Tdoc, Pdoc, Goose
is “tdoc” the new, acceptable shortened form for therapist, even though the therapist isn’t necessarily a PhD? anyway, i made myself go to my therapist appointment yesterday even though i really, really didn’t feel like going. it wasn’t like earlier in the week with the ENT, where i’ve been deliberately avoiding them; rather, i just didn’t feel like going anywhere.
but since our meeting a couple of weeks ago where she urged me to do the things on my list no matter what my mood state, i have been trying to do just that–function within the framework of my current mood states. that’s how she described it, i think.
her advice to me was to pick one thing and stick with that, whether it’s the gym, martial arts, or what. as it is, i’m once again struggling to get into the shower every day, but i’ve been doing it. it’s just starting to get hard again. i need to concentrate on being able to do everything on my list (shower, feed the cats, etc.) every day no matter what my mood state is.
the pdoc agrees. because i’ve been having trouble eating, he said it’s better to eat five small meals a day instead of three large ones, and to schedule the times during which i should eat–integrate it with the rest of my dailies. “dailies,” by the way, is a term used in Neopets that refers to various tasks to complete on the site once a day, so i’m appropriating it because, well, it’s appropriate. i’m revising my daily list to this:
- feed the cats
- take a shower
- eat
- clean the litterbox/take out the trash
- errand/appointment (therapist, pdoc, whatever) if in the a.m.
- eat
- check e-mail/read blogs
- eat
- errand/appointment if in the p.m.
- eat
- pick up Brian from work
my therapist said it doesn’t have to be exact to the minute or hour, but i guess the eating times should be. i’ve been reluctant to leave the house again lately, so i figure that i should have one errand to do a day, on the days when i don’t have an appointment, just so i get out of the house. it could be picking up a prescription, or going to the store or something like that.
today i saw the pdoc and he attributes the agitation to the Wellbutrin. he said the Zelnorm will be ok with the other stuff. he doesn’t want to increase my Ritalin because that will make me really agitated, and he wants to take me off of it soon. for the next two weeks, however, i’m going to continue with my current course of meds to see if the agitation wears off–just like Dr. Fae suggested here! 
Bipolar/Anxiety/BPD
I see an MFT — formerly called an MFC except that MFC was easily rendered into m*therf*cker.
January 19, 2006 7:01 pm
i call mine a t-doc and he is a phd.
January 19, 2006 8:43 pm
I just call mine my therapist. Most who read my blog just know her as Donna, lol. I guess with new people reading my blog I need to clarify that more. I wish I could make a list and keep to it. I just can’t get out except for every other Thursday and to see my pdoc or gpdoc. I usually eat in the mornings and evenings as I am alone during the day. It would be hard to do the 5 small meals and I am suppose to do that with my diabetes. It is good that you set yourself goals. Take care and God bless.
January 20, 2006 10:43 am
I inadvertently stumbled across your blog several months ago and have been reading it ever since.
Regarding “Clean the litterbox” on your daily list of things to do…. Have you ever considered getting one of the self-cleaning litterboxes??? They are awesome!!! I was extremely skeptical of the whole thing, but the guy at PetsMart said I could return it within 30 days if I wasn’t totally happy with it. So I bought one, and I love it. They even have bigger ones that are made for multiple-cat households. You should check it out.
January 20, 2006 10:47 am
I expect you to make yourself (and Brian) go meet me at Perfect Cup on Sunday, or else!
Just kidding. If you decide you don’t feel like going out, that’s totally okay. Okay?
I’ll be nervous ’cause I’m a dork and always shy meeting new people, but excited, too. I’ve never met a blog person in real life before.
January 20, 2006 12:36 pm
Please stop in and sign the virtual card for April at my blog.
January 20, 2006 2:30 pm
Joel, i’ve never heard of an MFT. something, something therapist?
maggs, mine isn’t a PhD, which is why i refer to her as my therapist, i guess. she’s an LCSW or an MSW or something like that.
Teressa, you can make a list and stick to it. like the pdoc told me, it doesn’t have to be ambitious. i mean, take a shower is on my list! i’m doing much better with that now, but not long ago i think i went a week to 10 days without showering.
i bit off more than i could chew last week, and now i’m getting back to basics. start small.
most people probably aren’t used to eating 5 meals a day. all through childhood we’re bombarded with 3 square meals, etc., etc. good luck to you.
David, thanks for commenting! i’ve seen those self-cleaning thingamajigs, and i’ve heard they’re wonderful. the problem is, Hopper has poor aim, and i think she does this on purpose. we don’t even use real litterboxes–we use plastic storage boxes with the front cut out! we used to have the kinds with lids, but they hate the lids. and unfortunately, the sides weren’t tall enough to keep Hopper from soiling everything in the vicinity. i appreciate the suggestion, though.
Maragret, i’m very excited about Sunday! i’m not so nervous about meeting you because you’ve been a wonderful friend online, and you can only be better in person! besides, we have so much to talk about like NUMS.
what makes me a teensy bit anxious is whether or not i’ll be able to keep the commitment. in the past i’ve been terrible about that, but i’m determined to improve.
Dari, will do.
January 20, 2006 6:00 pm
barb: MFT=Marriage and Family Therapist. MFC is Marriage and Family Counselor.
Maggs: You go to a Phud.
January 26, 2006 12:34 am