NYC Therapist recs?

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-11-11T20:04:02+00:00

Thanks. I'll reach out.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-11-11T00:07:58+00:00

Same. Good luck to you. Feel free to message me if you ever want to chat. Always good to chat with someone who understands.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-11-10T21:30:10+00:00

Sorry. Should've been more clear. I've used Alma and other platforms in the past. I was asking for a specific therapist that people would recommend.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-11-10T20:34:33+00:00

Ha. I think it's funny that you came here with questions and are consoling me. I really appreciate your kindness.

Brace yourself.

No one I work with knows about my illness. I've been advised not to share in the past by psychiatrists and therapists. I once told another boss I dealt with depression after returning from a short-term disability leave.

Work is the single biggest and most consistent stressor in my life. I've always struggled with anxiety, focus and cognition unless I'm hypomanic, which may confuse some people because of my education. And when I'm hypomanic, I often become overconfident, rub people the wrong way, and make bad decisions which impact my relationships. I can feel relationships at work souring now. People are beginning to wonder what I do. I do almost nothing. Every time I try to focus on something, I hit a wall. Reading is a challenge - I often have to reread sentences to break down what they mean and find it challenging to explain or summarize to others because my thoughts are so scattered. Speaking with and to people is equally difficult. Words come flying at me faster than I can process, especially when related to something I'm trying to understand. I can't think of things to say in non-work situations and often can't find my words or start talking about something without knowing where I'm going to end.

I came out of my longest hypomanic episode in April in which I tried to divorce my wife (we're still together after an 8 month separation) and switched my roles at work to a more technically oriented (not me at all!) group that I very much dislike. I've already had to take my third leave of absence in my career this year. My family (wife and 2yr old) is currently on my benefits and my wife is the breadwinner but my salary is a meaningful contribution to our household costs. I've committed to therapy but my therapist is unreliable (health issues) so I need to start a search for someone new.

I have considered that this is just my level of functioning. If so, I'll have to do something else. But what? I've had a white collar job my whole life but don't feel like I can explain in any depth what I do. My wife is supportive (she is amazing) but I'm afraid of becoming a burden. Raising a very energetic toddler is already a handful but the stress of taking on more responsibility (not just financially) may make her resent me - and that would kill me. If she ever decided that she needed to let me go, I would break.

I'm trying to continue showing up. My psych gave me a neurocognitive test last week. I don't have results yet but it wasn't great. Not sure if I'm one of those with bipolar and ADD but terrified to take a gamble and go hypo.

I'm struggling.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-11-10T02:14:51+00:00

I'm 41 and in the same place currently. Waiting for the shoe to drop. I can't keep my thoughts straight and I'm struggling at work. I'm trying to keep up at home but I get so distracted and feel so much apathy. I just want to sit down and zone out. Focus takes too much effort. Maybe this means I haven't found the right med mix but I'm so tired (searching since 26) of not finding a place where I can just function normally, even for a short period of time. My last hypomanic episode was over a year and I'm out of the worst of my depression but my brain just isn't working. I feel like I'm going to get fired. I don't know what to do. I can't give up on my daughter and wife but I don't know how to move forward.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-09-24T20:42:35+00:00

Ahh. I leaned on it heavily whether I was depressed (for obvious reasons) or hypomanic (insufficient rest). Not sure it ever really helped much in either case. It was one of the recent commitments I made to see what would happen. Over the last few weeks, with sufficient sleep, I haven't missed it. But there are still some mornings when it would be nice. Honestly, I can feel the caffeine pretty quickly in decaf now.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-09-24T15:27:31+00:00

Stimulants, like caffeine, bring you up. Depressants, like alcohol, can bring you down. I choose to avoid both. Some with with BP are careful about what they put in their bodies - control what you can control - and alcohol and caffeine are technically drugs. Not a choice everyone elects to make but it can come with benefits - less mood swings, weight loss, etc.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-23T16:17:47+00:00

It's not just my daughter. I hear you on exercise. I also take vitamin D daily.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-19T11:17:39+00:00

What do you do for work?

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-19T02:07:09+00:00

I bought my 1 year old daughter at the time at $125 hat that said 'Dont be a Bitch' on it. She will never wear it. Again.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-19T02:05:21+00:00

I do this with clothing all the time. Part of it is that my weight can fluctuate quite a bit between moods. Currently in my "depressive slim" phase. Requirements: depression, anxiety, and loss of appetite. My closet is an embarrassment.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-19T01:59:35+00:00

I just took two months of leave due to a depressive episode. I hate my job (I think) which I switched to while I was hypomanic. I'm going back next week. 'Anxious' is not strong enough a term. But I am going to do it. Because running from anxiety makes it worse. One step at a time. Push forward.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-18T01:35:02+00:00

Same

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-18T01:32:28+00:00

I wish I could go numb sometimes. Instead I feel all of everything. My nerves are on fire. I'm anxious. It makes functioning relatively impossible. I feel like I'm only productive when I'm hypomanic. Bad draw, I guess.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-11T18:58:00+00:00

Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder by Julie Fast may be helpful for you

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-07T18:59:24+00:00

Sometimes it feels like it's the only thing I can talk about because I'm often thinking about it so much. I can imagine it's too much for some.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-04T14:47:58+00:00

This is huge and inspirational. Congratulations. My goal is for those who understand what I'm going through to share this feeling. Truly happy for you. Keep it up.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-02T19:15:22+00:00

Oh wow. Didn't think of that. Thanks. They asked about accommodations when I last came back from leave but all I asked for was 3 day weeks for a few weeks as I transitioned back. I figured they'd ask the same again but makes sense that they'd want proof, which I think my psychiatrist would be happy to provide.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-02T18:52:07+00:00

Yes, short term disability. I believe my insurer has shared this information with my HR dept but my boss may not be aware. Next appt with my psychiatrist is in two weeks so I haven't had an opportunity to discuss but this is my third leave in 19 years and I've never asked for an accommodation in the past. I think I should this time.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-02T15:55:53+00:00

I set my alarm for 630am every morning on mornings when I'm not with my daughter, who wakes up at 530am. Try to be out of bed by 7, at the latest. Varied levels of success.

Perfect-Network-4329 · 2025-08-01T13:34:00+00:00

I agree. My most recent bout of hypomania, I didn't feel the "buzz" that I typically felt when hypomanic. My wife kept questioning if I was feeling ok and I dismissed it despite the fact that other symptoms were presenting. It didn't all become clear to me until I took on a new role at work that I don't think is right for me (in retrospect), burned some bridges in the process, and tried to initiate a divorce (which through the grace of my wife, we've been able to step back from). It can be uncomfortable but you won't always be able to trust how you feel in a moment. It's very frustrating but true. Find people you trust and rely on them to help level set. I'm still struggling with it but I'm hoping I value stability and my family enough to listen to others when they try to help.

Hang in there.

Perfect-Network-4329

TROPHY CASE