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General Interest > Philosophy, Sociology & Psychology
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Whats the deal with Psychologists
    #18341672 -

Today as part of my ongoing care for Bipolar Type 1 I was prescribed a psychologist. This was after spending 2 years with another health team and they didn't even mention it.

Just wondering what its like having a psychologist, if they are any good, what goes on, etc.

I hear they cause more problems than they solve.


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Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth, and taste...

:haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18342041 -

lolwut said:
Today as part of my ongoing care for Bipolar Type 1 I was prescribed a psychologist. This was after spending 2 years with another health team and they didn't even mention it.

Just wondering what its like having a psychologist, if they are any good, what goes on, etc.

I hear they cause more problems than they solve.


Do the right thing, and never mention the names Osho or Baghwan Shree Rajneesh and definitely Sheela.


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Anxiety is what you make it.

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18342090 -

lolwut said:
Today as part of my ongoing care for Bipolar Type 1 I was prescribed a psychologist. This was after spending 2 years with another health team and they didn't even mention it.

Just wondering what its like having a psychologist, if they are any good, what goes on, etc.

I hear they cause more problems than they solve.


Not really - psychologists can be quite helpful.
A psychologist will work with you to fix whatever issue you are having, usually using CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy).


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:brainondrugs:

You are not special :haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18342116 -

My experience with psychologist was quite positive. He mostly asked questions and did tests at the beginning of our course to get to know me and my personality.
He never asked what drugs I used because it was simply not necessary.
After he got to know me and my personality he just gave me advices, which was up to me to accept them or not and we played psychological games.

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: LunarEclipse]
    #18342157 -

No Sheela?



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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18342183 -

They can - they are human, after all. Psychologists can't prescribe drugs (they aren't qualified to do so as per state/federal regulations), so he'll likely be guiding you through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a therapy that seeks to link thoughts/thought patterns to behaviors (so, say every time you're stressed out, you binge eat). He could include a mindfulness aspect to the therapy (as in MBCT), and that type of therapy is shown to have a much higher success rate in individuals with depression than CBT alone.I would talk to him at your first appt & see which technique he uses. If he isn't trained in MBCT & you're interested in it, you could likely read up on it and incorporate the techniques to supplement your therapy with him (meditation is one technique it uses).


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full blown human

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Penelope_Tree]
    #18342192 -

Penelope_Tree said:
They can - they are human, after all. Psychologists can't prescribe drugs (they aren't qualified to do so as per state/federal regulations), so he'll likely be guiding you through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a therapy that seeks to link thoughts/thought patterns to behaviors (so, say every time you're stressed out, you binge eat). He could include a mindfulness aspect to the therapy (as in MBCT), and that type of therapy is shown to have a much higher success rate in individuals with depression than CBT alone.I would talk to him at your first appt & see which technique he uses. If he isn't trained in MBCT & you're interested in it, you could likely read up on it and incorporate the techniques to supplement your therapy with him (meditation is one technique it uses).


:thumbup:


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:brainondrugs:

You are not special :haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Cyclohexylamine]
    #18345851 -

:cheers: guys


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Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth, and taste...

:haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut] * 3
    #18347219 -

Hey, make sure you stick with one you feel you can trust though! It's really important. Also don't listen to those assholes who generalize a whole entire profession as evil or worthless just because they had a bad experience or heard some negative things from a friend of a friend.


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Orgone Conclusion...Bringing OTD to PS&P since 2007.

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Cactilove]
    #18347875 -

I would give him a chance, like penny said they are human after-all, you never know you may find a new friend in this psychologist. I would personally be somewhat excited to be in your position.


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zen by age ten times six hundred lifetimes
Light up the darkness.

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: hTx]
    #18347934 -

I see them as gatekeepers for the scientific materialist myth.
I remember a recent interview I watched where Rick Doblin of MAPS was interviewed and he claimed that out of a given cross section of people taking psychedelics in 'studies' (I wish to sometime get exact quote), it was psychologists who were not prepared to really let go---the 'ego death' experience.

Psychology as it's come to be known and used has lost the 'psyche'. IE., the very term 'psychology' really is supposed to mean "study of the soul", but especially since Wilhelm Wundt appeared on the scene with his so-called "experimental psychology" what happened is that the 'soul' was believed to not exist, and we were said to be mere chemical and electrical reactions which exhibit 'behaviour'--basically biological robots. So that is their underlying myth--that humans are biological robots living in a dead world and universe (ie., not sentient). So mainstream psychology now is the 'study of behaviour'! Soul is discounted, because it can't be measured. This is why it is a materialistic mindset.

