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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 10/19/2010 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm going to school to be a psychologist. I really thought it was what i wanted to do. now i'm second guessing myself because all my classes keep talking about how disabling it is to have an Axis II disorder like mine. My psychiatrist calls me borderline skizo-affective and says he's diagnosing me lightly with bipolar 1 with psychosis. that was almost 2 years ago i was dx'ed.
Do ya'll think that someone with our kind of problems can be a psychologist?? Would you want to go to a psychologist if u knew they were bipolar??? I know it's stressful and everything but I really want to do it, but I may not be capable...i'm just lost right now about it.
my delusions are back..well they really haven't gone away. i caught myself talking out loud to myself in the grocery store again...talking to someone who isn't there...i just don't know if i should do this.

any advice is much appreciated.
Posted 10/19/2010 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Have you talked to your therapist about this? What did they say? I say follow your heart. A lot of psychologists see psychiatrist and other psychologists. You sound very intelligent and like you would be very compassionate. I say try it. But that is just my opinion.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/19/2010 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I need to talk to my psychologist about this more...I mentioned it last time but that was it. I got see my psychiatrist next week and will talk to him about it.
Posted 10/19/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeny! One our members who has been away is a therapist/couples counselor. :) I remember her saying she was getting some symptoms like "verbal vommit" and wondering how it would affect her. Sounded like she was good enough at her job that her clients didn't mind her quirks.

*I* would immediately switch to a psychologist who has had ANY mental illness and that can identify with me.

I saw a social worker for part of a free psych care program. I hated her. Until we got to chatting one day and she shared that she had been a cutter. After that I began to like and trust her. I was disappointed when I got health insurance and was kicked out of the program.

You know how to take care of you. Do that and I'm confident you will be able to help many other people as well.

(((hugs)))
Posted 10/19/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Well, would like to see someone who could identify with, but then again would always be worried that they were in the midst of a swing and question their judgment. but thats me.

I became an RN because I wanted to help and care for people. My career was short-lived because it was so depressisng, and I have a huge problem seperating sympathy from empathy. Very important. Also did not have a thick skin. People would say don't let it bother you, I didn't let it, it just barged in and took over.

In retrospect, there were other areas I could have switched to that would have been easier to bear. You should go to a career counsellor at your school and see if there are similar options for you to pursue other than seeing patients as a Psychologist. Everyone I have ever known personally who pursued Social work, for example, has had a very difficult time with employment because those areas are sometimes volatile, and sad, leaving them feeling helpless when they wanted to offer hope. Life decisions are difficult, but can always be altered.

Good that you are thinking about this.

Good luck,
Posted 10/20/2010 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
You have a very good question.  If you get into the testing area of psychology, doing assessment tests such as psych-educational, that might be a good fit.  I have studied that area and as dry as it might sound, it is really interesting.  I am 46 and was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1.5 years ago.  Struggled with depression for some time before that and not knowing it, some of the symptoms of bipolar.  I am a counselor. I had to be hospitalized in March and was out of work really for 6 months total, with some starts and stops in there.  I am still recovering and struggle with depression every day.  I also have some very stressful personal issues going on.  It is very difficult to counsel when I am feeling so bad.  If I knew then what I know now about my mental health, I don't know that I would have chosen this route (I am saying this from a depressed place).  I also struggle with feeling like a fraud with my clients - counseling them when I am feeling so bad - but it is my livelihood.  I know the advantage is that it gives me a unique perspective in understanding my clients' issues.  Just know that it is very difficult when one has an illness that causes such variability in one's own mental health.
Posted 10/20/2010 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
soleilun, you have a good point. i'm usually in a depressive state now that i'm on my meds. it will be very difficult to counsel from that perspective. i'm so afraid my psychosis will come back too - that it my main stressor. I could see this causing problems down the road. perhaps your right Sandy, looking into different aspects of psychology might be the way to go...
WOW so much to think about! i'm in a place were, if i go back to work, i'm going to have to switch careers as there's nothing in my current line of work for me (i was a graphic artist).

Thanks all!
Posted 10/20/2010 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
There are Psychology jobs that aren't clinical psychologist or talk therapist. How about research? Find some solutions for us, please. :) Who knows - you might find the perfect meds combination and have no problem with working in the field.
Posted 10/20/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jeny, I personally think it's VERY possible but maybe I'm biast because Im also a psych major! What could make someone more passionate about a job then helping someone through what we are now going through? These classes we take don't just look at learning the information for a potential job, but for yourself. My psych teacher told me Id make a wonderful clinical psychologist(although I like criminal and neuro) because I had passion for the field and could relate to patients. Don't doubt yourself, I wake up some mornings thinking "what am I doing?!" but then I remember how much I love te classes and I know I'm going into the right field.
Posted 10/21/2010 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks DoUTripOnAir!! that makes me feel soooo much better cuz i do LOVE the classes...they are so great!
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