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On June 18 2011 09:10 avilo wrote:Show nested quote +On June 18 2011 09:02 Torte de Lini wrote:On June 18 2011 09:00 Arkansassy wrote: I'd venture to say the majority of psychologists become psychologists because of their own effed up minds or because someone close to them suffered from a mental illness. Of course, there are some that go into the field simply to help others, because they think they're so frickin superior in an emotionally well-balanced way. *rolls eyes*
Now let's see, psychiatrists dish out drugs - the majority of which have extremely bad side-effects, and the psychologists won't even talk to you until you see a shrink and are heavily medicated. lol
Nevertheless, when you're suffering from depression, it's not fun and some times you need a med for a jump start - the problem is, the idiots want to keep you on them forever.
When you're to the point where you can't get out of bed, you stop eating, your personal hygiene is non-existent, everything that once excited you no longer brings you pleasure - then seek help. You seem pretty content at present.
No offense to cat lovers, but dogs are more powerful in the emotional healing department. All pets are great at lifting ones spirits though.
Don't worry, be happy. lol First paragraph is blatantly wrong. Where you got this particularly idea is beyond my own understanding, have you considered a therapist?Wrong. You don't necessarily need medication due to depression (however it could be a chemical imbalance). That is the point of a psychologist/psychiatrist, to find out if you need medicine or not. I bolded the next paragraph because it is right. Your first paragraph, bolded above, is blatantly wrong. I bolded it to show that. I bolded your third paragraph (which was one sentence) because I could. The point is, it's bolded now, so the letters are bigger and darker, making me right.
Actually the arguments within his reply were correct while your statements in your first post were wrong. The bold was to draw your attention to that. Bold or not, you don't know what you are talking about.
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On June 18 2011 10:46 cz wrote:Show nested quote +On June 18 2011 09:08 travis wrote: I have never liked the thought of psychologists analyzing myself, because I am a pretty critical person, and I find it insulting to think that some other person will understand myself better than I do after I talk to them for a little bit.
Maybe for other people, but not for me. If anything they are liable to get the wrong ideas about me, as I am pretty fucking abnormal.
chef you're smart enough you'll be like whatever you want to be, and if you reflect on yourself you'll figure out whatever you want to figure out If you were so good at figuring yourself out and then fixing things your life would be a lot better than it is. All your post is rationalizations about why you shouldn't take the chance and see a psychologist and why you don't need it, and why it wouldn't help you.
because that sort of thing happens instantaneously right? and because figuring yourself out isn't a developed skill?
I don't disagree with a lot of what you said, but I still don't disagree with any of what I said as well.
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Well if your mother is paying for it, why not go? Even if you don't have any issues it might give her some peace of mind. And perhaps you'll be able to better understand people who do need psychological care. In any case you'd get the opportunity to see if your stereotypes about psychologists are true.
I think one thing most people don't realize about depression is that average depression only lasts 6-18 months. There's this common misconception that depressed people are sad all the time, and that's simply not the case. People who are chronically depressed are often totally healthy for 2-3 years at a time until their next depressive cycle hits.
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I think most self-aware people are inherently somewhat depressed. Not as a general way-of-being, but just as an occasional state of mind.
Kitties, on the other hand, are consistently awesome. They are the perfect creation - they are soft, like it when we touch their softness, and then make sounds when they're happy. I sometimes equate my purring kitty to the little kid who can't hide his boner. "Uh oh, everyone knows how excited I am." But unlike the kid, they don't care because they're awesome. They just purr more loudly.
