A
female
age
41-50,
*ristaPena
writes:Hi everyone, this question is for anyone who has experience of BPD, and the best available treatments. Please only answer if you have specific experience in this field. Basically, I have recently been offered a place on a three day a week treatment programme at a well known London hospital which is specifically designed for the treatment of personality disorders. The programme runs for two years, and as somebody with a diagnosis of bpd, my psychiatrist is recommending that I join this 'therapeutic community'. This is all well and good, bur I am currently training to be a nurse, and this will mean deferring my studies for two whole years, by which time I'll be in my mid thirties. Does this kind of very intensive, group focused treatment approach actually have a good track record, or what? I don't want to take two years out of my life for something that isn't going to give any real results. Apparently, everybody on the programme receives a combination of intensive group and individual therapy, and is assigned a personal therapist. Will this make any real difference to my life, or should I tell them I want far less intensive support? Any comments from people with therapeutic community experience much appreciated. Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, So_Very_Confused  +, writes (29 January 2013):
 I can't see how 2 years will be better than shorter term...
for me day programs are about getting your act together if you are in crisis and finding the right therapist and a good medication/therapy behavior mod mix that will work long term for the person.
Bipolar disoder is going to require medications and monitoring of meds which can be done on a monthly basis. A nice group once or twice a week to work on interpersonal skills and interpretations and personal therapy to work on coping techniques specific to your needs seems like plenty.
I have been in therapy on and off since age 9. I'm meeting a new therapist this afternoon to see if we are a good fit... in addition to a degree in psych....
I do not think that bipolar is a death sentence if properly managed. I also can't see devoting two years of your life to trying to fix something that is going to require constant care and adjustments over the years.
Is there another option or is your choice this or nothing?
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (29 January 2013): Can you ask for references from past or present patients so you can talk to those patients and ask them if they feel they are making good progress. Thats what my husband did before he chose to undergo a new peocedure for back surgery. I understand that you are willing to get treatment but want to know that this treatment actually is sound since it requires putting the rest of your life on hold. Is there a reason you cant continue your studies during that time or transfer to London for your studies?
...............................
A
female
reader, R1 +, writes (29 January 2013):
 Therapeutic communities are the next new thing I've been told (I work in a similar area). I've seen the benefit of these therapies but 2 years is very long I would have thought 6months to a year more appropriate.
You will need to base your decision on how well you cope with bpd at the moment, is it impacting on your career does your medication work, what about family/friends/relationships how are the affected.
My recommendation would be to ask if they have shorter options (there are often more options if you push for them) and if you could get a shorter option with continued support in the community afterwards go for it, after all this is the rest of your life you are talking about.
...............................
A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (29 January 2013):
 You're really asking a group of amateur agony aunts to provide really sophisticated guidance and counseling.
I have to ask, is there some reason you can't do what is best for yourself, as you seem to know already? Is there some reason you feel that doing nothing is better?
...............................
|
