Do you think someone with a serious mental illness could/should become a therapi!
Question: Do you think someone with a serious mental illness could/should become a therapist!?
I am just curious to know peoples thoughts on this!. Thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
That depends on what you consider to be a serious mental illness!. I think there are a number of factors to consider, the most important being does the person have insight into their condition and are they safe to practice!? I have known plenty of doctors with depression, anxiety and even one with bipolar disorder!. In fact, there is a very famous psychologist at Harvard named Kay Jameson who has Bipolar disorder and who has written a book on her experiences with the illness!. The common thread for all of those doctors is that they acknowledge that they have a problem, they seek appropriate treatment, and that they recognize when they are not well enough to practice!. Every doctor and therapist has a state liscensure board to which they apply!. If they have an illness that could impair their ability to practice, it should be reported to the board which will monitor the individual to make sure they are compliant with treatment recommendations and that they are stable!.
Some of the best therapists that I have known are ones who have struggled with mental illness in their time!. In fact, the rate of mental illness in the mental health field is so high that it has been proposed that 50% of female psychiatrists will have a major Axis I disorder in their lifetimes!. That having been said, it does not mean that the vast majority of these doctors cannot practice!. Often their own struggles with depression and anxiety allow them to be more empathic to the individuals who they treat!. As long as someone is insightful and responsible enough to recognize their limitations and their transferences towards patients, I do not see a reason why they could not be a therapist!. Its just important to make sure that they are becoming one for the right reasons-to help others not out of a secret wish that in helping someone else, they will actually become cured themselves, that puts too much pressure on the doctor patient relationship!.
Add: Bipolar II shouldn't be a deal breaker!. I would just be cognizant that you have that history and seek help sooner than later if you start to become depressed or hypomanic!. It would probably not be a bad idea to ask a friend or a loved one to be frankly honest with you if they see something concerning!.
When I was in medical school, I developed an eating disorder and depression!. It was something that I struggled with throughout my residency but have done very well and am now a board certified psychiatrist!. During my training, I often had patients with eating disorders referred to me by other providers since I knew what questions to ask so that there was nowhere for them to "hide" with inaccurate answers!. I never said a word about my own treatment but it so informed my practice that patients knew I knew what I was talking about when I asked them questions that others without that experience may have had!. I have no doubt your experience will inform your practice whether it turns out that the diagnosis was spot on or not!. The most important thing is to be honest with this history on your liscensure and credentialing applications!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Some of the best therapists that I have known are ones who have struggled with mental illness in their time!. In fact, the rate of mental illness in the mental health field is so high that it has been proposed that 50% of female psychiatrists will have a major Axis I disorder in their lifetimes!. That having been said, it does not mean that the vast majority of these doctors cannot practice!. Often their own struggles with depression and anxiety allow them to be more empathic to the individuals who they treat!. As long as someone is insightful and responsible enough to recognize their limitations and their transferences towards patients, I do not see a reason why they could not be a therapist!. Its just important to make sure that they are becoming one for the right reasons-to help others not out of a secret wish that in helping someone else, they will actually become cured themselves, that puts too much pressure on the doctor patient relationship!.
Add: Bipolar II shouldn't be a deal breaker!. I would just be cognizant that you have that history and seek help sooner than later if you start to become depressed or hypomanic!. It would probably not be a bad idea to ask a friend or a loved one to be frankly honest with you if they see something concerning!.
When I was in medical school, I developed an eating disorder and depression!. It was something that I struggled with throughout my residency but have done very well and am now a board certified psychiatrist!. During my training, I often had patients with eating disorders referred to me by other providers since I knew what questions to ask so that there was nowhere for them to "hide" with inaccurate answers!. I never said a word about my own treatment but it so informed my practice that patients knew I knew what I was talking about when I asked them questions that others without that experience may have had!. I have no doubt your experience will inform your practice whether it turns out that the diagnosis was spot on or not!. The most important thing is to be honest with this history on your liscensure and credentialing applications!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If this person has "serious mental illness" it will be discovered when and if they try to get the education necessary to become a therapist, it is a lot of schooling for one thing and they won't be able to deal with that!. But, you did not mention what the illness is or if it is being treated or if it something you THINK is serious but is not really!. Sometimes, some illnesses are not debilitating enough to prevent the person from pursuing a career in that field!. There are a lot of "ifs" in this question!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I know that the best therapists are people who have mental illness such as depression and some times well stabilized schopherina!. Who would know best the pain and hell that people with mental illness have to deal with!?!?!?!? Therapists have to undergo therapy them selves to make sure that the are stable enough to become therapists!. So they are more likely to know where to turn if something comes up that they aren't sure how to deal with!. Also since they have been and are dealing with the same issues more likely to be able to connect with the patient than someone who's not!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I think it can work, depending on the illness and whether or not they take steps to deal with it!. A patient will like being able to better relate to their therapist!. But I think it can only work if the person has dealt with the illness before becoming a therapist!. Like I want to a be an art therapist, but I first have to work on my anxiety issues, but I know it's not too serious, and the person with the mental illness will already have experience seeing a therapist and will have a good perspective of what it is like to be a patient!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Generally I would say no, but if the person is able to stabilize their illness for a period of several years and has resources to get help if they need it, then I don't see why not!.
