Mentalisation Therapy

[Teasel]

Anyone had it? Found it useful or not? Hot an opinion on it?
Thanks

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I know a guy who got it for his borderline personality disorder and it made a huge difference to him. He swears by it I didn't know it was used to treat PTSD.

 

[Teasel]

I don't think it is used to treat ptsd.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

Perhaps I'm just naive, but what is mentalization therapy? What does it involve?

 

[Teasel]

Perhaps I'm just naive, but what is mentalization therapy? What does it involve?

I don't honestly know, have been googling it lots but can't get my head around it at all. Hoping to hear from someone that's done it or is doing it or knows about it.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

I guess I'll have to google it too. Wish I could help.

 

[Teasel]

Thanks @stp2012 :)

 

[joeylittle]

@Berlinda, was it your therapist that used the term 'mentalization therapy', or someone else? Can you give more context?

 

[Teasel]

@joeylittle It was a psychiatrist, who spoke with me for 2 hours and told me I don't have ptsd but a personality disorder. She didn't say which one, I had to wait several weeks to see the letter she sent my doctor. Which said emotionally unstable personality disorder. Which I found out several weeks later meant BPD.

I was quite devastated by this and it was all happening around the time my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he died 10 days after being diagnosed...

When I read descriptions of BPD it doesn't ring true for me but it's possible I'm wrong. I've never tried to kill myself, the only time I ever felt at all suicidal was when I was on anti depressants. I don't self harm either.

A couple things I keep thinking of - in the consultation with her she asked me about my relationship with my partner - I said it was volatile. Which would fit a diagnoses of BPD. But the reason my relationship is volatile is because my partner is emotionally abusive and I rather suspect he may have a personality disorder.

Actually when I showed him the nhs definitions of different personality disorders he said several of them sounded very like him.

Also, when she asked me why I think I have ptsd I dissociated and couldn't say a thing as I tend to do when I feel not believed.

It's a bit frightening writing this down, very vulnerable feeling. Not being believed when I reach out for help is devastating.

And the stigma...

So anyway she ssid if I complete a drug n alcohol program then I could have mentalisation therapy.

So I've done that for 6 months - but it's been so hard - not the using less alcohol n drugs part but trusting the keyworkers.

Took me several months to begin trusting her, then she told me all about the great classes they do that I could take part in if I went along to one if their drop in sessions to sign up.

So I went all exited and when I got there and asked, he said well the problem with the classes is that no one goes to them. He said "we could stick you in am office with some paints if you like"

The following session I went to with keyword error, she said she was leaving.

The following session I was with a new keyworker who frankly frightened me. When I said I was depressed he asked what I do and I said I watch tv mostly. He gave me quite a contemptuous lecture about how even a walk would be better than tv.

Well for God's sake I know that.

I managed to build myself up to face the next session and he actually apologised for how he had been. Said he'd had a bad day

The following session he had been moved to a different section and no one bothered to tell me.

I've been on the verge of a nervous breakdown for months and months and months. I decided I can't take anymore "help" like this for a little while.

I need to somehow be together enough to sort out leaving my partner and sorting out my dad's estate

When I read descriptions of mentalising - it sounds like something I already know how to do.

But that can't be all thee is to it I'm sure!

And I'm so keen to get some help that actually helps that I absolutely want to try and get this if I can.....

Sorry for offloading and thanks for asking :)

 

[Deleted member 34328]

@Berlinda thanks for sharing your story. That was a very brave thing to do even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

I can't identify personally, although I'm positive many here can.

I can well imagine how frustrating (and more) it must be to get thrown around so often until you're just lost in the system. That in itself would drive me crazy. You're obviously a very strong-willed person to keep up your determination to find the correct diagnosis and treatment. Because of that, you will!

 

[Teasel]

@Berlinda thanks for sharing your story. That was a very brave thing to do even if...

Thank you very much for your kind reply to me, means a lot :)

Been sobbing quite a lot today, though it sounds more like howling. It's the terrible pain of the child I was who had no one in the world to go to - for a lot of years I don't remember a kind word from anyone.

Usually this pain is too unbearable but I'm very happy to say I have been able to soothe myself after each sobbing session today.

I recently realised that no one can ever do a better job of rescuing me than I can.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

Thank you very much for your kind reply to me, means a lot :)

Been sobbing quite a lot today, though...

True. It also takes a strong person to be able to push through.

You'll find lots of sympathetic and supportive people here.

Glad you found the forum.