Comments on: The Importance of How We Explain Things http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar-advantage/2010/02/the-importance-of-how-we-explain-things/ A blog exploring the positive aspects of bipolar disorder. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:28:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Dale Hankins http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar-advantage/2010/02/the-importance-of-how-we-explain-things/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Dale Hankins Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:24:00 +0000 http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar-advantage/?p=117#comment-43 "...they need to have many paths to travel down in their efforts to understand their bipolar condition and its meaning for them and their families and their lives..." AMEN. I have been treated for bipolar disorder for 12 years and my psychological work up indicates that I likely suffered from BP from early childhood. One of my main gripes about treatment is the "all or nothing", "black or white" outlook of those involved in the mental health field. Many therapists are vehemently opposed to medications, many psychiatrists are dismissive of therapists, and many neuroscientists view my brain the same way a mechanic looks at my car. I try to learn more about my illness in order to be more proactive in its treatment, but this is very difficult. People often are so interested in proving that their theory or treatment is the ONE single correct one that I feel like I am being torn asunder...who am I to believe? Some days I feel like telling all mental health professionals to go .... themselves. I would do so if it would accomplish anything and if I could do it without being sent back to the hospital. So, here I go; put one foot in front of the other...take the pills, see the therapist, do what I can to help another person. Maybe one day the professionals will begin acting like professionals. :-) “…they need to have many paths to travel down in their efforts to understand their bipolar condition and its meaning for them and their families and their lives…”

AMEN.

I have been treated for bipolar disorder for 12 years and my psychological work up indicates that I likely suffered from BP from early childhood. One of my main gripes about treatment is the “all or nothing”, “black or white” outlook of those involved in the mental health field. Many therapists are vehemently opposed to medications, many psychiatrists are dismissive of therapists, and many neuroscientists view my brain the same way a mechanic looks at my car. I try to learn more about my illness in order to be more proactive in its treatment, but this is very difficult. People often are so interested in proving that their theory or treatment is the ONE single correct one that I feel like I am being torn asunder…who am I to believe? Some days I feel like telling all mental health professionals to go …. themselves. I would do so if it would accomplish anything and if I could do it without being sent back to the hospital. So, here I go; put one foot in front of the other…take the pills, see the therapist, do what I can to help another person. Maybe one day the professionals will begin acting like professionals. :-)

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