Therapist with clients who have bipolar disorder? Start early and talk about the importance of continuing therapy when mania shows up. Here is an example of what you can say to a client who is stable or depressed:
We know that therapy helps when you’re feeling down. We also know that mania tells most people that everything is fine and bipolar is no longer a problem. Let’s figure out how to recognize the signs that mania is starting. Here are a few things your brain will say to you when the mania is taking over. Our goal is to make sure you continue with therapy even when your brain says the following:
” Oh! I feel so good! I’m getting so much done. The depression is finally gone! I don’t think it was bipolar after all. The diagnosis was wrong. I certainly don’t need to sit and talk about my problems. They are gone. Therapy is expensive and a waste of time. I’m going to cancel my appointment.”
I ask that you see this as a sign that the mania is taking over. This kind of thinking is when you need to see me so that we can prevent the mania from going too far. We can stop the terrible depression that follows by stopping the mania.
I wrote Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder for anyone interested in learning how to manage bipolar on a daily basis. It has a specific plan that I follow in my own life. Asking a client to read a chapter a week gives a good topic of discussion for each session.
Thank you for our work with all of us!
Julie
