Posted by JahL on December 12, 2001, at 13:39:47
In reply to Re: Methadone for depression., posted by judy1 on December 12, 2001, at 10:01:04
> I don't want to start WWIII here, but I'm just curious about your feelings towards psychotherapy. I have had nothing but positive experiences with therapy, particularly psychologists, but I could tell some horror stories about psychiatrists.
Hi Judy.
No horror stories as such.
I think maybe it comes down to the nature of yr disorder. I've suffered from this disease (BPII) my entire life and know emphatically that there is absolutely no environmental aspect to it whatsoever. All I need are drugs to correct whatever form of biological dysfunction it is I suffer from. What I don't need are well-meaning but ultimately ignorant (ie no medical training) folk *standing in the way* of me and my medications (and therefore impeding my chances of remission). They do this by insisting there is a psychological bent to my disorder (therefore medication not required and so is*denied* me by my GP). I've been told it's all in my head, that my expectations are too high, that I am one of life's 'malcontentes', that I don't try enough; you get the picture. I've even had my Mum's parenting skills questioned (because she suffers from the same biological disorder as I)-something I take exception to. The psych in Q profusely apologised the week after he had met my mother (and had to eat humble pie), but by then had had enough time to cook up yet another off-the-wall theory about why I am the way I am (er...genetics possibly?). They don't seem to appreciate that what I (we) suffer from is so much more than just 'sadness'. That doesn't begin to describe BP.This is typical of my experience of therapists. Despise is probably too strong a word but it does accurately describe my feelings, distorted tho' they are. I am sure, in fact know, that they do a lot of good work and help a great deal of people. I just wish they'd restrict their help to those that want it and not interfere in medical matters in which their input is irrelevant and often distracting and misleading.
I have a very dysphoric type of depression; to the eternal disbelief of therapists, in general I don't enjoy the company of people and don't want to talk about 'it'. In fact I don't want to talk about anything unrelated to me getting well (it just doesn't interest me). This is the only board I've ever posted on. Talking to a therapist will have no bearing on my health and so there is no point.
I kinda resent the fact that they promise the world, pry extensively into your life and then, for me at least, deliver nothing. Except 2 wasted (and intensely boring) years. I've met many therapists over the years and I found a good number, in particular the more senior men, to be incredibly smug, like they and they alone have 'the answer' (as if).
Like Elizabeth, if I *do* want to talk, I have a good 'social support network' (is that what they call it?) and I am also fortunate enough to have had a good upbringing; my head is largely free of misconceptions and 'issues'. I'm v. lucky in this regard.
I won't get into the issue of causality and how confusing it can be for therapists (Them: "You're depressed *because* you don't go out anymore". Me: "No, I don't go out anymore because I'm acutely depressed, do not feel sociable and have felt this way my entire life. What would be the point of going out if I don't enjoy myself?". They tend not to like rational replies like this :-) )
Anyway, this is screaming to be redirected to PSB (which I naturally steer clear of :-) ) so I'll end it here. To borrow from the therapist parlance, this is a 'triggering' subject for me; it winds me up. I don't think I'd have any problem with therapists if they just confessed that what they principally do is *support* people, not cure them. My opinion does change however when we start talking child abuse, extreme trauma etc. I can't begin to understand this area and I assume a therapist would. Like Elizabeth I feel many people could benefit from counselling; I just don't see why depressives *specifically* need it, why it's forced upon them (it does't follow that if you have depression it's because your thought processes are 'wrong' [to use 'their' technical jargon]). I know dozens of people who are 'well' but nonetheless have something of a tenuous grip on reality and basically need a good talking to.
Remember, and this is is significant, I'm talking about the UK NHS here, where therapy is often forced upon patients who neither want nor need it. If they refuse, they're branded know-alls, egoists & trouble-makers and further treatment is often restricted. This kind of system breeds resentment such as mine. Therapy in the US would seem to be something of a different beast...
>For me I could not get better w/o the meds and the support of therapy (especially now).
That's good. One less reason to hate 'em :)
>Take care
And you,
J
poster:JahL
thread:84007
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86688.html