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On June 18 2011 09:19 Arkansassy wrote:Show nested quote +On June 18 2011 09:06 Scarecrow wrote:On June 18 2011 09:00 Arkansassy wrote: Now let's see, psychiatrists dish out drugs - the majority of which have extremely bad side-effects, and the psychologists won't even talk to you until you see a shrink and are heavily medicated. This is just flat out ignorant. Psychologists will talk to you whether you're medicated or not and the majority of drugs prescribed by psychiatrists have very minor side effects. Either you're making shit up or the state of the American health system is far worse than Australia's I think you should read the side-effects of psychiatric medications before you make that statement and how many people actually killed themselves or others whilst on anti-depressants. Mentally unstable people might kill themselves and others very rarely and often incidentally they will be being treated with anti-depressants at the time due to their condition. Murder is not a side-effect of anti-depressants -.-
I've been on antidepressants for several years, with 0 side effects beyond not feeling like shit all the time. There's a whole bunch of side effects with most medications that affect a very low % of users. Basically you take a course of one and if it seems to be working well stick with it. If it has 'minor' side effects affecting digestion or sleep, then you try another. I tried three before I found one that seemed to have no ill effects beyond the odd killing spree.
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Seeing a therapist REALLY helped me
Just keep switching till you find the right guy/girl. They are really smart people and some of them know exactly what to do and how they can help you.
Certain things you say like "your problems might be trivial" are real classics that psychologists can help you understand why you do and think the way you do
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On June 18 2011 08:21 Chef wrote:Cats- Will listen no matter what I have to say.
- Are soft.
- Don't give patronizing advice.
- Are free if borrowed from friends.
- Don't secretly judge me.
- Can't speak English and therefore are incapable of talking about me to others.
- Share a love of towels and other common interests.
- Are fun to play with.
- Understand why hiding places are awesome.
- Won't dig for awkward memories and feelings.
You can use the same arguments to get a cat instead of a gf.
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Ok, what the fuck is this thread. So many people in here that have absolutely no clue what they are talking about.
First of all, why in the world do people think that all the meds prescribed to treat mental disorders are terrible. To treat extreme problems requires extreme measures; for example, many drugs used for the treatment of severe bipolar disorder can have major side effects, and can even put the patient into a worse mental state. However, these are only for severe cases. Chef would be prescribed a low dosage of a safe, well documented drug. For mild cases, there is no need to try risky drugs with a lot of potential dangers. My girlfriend suffers from mild depression and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), and she takes the lowest dosage of medication used to treat those disorders, when needed.
Second, why do people think that psychologists are something that only completely loony people can resort to? I personally have never felt any reason to go see one, but my girlfriend suffers from mild-moderate anxiety attacks when she is under a lot of pressure, as well as the previous problems I mentioned. Even though these weren't major problems by any measure, it really helped her to go to a psychologist. The one we saw was a very down to earth sort of guy, and I never felt that he pressured her into making any sort of decisions. He basically just sat down with us, listened to our thoughts on the matter, and made solid judgments based on what we told him. I never really though anything he said was out of line of my own point of view.
Many schools provide free psychiatry and counseling services, so you certainly don't have anything to lose. I feel like there's such a social stigma towards this type of thing, which is really bad considering how many people need it. It's really interesting to read through psychology textbooks and realize just how many people, even in your everyday lives, have a disorder. Many are mild, but some are game breaking in one way or another.
It's just really weird that people are quite willing to go to a regular doctor to deal with illnesses in their body, but really resistant to seeing a doctor for their mental state. It's not like mental illnesses are not contagious either. You can see this easily when you compare parents to their children, because a fucking lot gets passed down.
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That's one hell of a cute kitten your friend got there... :3
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On June 18 2011 08:34 Excalibur_Z wrote: Psychologists have education and training in that field and are able to analyze behaviors and recognize patterns, similar to how a programmer is able to diagnose a software bug and recognize why it's happening and what's wrong in the code. If your parents are paying for you to see a psychologist, you might as well go. What he says may surprise you and you may learn handy ways to address any (real or perceived) psychological issues you may have.
It's up to you to decide what you want to do with the information he gives you. You can dismiss it as an incorrect diagnosis or you can entertain it and see what happens. A lot of young people get depressed, yeah, but only you know the severity. Thats a pretty bad analogy. Psychologists are nothing like programmers because they cannot look at your "source code". They have to treat you like a black box and try to map i/o patterns to models of problems/causes. But especially with mild problems (like mild chronic depression) its hard to do that.
