Posted by gardenergirl on June 30, 2006, at 9:26:06 [reposted on July 2, 2006, at 2:42:59 | original URL]
In reply to Re: BPD and Paul J. Markovitz, posted by Deneb on June 26, 2006, at 18:45:11
> I suppose I don't like the idea of there being something wrong with my brain that can't be fixed with therapy alone.
I go through periods when I start feeling down realizing that I'll always have atypical depression, and likely will always need medication. When I start feeling that way I can get down on myself, which then feeds the depression. The best way I know to get past that is to remind myself how much better I am on medication, and since I started therapy.
Therapy alone can do a great deal of good. Therapy plus medication can be ever better, depending on the diagnosis and individual's needs. I know your pdoc spends time with you and that you think highly of her. In my experience, though, meeting with a therapist for 30 minutes every two weeks or less often is not enough time to do the work effectively, particularly if part of that time is spent on medication management.
There's a certain flow to a 45 or 50 minute session, with a beginning where you talk about what's been going on, the middle or meat of the session, where you get down to the work, and the end where you start to wrap up and plan for next time. In 30 minutes, there's not a lot of time for the work, and then if the next session is not for two weeks or more, I think the momentum and continuity are impeded.
I would encourage you to ask her for a referral to someone who can see you at least weekly. I think you might be surprised how much you can accomplish with enough momentum and time. I think it's worth a shot. What do you think?
I actually made the most progress and "turned the corner" when I went through a period of time going twice a week.
Wishing you the best care you can get...
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:663400
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060623/msgs/663401.html