Bipolar Disorder - Hello everyone I just joined the group today, I have always had bi-polar and it?

Dear glomc64,

Welcome to the group and as Maso says we are a supportive crew. I have been bipolar as long as I can remember and on disability since 1996. Getting therapy when you need it is well worth a phone call to your insurance carrier and find out what the problem is. Might just be that the facility doesn't take your insurance rather than the other way around. Don't know but definitely worth a few phone calls.

I have learned to keep myself active through my volunteer work. It gets me out of myself, allows me the joy of helping others, and honestly is great therapy. Since it is volunteer I can control how much or how little I work and if I experience too much stress I can back off. Although I don't get paid, the rewards are awesome.

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Are you on medicinal therapy as well? I have found that the correct combination of medicines was crucial to my recovery. I have been stable for many years now. Of course, I still have some ups and downs, but not like I use to.

Here to help anyway possible. Keep us posted on how things progress,

Laurie

Your absolutely right! People aren't educated in bipolar disorder. So, consequently, their ignorant. I'm an Extreme Agoraphobic. I have Extreme BPD 1. I only leave my apartment with my daughter. I understand the desire to be totally away from negativity. Can anyone feel what you're feeling? Not unless their inside of you. That's exactly why were here for you, because we DO understand. If I could say one thing that would help you immediately, it would be "Breathe." Your persevering to get treatment, and you'll get it. Can you take a few days off? I was committed by the state into a psychiatric unit. This was after I spent 6 mos. on the streets. My tax dollars paid for my being a crazy woman. The city, county and state will find a resource for you. You have to do what your doing right now. Persevere. You've probably already found a counselor. Selah Pause. Silence. Take a break.

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God bless the insurance company whose denying you coverage, because they need our prayers to stop being idiots. You bet your sweet bippy, were here for you. Just hollar. Man, you wouldn't believe how knowledgeable and versed many of our friends, are. They dedicate their lives to helping us. They research medications, and illnesses and try to put them together to give us accurate answers, AND, they do it with compassion. Just like your going to do for us when we have a problem. So, feel comfortable in our arms. God bless, Anna

Hello glomc64 & welcome to the site. First of all I want you to know I have read all the answes you have already gotten & gave them all a thumbs up, which is our way of saying, 'great answer'! I do not have bipolar disorder, but my husband does along with may medical conditions. We both are on disability, He since he was 32 & me since 1990. I don't undestand either why you are being refused support or therapy. If you live in the States, you should be on Medicare, & I know for a fact they will cover physichiatrist visits, as my husband sees his every 6 weeks. Is it a secondary insurance issue? We are lucky to have great insurace between the medicare & our secondary from his previous employment, but understand not everyone does. I have been in therapy myself a few years ago to learn to deal with the problems associated with not being able to work anymore & to learn more about my husbands bipolar. My insurance was not a problem.

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We also have a clinic here where I live that goes on a sliding scale for fee which basically means they go by income for payment. I believe this is available most places. Just call around & ask. I think you will find this is a great support site, & many suffer from this condition. You will make a lot of friends, & all are here to offer support & friendship including myself. I joined this particular group to help me learn as much as possible about bipolar to help me understand what it is my husband is going through each day of his life. I wish you the best, & hope you feel welcome enough to join in our discussions & maybe help others along the way. Welcome again...

Hi, Welcome and a hug too! Sounds like you need it! I too, know the frustration, etc.I have Bipolar II.and for years didnt know, b/c I never had insurance, or little coverage that would'nt pay for a Psych.. As for therapy, I would find out from your insurance if you can get or speak to a case manager, who can also help you appeal your rejected claim, because you need/want more help, they should be willing to help you.In my state, there is a law against discrimination to anyone with a mental health illness that is verifiable by a Mental health professional. I'd look into it..

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Also, my Insurance has a separate Mental Health Affiliate that has its own special website where I can investigate services I may need and a directory of professionals in my network, which is a lot quicker for me to get some info,before I may need to call them.I hope my ideas may help, I know it sucks to have to motivate, and take time to do all these kinds of things, but its definitely worth it to be a pain in the*** to get them to take note.[Especially b/c then they'll
remember you! LOL!] I try not to get rude though..Keep posted too..:) J

Hello glom, and welcome to DC! I am so sorry you are having these issues due to insurance. I know that being disabled is a frustrating journey through the medical community. Not everyone takes straight Medicare or the supplement insurance which is now United Healthcare (assuming you are in the U.S.). There was a time when my psychiatrist could just put me in the hospital if I needed psych care. NOT ANY MORE!!! And, it has been that way for many years now. You didn't mention if you were taking medication because that is so important in getting your condition under control. There are many people on this site who are bipolar I or II. You didn't mention which one you were. I think it is so important to have psychiatric care and counseling. I did want to mention that posting this question/concern as "direct" limits how many times we can respond... which is once. If you post a question as "conversational" then we can interact more.

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Just a thought when posting in the future so that you can get as much feedback as possible. I know you didn't know that. You get to make that selection just before you hit the "submit" button, okay? And, again... welcome to the site and I hope you find what you are looking for in a support group. If not, if you would like to private message with me... I can give you an alternative. I will "friend" you and if you also "friend" me, I will be able to share some other information with you.

Mary