Really the thing suited best for really curing mild psychological problems is your mind. The more intelligent you are, the bigger problems you can tackle. JUST WORK ON IT! Set goals. Lay out paths to achieve these goals. Observe yourself walking these paths. And last but not least: observe others too.
You are your own programmer.
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I once tried to kill myself and was forced to talk to a psychologist.
It... didn't help me much to be honest. Just keep an open mind about it and know that it won't do much; rather it's going to be the first step in a series of actions fighting against your problems. And honestly you're going to think he/she is an asshole.
Just don't yell at them because that leads to more problems.
...GL to you. What fixed my depression was knowing that there are people who love me, but they just have the hardest time showing it. Everyone has people like that; don't ever think for a second that no one doesn't love you. And playing a lot of games and running. Try to keep yourself occupied with stupid shit because sometimes you think too much and your mind comes up with stupid conclusions.
Also to all the shitty posters here: Go make a shitty debate thread somewhere else because this isn't the fucking place for it.
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People actually believe that you go to a doctor to determine whether or not you need medication? With most doctors it goes something like this:
Step 1) Determine if he is depressed Step 2) If he's depressed, prescribe a drug. Step 3) If that drug doesn't work, increase the dosage (more $$$!) Step 4) If that doesn't work, prescribe a new drug.
You being depressed is an automatic qualification for drugs. Does anyone else see something wrong with that?
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On June 18 2011 23:00 shinosai wrote: People actually believe that you go to a doctor to determine whether or not you need medication? With most doctors it goes something like this:
Step 1) Determine if he is depressed Step 2) If he's depressed, prescribe a drug. Step 3) If that drug doesn't work, increase the dosage (more $$$!) Step 4) If that doesn't work, prescribe a new drug.
You being depressed is an automatic qualification for drugs. Does anyone else see something wrong with that?
Yeah, I do, because you blurred details and only skimmed half the things that happened.
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On June 18 2011 09:10 avilo wrote: Your first paragraph, bolded above, is blatantly wrong. I bolded it to show that.
I bolded your third paragraph (which was one sentence) because I could. The point is, it's bolded now, so the letters are bigger and darker, making me right.
The only thing I find funnier than this post, is Chef's ability to read people so accurately: Here is a reply I foresee in this thread "you probably have chronic depression; drugs might help you."
And, Chef, you're absolutely right:
Cats ('cept you forgot about dogs)
Will listen no matter what I have to say. Are soft. Don't give patronizing advice. Are free if borrowed from friends. Don't secretly judge me. Can't speak English and therefore are incapable of talking about me to others. Share a love of towels and other common interests. Are fun to play with. Understand why hiding places are awesome. Won't dig for awkward memories and feelings.
It's understandable that people interpret the text as they wish; however, it's pretty sad when people simply ignore the title: MY PARENTS Want Me to See a Psychologist...
Nowhere in your post did I read that YOU think you're depressed and nowhere did I see, "people of TL, please help me with your advice." All I saw was "Cat belongs to my friend. Feel free to remark upon its cuteness."
Too funny!
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You are taking SC2 ascension over BW that hard, eh??? =[
On June 18 2011 08:34 Excalibur_Z wrote: Psychologists have education and training in that field and are able to analyze behaviors and recognize patterns, similar to how a programmer is able to diagnose a software bug and recognize why it's happening and what's wrong in the code. If your parents are paying for you to see a psychologist, you might as well go. What he says may surprise you and you may learn handy ways to address any (real or perceived) psychological issues you may have.
It's up to you to decide what you want to do with the information he gives you. You can dismiss it as an incorrect diagnosis or you can entertain it and see what happens. A lot of young people get depressed, yeah, but only you know the severity.
You should listen to this for real though. No one here can know if you've got serious enough issues that merit a doc, and your parents could quite easily overreact for any kind of things (you prefering a hobby or something they don't care for... who knows) However, you yourself could be downplaying it out of your own reluctance to go see a professional. Or it could be completely trivial shit as you said, some kind of phase or whatever.