I wouldn't want an actively schizophrenic psychologist, but the psychologist I saw in my teens had had major depressive disorder which she controlled with therapy and medicine!. She was an excellent therapist, and I think that was due in part to the fact that she could relate to her patients so well!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I wouldn't want an actively schizophrenic psychologist, but the psychologist I saw in my teens had had major depressive disorder which she controlled with therapy and medicine!. She was an excellent therapist, and I think that was due in part to the fact that she could relate to her patients so well!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes! Who could best understand the pain that some people are going through mental illness!?
Sigmund Freud said this:
"A certain degree of neurosis is of inestimable value as a drive, especially to a psychologist!."
His work on the origin and treatment of mental illness helped form the basis of modern psychiatry!. In psychology, Freud greatly influenced the field of abnormal psychology and the study of the personality!.
It is believed that Sigmund Freud was neurotic!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Sigmund Freud said this:
"A certain degree of neurosis is of inestimable value as a drive, especially to a psychologist!."
His work on the origin and treatment of mental illness helped form the basis of modern psychiatry!. In psychology, Freud greatly influenced the field of abnormal psychology and the study of the personality!.
It is believed that Sigmund Freud was neurotic!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
of course you can!
you just have to be true to yourself!.!.!.
and stay healthy!. make sure you are checking with yourself!.
b/c you do not want your feelings to get in the way of your patients feelings!.
all of my therapists and doctors and people I have met through my illnesses tell me that I will make a GREAT therapist!.!.!.if I choose that over being a veterinarian!.!.!.
good luck!.
and I know I spelled veterinarian wrongWww@Answer-Health@Com
you just have to be true to yourself!.!.!.
and stay healthy!. make sure you are checking with yourself!.
b/c you do not want your feelings to get in the way of your patients feelings!.
all of my therapists and doctors and people I have met through my illnesses tell me that I will make a GREAT therapist!.!.!.if I choose that over being a veterinarian!.!.!.
good luck!.
and I know I spelled veterinarian wrongWww@Answer-Health@Com
As someone who has suffered mental illness I believe that you should not be allowed to become a therapist unless you have personally experienced it!. Would you take driving lessons from someone who has never driven a car!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
It depends on the illness!. But who could best understand the pain that some people are going through!.
Depending on the illness, yes!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Depending on the illness, yes!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
GOOD QUESTION! Hmmm!.!.!. well, I think if this person has been successful in battling their mental illness, then who better to help others through a difficult time!? Go for it!Www@Answer-Health@Com
There was a guy on TV here the other day and he had bipolar I think and still became a therapist!.
I would not want to take advice from him but yea, he manages!. I know you will have to be assessed yourself in terms of mental health before you can become a therapist!.
In my mind, I would rather advice you to become a social support worker or somebody who writes books, head of a self-help group,!.!.!.all that!. I think those are the places where people really benefit from other people's experience!. I also know that with bipolar you can be fine for a long time, some get the mood swings within weeks, others within months!. just becuase it is 6 months that you are fine does not mean you will be feeling fantastic in 2 month ahead of time!. Sorry, I hope I am wrong!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I would not want to take advice from him but yea, he manages!. I know you will have to be assessed yourself in terms of mental health before you can become a therapist!.
In my mind, I would rather advice you to become a social support worker or somebody who writes books, head of a self-help group,!.!.!.all that!. I think those are the places where people really benefit from other people's experience!. I also know that with bipolar you can be fine for a long time, some get the mood swings within weeks, others within months!. just becuase it is 6 months that you are fine does not mean you will be feeling fantastic in 2 month ahead of time!. Sorry, I hope I am wrong!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Well tbh i have been thinking about this exact subject myself as at the moment i am currently undergoing depression although getting treatment for it presently!. A part of me wants to help people as i feel i am alot more understanding of people with any mental health issue than i was before!. On the other hand i am worried that if i do choose to pursue a career in this area then will it make me unhappy as a result of reminding me of the hardest part of my life so far!? Or will it make me seem like going through these difficult times was really worth it!? I guess it is a personal decision, and it all depends on the personality and traits of the individual!Www@Answer-Health@Com
that sounds like a recipe for disaster!.!.!.so!.!.!.noWww@Answer-Health@Com