Previous to this idea, the philosopher Rene Descartes had said the same about animals, claiming that because they had no 'soul' like humans this meant they were biological robots. This is a VERY good example showing how other species get treated eventually happens to humans---through this ignore-ant reductive thinking.

I have had my own experience of a clinical psychologist, and yip, he treated me like a biological robot. So my advice is KNOW, and try it out, use what helps but don't let his authority take you over :smile:

I like the sound of Liberation Psychology which does respect soul, and also sees the bigger picture:
Quote:
Liberation psychology, unlike mainstream psychology, questions adjustment to the societal status quo, and it energizes oppressed people to resist all injustices. Liberation psychology attempts to discover how demoralized people can regain the energy necessary to take back the power that they had handed over to illegitimate authorities.


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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18641505 -

Update: After two sessions I can comfortably say that either I don't need a psychologist, or they are full of shit.

My experience has been as follows:

- 1st session was basically just me telling her in my own words what my experiences with psychosis were. She basically asked me what approach to take with me in that she asked what my previous mandatory case manager's approach was.
- 2nd session was just talking about things I'd like to do with my life, changes I'd like to make, etc.

Basically every time I said something she would affirm it and support it. She reinforced my belief structures, sometimes gave me an alternate perspective on things I would say (pretty much showing me glass half full views without realising I deliberately view it glass half empty while seeing both, so I can motivate myself)

I told her one of the methods I use for analyzing and backtracing my thoughts to find out the underlying assumptions/ideals/thought processes and she seemed pretty impressed. I then said "this is probably weird but:" and said something that was sane but would be weird as fuck to the normal person and she interjected with "it's not weird" and then just agreed with me.

The whole purpose of it so far seems to be to give people a positive constructive opinion of themselves to prevent any self-promoted emotional backlash about events in their life and to encourage them to make changes for the better. In other words "think like this, and go out and do this". Kinda like what I'd expect a "life coach" to do. For people who are stuck inside their own heads with no skillz at knowing their way around their own head.


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Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth, and taste...

:haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18641605 -

The early goings are about building a relationship. She's trying to let you know that you can trust her. By positively reinforcing your statements, she is encouraging you to feel positively about speaking your mind with her.

If it isn't accomplishing that task, let her know. Tell her that her positive reinforcements are off-putting or are coming off stilted. She'll appreciate honest feedback.

IMO the hardest thing that psychologists run into, is emotional dishonesty. Someone not being up front about a relationship not forming for instance. If someone flat out says to a psychologist, "I don't trust you", the psychologist can ask why and whether or not there is a way to gain that trust. But if someone sits quietly thinking to themselves that they don't trust the psychologist all the while, yet leading them on as if they do, it's not very productive for either party. 


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Why shouldn't the truth be stranger than fiction?
Fiction, after all, has to make sense. -- Mark Twain

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Kickle]
    #18641875 -

I realise my conclusions are far from the overall truth as I've only had 2 sessions. But that's just my impression of things at the moment.

I don't really know what I'm in for or if I even need it. In general I don't let many people into my life anyway so the whole thing is off-putting really :lol: To have 3 or 4 new strangers in my life who are paid to give a shit about my health and want to hear everything about everything about me.

Thanks for letting me know what it's about.


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Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth, and taste...

:haha:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18642030 -

I'm the same way. I shirk when I start to like someone, even semi-strangers, because I've known a lot of pain in close relationships. I keep a select few close but it's a limited sphere. I've been slowly unlearning that recoil response but it's not easy nor quick. I dove headfirst into some nasty stuff as a kid and now there's a serious hesitation before letting just anyone in. Sometimes I wonder if I'm gaining any ground at all.

And sure man I'll put my 2 cents in where I can.


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Why shouldn't the truth be stranger than fiction?
Fiction, after all, has to make sense. -- Mark Twain

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18642261 -

Keep an open mind, it is doubtful you will see any results soon, and if things get worse before they get better don't be surprised. You also have to be weary of psychologists who just plain suck at their job. I have genuinely disliked a few of them and moved on as soon as possible. I saw a psychologist for years before I noticed some real beneficial changes in my life. The main downside is that this shit is expensive, but then again, what is your mental health worth to you? That is not to say that if you don't see an expensive psychologist that you are going to fall to pieces. I am just saying that this is a slow process that requires a trusting relationship between doctor and client.


