theraphy when you don't feel you need it

[Ballerina123]

I've been very well for weeks now. No mood swings and no psychosis.
I've applied for a job and im taking my med as prescribed even though I feel like i don't need them.

I've learnt a lot of skills in the last few months and finally feel content and stable.

Thing is I've been referred to theraphy with my mental health team and been offered a place in a therapeutic community.
I don't feel sick enough to go. I don't feel sick at all. I really wonder what I would talk about and what I would get out of it.
I'm worried im just taking up a place on the waiting list for people who need it more.

I'm diagnosed schizoaffective disorder - bipolar type. But don't currently feel like i fit the criteria for that illness.

The waiting list is 6 months. Should I stay on the list just i have another episode or should I take myself off the list so other can move up it?

[Serendipity.]

I really think you should stay on the list.

It's great that you're doing well at the moment, and I don't want to take away from that at all - you deserve to be proud of yourself and feel good about it! But realistically, weeks is a pretty short period of time, and feeling good at the moment doesn't guarantee that things won't be difficult again in the future. There is no harm in staying on the waiting list - if the time comes when you're offered therapy, if you still don't feel you need it, you can decline the offer, but it is better than taking your name off the list and then having to start over if you do struggle in the future.

Additionally, particularly if you tend to cycle, I think therapy can sometimes be *more* effective when you're doing quite well because 1) you're more able to communicate effectively and take on board new ideas, 2) if it involves talking about difficult things, it can be better to be stable before beginning and 3) you can learn new skills, and if you put them into practice when you're well, it will mean you're less likely to relapse and more likely to be able to cope with it effectively if you do.

It is worth discussing with your team, but I really think that staying on the waiting list would be a good idea.

[sherlock holmes]

I agree with the others. Stay on the list and decide when your place comes up.

Like Hannah said, you've done well to stay stable over recent weeks and take your medication. But in terms of mental illness, and your diagnosis, weeks is a very short space of time. Hopefully you will remain stable for months, but you need to see how you are over the next 6 months. You could be in between episodes. Or you might not. It's too early to tell.

Therapy is always good to have whether you think you need it or not as you can learn valuable skills that you might need in the future!

[Steel Maiden]

Stay on the list. You don't know how you will be in a few months time.

[Ballerina123]

Thanks that's some good points. I'll stay on the list x

[Luna94]

A therapeutic community can have beneficial impacts. No matter what your diagnosis. if you feel you need that input, it's worth it. I believe you will strive in that atmosphere. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed, you have any right just as any other person does. Go for it.

[Ballerina123]

Thank luna84 that inspiring. I'll do my best x