Why is the entire mental health field crap?!


Question:

Why is the entire mental health field crap?

Has anyone ever tried to find a good psychiatrist? A good psychologist or LCSW for therapy? How about both? My experiences with the mental health field has convinced me it's almost impossible. Anyone with a success story they'd like to share?

Additional Details

3 weeks ago
"Go make me a sandwich."

100th time I've read that response, still not funny.

3 weeks ago
By the way solo (Luis), you look like a tool on your mysapce page. Seriously, you do.

3 weeks ago
"Your just upset cuz nothing worked for you over here. And you don't want to feel the only one left out. So why don't you go get a psychologist."

Idiot.

3 weeks ago
"Whatever you must be older than me if you are then you must be really immature."

Does that mean you accept your stupidity?

3 weeks ago
And wait a minute, how am I immature oh wise Luis (14 year old extraordinaire)? You're the one who left a bullshit response to my serious question.


Answers:

Finding someone with whom you feel comfortable in dealing with whateve mental health issues you have is not easy. Part of it involves finding the right kind of professional, part of it is finding someone with whom you have good "chemistry." Even then, you're dealing with the fact that real life is complicated.

First, I'd look at what kind of professional you're hiring. In the part of Canada in which I live, most psychiatrists are "biological" in their orientation, meaning that they treat mental health problems with medication, working on the assumption that it's all a matter of brain chemistry. Very few psychiatrists actually *talk* with their patients other than a quick medication review ("how is it working?"). I'm probably safe in assuming that this is true everywhere in North America.

Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and other counsellors or therapists will focus on "talking cures." Here, it's a matter of finding someone with whom you have the right "chemistry"; that is, someone with whom you feel comfortable and whose theoretical orientation regarding treatment is a good match for you. "Chemistry" is difficult to define, but it exists. If you find that your treatment relationship isn't working, discuss it with your therapist. Change is hard work and isn't always comfortable, so it might be that the problem lies more with you. On the other hand, it could also be that you're just not comfortable with that person or that person's approach, both legitimate complaints.

Every "success story" is a product of all sorts of intangible things and there are no "magic bullets" for most mental health problems. You might need to deal with several people in the mental health field at the same time; for example, a psychiatrist for medication and a "talking" therapist to deal with other aspects of your life.

Keep trying. Eventually you'll find someone who works for you.




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