The following article was written by Anne Fargusson, RN, a member of AFTD Persons with FTD Advisory Council. You can learn more about Anne and her colleagues by visiting the council’s web page.

Most persons diagnosed with FTD have encountered some form of talk therapy, even before they got diagnosed. Years ago, for example – back when I was still working and had just begun showing FTD symptoms – my husband and I started seeing a marriage counselor. We had been fighting frequently.

Based on our sessions, our counselor thought I was depressed, so I went to a psychiatrist who put me on an antidepressant. That didn’t help, so the doctor put me on another drug. That also failed to change anything. So we tried yet another drug. Same story. All told, I was placed on 10 different antidepressants. Eventually, I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and began a new drug regimen that seemed to help… but only for a short period of time. Then back to the way I was.

Our therapist referred me to a special psychotherapist nearby. She had me take some mental evaluations, which I failed miserably. She said that something is wrong, but she didn’t know what it could be. Finally, I visited one of the country’s leading universities for a comprehensive evaluation. It took a while, but I was diagnosed with FTD.

I continued seeing my original therapist to help me navigate my new reality. Coping was hard – I had lots of ups and downs, and changed my medication many times. We talked about everything affecting my mental health: losing my job and my income, losing friends and family members, my self-abuse and eventual suicide attempts. I stayed with her for 15 years. It seems like a long time, but it was so worth it.

I ultimately had a positive experience in therapy. But there are risks and benefits that you should consider before you start.

First, the risks. It may take a while before you find a therapist who you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with. It doesn’t always happen the first time, and you may end up getting more depressed. My advice: know that you may not find the right therapist at first. Keep searching. It doesn’t mean you have to quit.

Additionally, therapy is still stigmatized in some circles; your family and friends may shame you for, or even discourage you from, speaking to a therapist. And there’s a chance that your therapist makes you feel worse than you did before you came.

The benefits, however, are substantial. Because therapists are trained to be objective and dispassionate, you may find that talking to them is more helpful than talking to a loved one or close friend, especially when you are newly diagnosed with FTD.

Your therapist doesn’t necessarily need to be an FTD expert to provide good mental-health care. But if they are a good therapist, they will use the AFTD website to do research – you can provide them with any resources you find particularly effective – and can help you navigate life with FTD.

Start your search for a therapist by using the websites Psychology Today or Good Therapy. Make sure they accept your insurance. Additionally, a primary care doctor may be able to refer you to a therapist they trust. Be sure to check their credentials. And never forget that if the therapist you pick isn’t a good fit, try another one until you meet one who is right for you.

In short, therapy has really helped me manage my FTD. I recommend it.