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Orgone Conclusion...Bringing OTD to PS&P since 2007.

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Kickle]
    #18642272 -

Something to note- a counselor can be kind of helpful if you aren't really looking for "help" from another person.  Like, if you don't want them to tell you what to do or how to live, but you just want someone to talk to and that will listen to you and when you say something you think is crazy, they won't look at you like you're well, crazy.  ((Psychologists can do this too, but counselors do this more specifically))  Over the last two months I've spoken with my school counselor a few times, and I'll probably continue to chat with her.  I don't go to her looking for her to give me answers, rather I just talk about all the stuff that's on my mind and my only expectation isn't for her to give me some weird look like "whoa dude you went too far there."  Hasn't happened yet.  And just by doing that it makes me feel a little better about myself and my life, etc.

I would just go in with low expectations and maybe let it surprise you.  I remember trying to see psychologists a few times back in my late teen years, and I was frustrated for the same reasons as you mentioned in your first two visits.  I had really high expectations but I didn't even tell them what they were.  No wonder it didn't "click."  If it doesn't work for you though, and if you just want someone to vent your feelings to and to listen to you, maybe try a counselor?

:2cents:

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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: lolwut]
    #18642476 -

Discussing all your concerns and questions about psychology with the psychologist might be a good start. Seems you need to know "what you're in for"... but what for? And how much detail is needed for you to know what you're in for? It can be a journey, and sometimes neither the therapist or you could really know exactly what you're in for. That's part of the point. Ideally it can provide a space to explore the psyche into "unknown territories" where you can maybe discover new things about yourself and the world. The psychologist's own experiences can influence their tact with you. All psychologists are obviously different in how they do their thing. Sometimes it can take going to a few different psychologists until you find one that feels right for you. If after a few sessions you feel like you're not getting anything from it, not learning anything, no insights, and not changing, then maybe change to a new psychologist.

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2009/12/wampold.aspx


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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: Mufungo]
    #18642532 -

I like the subject of psychology very much, but in my experience, psychologists are pretty worthless at times, and I've been to plenty of them.

You go in, and it's your job to tell them what's making you unhappy and ask for help with those issues. Let's say your problem is you have no friends. They say stuff like; Well, what can you do to get some friends? What if you smiled and said hi to people at the library today as "homework"? Oh, that would give you too much anxiety? What if we had some practice conversations together? What that would be silly? How about we try something easier like just going to the library. We can practice smiling next week, and combining all three the week after that.

Everything they say is common sense, and if you have a difficult issue like "Should I dump my girlfriend?", they aren't allowed to give advice. All they can do is ask questions and repeat what you said to them. They might say something like You just gave me twenty reasons why you should break up and only one reason why you should stay. It looks like you want to break up.

There are places like shroomerites anonymous, just a good friend, or if you want a real counselor Samaritans.org will do the psychologists job for free (and better since the first two can give advice). Often, you don't really even need help. You could make a little chart with the PROS and CONS on either side and come to a logical decision all on your own.

Something they do that I think is helpful is give you alternatives to medicine. You might say something like the worst part of bipolar is the racing thoughts, and then they will tell you about this technique where you can close your eyes, imagine paradise, breathe deeply, and mentally come up with a short story about why you're there and who's there with you and what you all are doing. Sometimes it's impracticable, but it is quite relaxing. I don't think that information is worth a hundred bucks an hour or more though. You could probably find a book on Amazon that will tell you that and more for twenty bucks.

Finally, if you don't need or want help with anything, you're completely satisfied with the way your life is going, they can't help you at all. All that will happen each time you show up is you'll waste each other's time.


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Re: Whats the deal with Psychologists [Re: 1ve5w4hu]
    #18642836 -

Well I don't really need one I think and my life is going awesome of late, for the first time in years :likeaboss::feelsgoodman: :baaaam: :biggrin:

But the new doctor I'm with says it's mandatory to have a psychologist, and I get 10 sessions free. So, given the responses in this thread, I think I will try to work out some kind of understanding with her. I think I will ask her about some meditation stuff, as she said we'll meditate in our next session. And I guess just talk about whatever comes to mind, like whatever new idea I've had or any questions about the mind or my own psychology. It makes a lot more sense to think of it as exploring, rather than being treated. Thanks guys :cool:


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Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth, and taste...

:haha:

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