However, since it is paid for and a family member cared enough to mention it, it's kind of a no lose situation for the quoted reasons. No quack worth his salt is gonna spill your darkest bw fetishes to your parents, but if it makes you more comfortable I'm sure he'd sign something.
can't hurt to go. just don't dismiss it out of hand, but at the same time, after you go home, reflect on it and think if it is correct in anyway. You'll need more than a session or two to get any kind of progress
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Hmm... those are pretty convincing arguments. Maybe I should get a cat.
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United States22883 Posts
On June 18 2011 09:06 Scarecrow wrote:Show nested quote +On June 18 2011 09:00 Arkansassy wrote: Now let's see, psychiatrists dish out drugs - the majority of which have extremely bad side-effects, and the psychologists won't even talk to you until you see a shrink and are heavily medicated. This is just flat out ignorant. Psychologists will talk to you whether you're medicated or not and the majority of drugs prescribed by psychiatrists have very minor side effects. Either you're making shit up or the state of the American health system is far worse than Australia's Keep in mind the average TLer is completely ignorant of the distinction between psychologist and psychiatrist, just as they are between finances and economics, and politics and political science.
Chef, Excalibur_Z is a bright guy, what he said is true. It may work or it may not, but keep in mind there's probably a well trained person on the other side. That doesn't mean to concede to their opinion. Just treat it with your normal academic curiosity and see where it goes.
Arkansassy, psychologists hold PhDs. Psychiatrists hold MDs. Only one of those can prescribe medicine. In short, you don't have a clue of what you're talking about.
The end of the WebMD article puts the process nicely.
Whose Therapy Is Best?
Ask any of the three professionals who provide the best psychotherapy, they will all tell you their own specialty is the most skilled.
You could have a great therapeutic relationship, or a bad experience, with any of them.
"The professional credentials alone don't determine that someone would be helpful to any particular patient," says Rebecca Curtis, PhD, a professor of psychology at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., and director of research at the W.A. White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychoanalysis in New York.
Nevertheless, she says experience and training matter at least as much as the therapist's personal qualities and the relationship between the patient and the provider. She advises people to interview a potential therapist carefully. Although you may want to get right to talking about your issues, "ask them specifically about their training during the initial session," she tells WebMD.
"Everybody thinks they can sit down and talk to people and be helpful," she says, "but it really helps to have a lot of experience and training."
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On June 19 2011 06:06 Jibba wrote: Keep in mind the average TLer is completely ignorant of the distinction between psychologist and psychiatrist, just as they are between finances and economics, and politics and political science.
Chef, Excalibur_Z is a bright guy, what he said is true. It may work or it may not, but keep in mind there's probably a well trained person on the other side. That doesn't mean to concede to their opinion. Just treat it with your normal academic curiosity and see where it goes.
Arkansassy, psychologists hold PhDs. Psychiatrists hold MDs. Only one of those can prescribe medicine. In short, you don't have a clue of what you're talking about.
I highlighted your opening paragraph as I believe that's an insult to the "average TLer." I mean if I were average, I'd certainly be insulted. lol
The last paragraph, in reference to me, is highlighted because you are so wrong. As a volunteer for Hospice and our local suicide hotline, I have worked with many psychologists and psychiatrists (some good friends) I can tell you that many psychologists do not hold a PhD. So in short, you don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Prior to that, when I was working toward my degree in the performing arts, students would - many times - consult psychologists for insight into characters.
I don't just spit out information that I obtained from a website. :D
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I actually see a psychologist and initially I had the same reaction as you.. I was fucking pissed at my parents and thought the whole thing was a bullshit scam. Actually I found the psychologist is legitimately helpful and gets seriously interested in trying to aid you. Its almost like having a friend who you can tell everything to without being judged.
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Cat's are so hard to take care of, I'd rather just stay insane
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