Dr. Phelps,

I am currently under treatment for bipolar disorder, and my psychiatrist also does my counseling, which is nice.  However, I am wondering, does someone with bipolar ALWAYS have to be in counseling for the rest of his/her life?  Or can we get to the place where we only  need med checks?

Thanks.
Shannon

Dear Shannon -- 
"Definitely".  Although if you need to ask, it makes me think something's going on with the treatment, some issue about something some therapist wants you to look at you'd rather not, or something like that.  Sometimes therapists are right about that, and sometimes they're not (or at least, they might be pretty right much of the time, yet some people would prefer to still have a few symptoms and not be "in treatment", and I think that's important too).  Anyway, whatever prompts your question, you're right.  Most of my patients who've gotten their symptoms under control with medications are not in "therapy" mode anymore.  Some are, though.  It just depends on the person's needs as we go along. 

Dr. Phelps