Bipolar and TMSer

Hi All,

I have been working hard for the past few years with a TMS therapist. During my work, I had a breakdown. Have done lots of journaling and meditation.

The symptom imperative was genuinely crazy.

Back and neck pain with that crepitus crap + headaches -> insomnia -> further depression (was taking an antidepressant at the time) -> heavy suicidal ideation

Granted, I was under a lot of pressure and stress and I just exploded at a certain point.

I met with a psychiatrist at the recommendation of my TMS therapist after this breakdown. And after a thorough intake (7+ hours of meetings), I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The diagnosis makes some sense.

Does this preclude me from living a life without chronic pain (the symptoms I put too much weight on)? What do people on the post recommend? It seems that medication is advisable by all means. I’m currently taking Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Vraylar. It’s a cocktail of sorts.

I had been journaling and meditating for 3+ years. I’m lost in this process. And I don’t know where to go from here.

Wonderful TMS community, what would you recommend? Could it just be that I’ve been on improper meds? And should I continue with the work I had been doing? I truly don’t know.

 

Is your psychiatrist providing any sort of therapy beyond chemical therapy? Do you have a relationship with them?
My friend is bipolar and has dealt with what may be very short term tms symptoms. Her psychiatrist diagnosed her, but only provides chemical therapy. I suggested EMDR therapy as it is a mind body based therapy - she needs more than coaching. It helped another friend (who has OCD and no tms therapists in his country). It took him much linger to heal than many people, he still has OCD but manages it well. His physical symptoms of many ulcers have all healed.
I think in dealing with the tms you still need mind-body based work because general talk therapy or medications do not address some of the health anxiety and stress management. You could find a tms (or mind body)based psychiatrist that can also treat other symptoms or you could try doing the tmswiki programs as well as working with a traditional therapist.
I think you have some options. Therapists considered mind-body are those practicing Family Systems, EMDR or ISDTP. Some but not all may also be able to help with your bipolar diagnoses.

 

Hi Cactusflower, really appreciate your response! Psychiatrist is providing some psychotherapy, albeit I don’t know how aware he is of TMS principles. I’ve voiced the symptoms though.

I’ve been dealing with these symptoms for about 10 years or so.

I know you threw out a bunch of suggestions, but what would you prioritize? I’m willing to spend money on therapy.

I was considering the prospect of DBT therapy.

 

If you feel confident in the psychiatrist's diagnosis of bipolar, I would focus on that first. Get that under control and give the meds a little bit of time to work. Brain medications take a bit of time and sometimes things are worse before they are better.
Once that is under control, then I'd move onto the TMS work for any symptoms that may linger, but only if your psychiatrist is comfortable that you are ready to face your emotions.

If you are not confident in the diagnosis, you could also get a second opinion on the bipolar to make sure it wasn't you accidentally describing bi-polar symptoms because of some familiarity with the condition. Sometimes we read about a condition, think it kind of matches us and then our brain takes that on. When it really is not so.

Either way, if it was me I would deal with the bi-polar issue first. There is always time to move onto TMS focus once things are semi sorted.

 

DBT therapy is not, to my knowledge a mind-body focused therapy. To help you with TMS you need a mind-body in formed therapist or coach.

You have a few choices, and like Booble suggested, dealing with the bipolar disorder and medication right now is a great start.
Keeping on reminding yourself how far you have already come with getting assistance and assembling a “team” of care is so helpful. I made two lists for myself: my team and my support. Support are those who might not fully understand your situation, but who are willing to be there for you in any way they can. Your team are people who realize your situation like your psychotherapist and tms coach.
I would talk to both your psychotherapist and tms coach about working simultaneously, after your nervous system has calmed a bit. Know there is no rush, tell yourself you have got this! You now fully understand what is going on and that both bipolar and tms situations are treatable. This type of knowledge helped me so much!
If your current coach is not confident in dealing with your situation there are many more who might be Personally, I think a great sounding board might be Dr. Schubiner if you can get an appointment or telehealth meeting with him. He trains many therapists and may have suggestion for you.

 

Go deeper and deeper with meditation. This alone has the potential to solve it all.

You are not a defective human(bipolar.). The actual belief in this will cut you off from ever discovering the true nature of these “problems.” Go find the bipolar person who was 100%, not 80%, cured by going the route these doctors tell you. Share if you find the unicorn. Otherwise question everything, but try not get paranoid. People can be very wrong with very good intentions. MANY people working in the mental health profession currently suffer mental illness they may or may not acknowledge. How can they get you from where you are to where you want to be? Hmmm.

Drugs can certainly be “helpful.” Lose sight of that being their purpose, and you’ll make bad decisions. You’re not a defective human.

What you believe is everything! YOU. Yes, YOU manifested all of these TMS symptoms through belief. You can remove them by seeing through the illusion of them having power over you. You have no idea just how powerful you truly are because society has conditioned you to believe you are this helpless victim. You’re on a journey of removing illusion.

Can I ask something of you? If what was just explained to you is too radical to accept, please print or save this post. Make it a habit to read it again after you’ve given up on yet another fix. See if it reads any different. Some day you reach the end of your rope. We all do. You’re ready to disbelieve what led to all these “problems.” Shhhh, they’re not real, but certainly appear so.

 

Hi,

I recommend you read Eckhart Tolle's books. For example "The Power of Now" and "Stillness Speaks". I have both of them and read them often. They help me relax the mind, sleep better, stay in the moment, have a positive outlook on life etc.

You might just need to practice mindfulness, stillness and these books will help you relax mentally.

Try not to eat too many carbs, sugar, caffeine. You'll see improvements for sure.

Take care.

 

I'm going to disagree a little bit as it may be that bi-polar is beyond the scope of TMS. TMS "treatment" will certainly help because we all have inner demons that impact us but I personally don't subscribe to the theory that every single medical condition is from TMS.