eating disorder support groups in london (you can contact me about them if you want to know more).
that would give you more support without expecting it from your team.


It is really good that you have got a job. I hope it goes well so you can have a good career and that may help your mental health improve.