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Posted 7/1/2009 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
thanks to my aunt i joined this forum. ive been struggling with depression and bipolar disorder since i was about 12 years old, give or take. i am now 19 going on 20. i have 1 or 2 visits with the therapist ive been seeing for the past year, but she is moving this july to arizona. my therapist before i saw for 9 years. i hate having to go to someone new and start all over. anyways, lately ive been feeling the urge to cut like i use to compulsively. i havent done it in a year or more. instead i replaced it with cigarettes, alcohol, weed, and sex. now im down to little alcohol, no cigarettes, more weed, and less sex. so i guess thats progressing? anyways, are there any books out there on bipolar that anyone suggests? i mean, i live with the disorder but i still feel confused about it. i dont want to use the disorder for an excuse for my actions. thanks for listening. -olivia
Posted 7/1/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Olivia,

Welcome to HealingWell and to the bipolar board. We're glad you're here. One book I always recommend is The Bipolar Survival Guide by David Miklowitz. It's the one I rely on. At the top of the Bipolar Forum page there's a sticky thread called "Bipolar Resources" and there's a list of books and websites people have recommended in there. You might check that out.

I'm sorry you have to find a new therapist. That's always a royal pain. Did she recommend anyone new to you?

Thanks for joining,
serafena
Posted 7/1/2009 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick response and the recommendation! She is going to recommend me someone who is also closer, which is nice.
Posted 7/1/2009 11:45 AM (GMT 0)

Hi oliveoyyl,

Welcome to our place. 

I'm glad your therapist is recommending a new therapist for you to take her place.  Awesome that they will be closer too.  I hope that works out well for you. blush

Posted 7/1/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for the warm welcoming :)
Posted 7/1/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there oliveoyyl. This forum really helps for when you just need to get things out. If you ever feel the need to cut, post something on here FIRST, please. I'm almost always on and I've had that same problem for years now, so hopefully I can give you a few pointers sometimes. Hope you have a good day.

Lindz
Posted 7/1/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
thank you. lindz. do you have any pointers for what to do instead? i mean, ive been resisting but the urge keeps getting stronger.
Posted 7/2/2009 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there Oliveoyll. You can get a rubber band and put it around your wrist and snap it, hold an ice cube in one hand or both and squeeze, scratch where you want to cut, but don't break the skin. I also found hitting a punching bag works good. Even if it's a small one, don't put any gloves on and just punch the heck out of it! Also, crying helps. If you have to put on a sad cd and just let the tears roll. You will feel better afterward, I promise. Some people say drawing on yourself with a red felt-tip marker where you want to cut helps. I hope some of these things help you.

Lindz
Posted 7/2/2009 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome oliveoyyl!

This place is great and helps a lot! My husband was diagnosed with BP and this site got me through a very difficult time.

I understand what you are going through with your therapist moving. My therapist also just moved and even though I was only with her for three months, I too was worried about starting over with someone new. But at our last appointment she had a bunch of paperwork that we went through. I think it was called a patient plan but I'm not sure. Anyway, it had her recommendations for my continued therapy, what the goals of my therapy are and stuff like that. I also had to sign saying that I was giving her permission to discuss my case with another therapist in order to give the new one background information as well as my files. Perhaps your therapist can do this for you also.

And those suggestions that Lindz gave sound good. Don't cut yourself - come here and post!

BPWife
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