Mental Health Thread: What's your take on Therapy and the whole psychosocial industry?

[blacktux]

Learn to meditate and become your own therapist

No one knows you like you, you just cant be afraid to seek out your truth and own it.

Going to the therapist is paying someone to be your friend for an hour.

 

[Shuffington]

Great thread people

This is probably the most quintessential Grown and Sexy thread on the forum.

A lot of good drops in here.

I myself have done couples therapy, but Im in the process of finding a personal

psychologist for my own well being. Thats seeming to be the hardest part because

I take mental health serious and I don't want somebody jerking me.

 

[Colin$mackabi$h]

I dont know

ask a therapist...

 

[powerman 5000]

not a fan of the shit. I've seen enough of them and passed enough psych evals to know the shit is garbage. He's the gist of it for free. Any changes or improvements to your life is going to be because you were strong enough to make them and sane enough to know that if you keep doing the same things over and over again, you'll get the same result so try something different.

 

[Plutarch]

I think it's helpful. I mean, it is or can be helpful, obviously. Even just talking to a friend. Generally speaking, men neither naturally tend to nor want to to "talk things out," and even though I think that's not necessarily a bad thing, it never hurts to be open-minded and seek alternative solutions to problems. But that stigma (whether it's therapy is feminine or only for psychos or only for whites or only for weaklings) is a bitch.

I am, however, very much opposed to over-medication and excessive reliance on medicine. I always think that the more natural, the better. Sometimes, just good diet and exercise can take you further than you think. But some people really do need the medication, so I think I understand to an extent.

 

[ThaNubianGod]

Biggest scam of modern history to push prescription drugs.

 

[LUClEN]

I think it's helpful. I mean, it is or can be helpful, obviously. Even just talking to a friend. Generally speaking, men neither naturally tend to nor want to to "talk things out," and even though I think that's not necessarily a bad thing, it never hurts to be open-minded and seek alternative solutions to problems. But that stigma (whether it's therapy is feminine or only for psychos or only for whites or only for weaklings) is a bitch.

I am, however, very much opposed to over-medication and excessive reliance on medicine. I always think that the more natural, the better. Sometimes, just good diet and exercise can take you further than you think. But some people really do need the medication, so I think I understand to an extent.

I agree with the criticisms of medicine. That's why I'm leaning towards therapy as it will give me real tools to manage my issues and the ability to see things in ways that will enable me to produce better solutions and an overall happier, more meaningful life.

 

[Plutarch]

I think it's helpful. I mean, it is or can be helpful, obviously. Even just talking to a friend. Generally speaking, men neither naturally tend to nor want to to "talk things out," and even though I think that's not necessarily a bad thing, it never hurts to be open-minded and seek alternative solutions to problems. But that stigma (whether it's therapy is feminine or only for psychos or only for whites or only for weaklings) is a bitch.

I am, however, very much opposed to over-medication and excessive reliance on medicine. I always think that the more natural, the better. Sometimes, just good diet and exercise can take you further than you think. But some people really do need the medication, so I think I understand to an extent.

I agree with the criticisms of medicine. That's why I'm leaning towards therapy as it will give me real tools to manage my issues and the ability to see things in ways that will enable me to produce better solutions and an overall happier, more meaningful life.

And that, my friends, is what we all should generally strive for. Best of luck to you, sir.

 

[(Nope)]

I don't think that shit works - for me anyway.

Talk to a MF for an hour a week, and one day you're supposed to break down in tears and have some breakthrough ?

Pay a MF to keep writin shit, looking at the time, while momentarily asking you "and why do you think that is ?" and "how did that make you feel ?"

Nah I'm cool.

I've been wondering about hypnosis too - that shit seems fake as hell.

Nobody should be asking you how something "made you feel." Any therapist who asks that needs more tools in their tool-box. Questioning in general if unprompted or without the context of a clear material goal puts you at odds with clients.

I think a whole lot of people share your sentiments about therapy, in particular, what you said about a "breakthrough." There is Hollywood/societal pressure to achieve catharsis and it's offputting. However, it's not a prerequisite for therapy. Need to dispel that myth because it keeps people away, makes people feel ashamed if there is no "breakthrough," or leads to superficial "breakthroughs" because people need affirmation.

@LUCIEN , you're an MSW right? In therapy, in life, or whatever, approach yourself with the same kindness and acceptance you were trained to offer the people you serve.

 

[LUClEN]

I don't think that shit works - for me anyway.

Talk to a MF for an hour a week, and one day you're supposed to break down in tears and have some breakthrough ?

Pay a MF to keep writin shit, looking at the time, while momentarily asking you "and why do you think that is ?" and "how did that make you feel ?"

Nah I'm cool.

I've been wondering about hypnosis too - that shit seems fake as hell.

Nobody should be asking you how something "made you feel." Any therapist who asks that needs more tools in their tool-box. Questioning in general if unprompted or without the context of a clear material goal puts you at odds with clients.

I think a whole lot of people share your sentiments about therapy, in particular, what you said about a "breakthrough." There is Hollywood/societal pressure to achieve catharsis and it's offputting. However, it's not a prerequisite for therapy. Need to dispel that myth because it keeps people away, makes people feel ashamed if there is no "breakthrough," or leads to superficial "breakthroughs" because people need affirmation.

@LUCIEN , you're an MSW right? In therapy, in life, or whatever, approach yourself with the same kindness and acceptance you were trained to offer the people you serve.

No I'm not an MSW. I only know preliminary stuff about social work that I learned through other stuff in crim and sociology.

 

[Kat]

Biggest scam of modern history to push prescription drugs.

People are so quick to believe whatever their government and it's henchmen tell them is good for them.

Don't forget that heroin, cocaine, and meth were all once prescribed by physicians.

 

[twentyfivelighters]

I work in the field as well. I research and treat (mainly) depression. I've suffered from it myself for a while, so the importance is using the skills you would teach to clients or patients in order to be an effective therapist (e.g., relapse prevention strategies).

Glad to see a discussion about various barriers to treatment in this thread as well -- "praying away" mental illness, confidentiality, etc. Also understand that while mental illness is often viewed within a medical model, it is not necessarily the same thing, you know? For example, with cancer, we can see in great detail how cancer begins to develop within a cell. Does something like depression "exist" inside of us the same way? Likely not, but we know complications of depression very well -- burden of disease, biggest reason for missed work days, so on and so on.