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Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . . (1 viewing) (1) Guest
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TOPIC: Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . .
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Re:Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . . 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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Hi Debby,
As you know, I'm only a student. And of course no person could make a diagnosis based solely on a TV show.
That said, I can see where you would think there is a personality component when thinking of Lisa I. I wasn't a viewer when Tess was on so I can't comment on her.
Regarding personality disorders, there are actually several different ones. There can be overlap in the different diagnostic criteria, but they generally are distinct. PDs are actually very fascinating.
Also, I would like to clarify that although personality disorders are very difficult to treat, they are NOT untreatable. They generally take an extended period of psychotherapy to treat though (often years) and really require a lot of dedication by the person seeking treatment.
Generally, personality disorders are characterized by patterns of behaving and thinking that fit a certain patterns, and often become problematic to the person over time. These problems can be seen in interpersonal relationships, work, school, etc. It is only when the person recognizes that the particular pattern of behavior has become a problem that they can really work on change. This is a very key point because at times the behavior can actually work for the client, and at other times they just can't see how it is causing difficulty in their lives.
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Re:Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . . 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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Good Question!
All of us have some narcissism... and some is healthy. (We have all sorts of other traits in a balance, hopefully, as well!) It allows us to stand up for ourselves in an appropriate way, allows us to care for ourselves, how we look, how we think others see us etc... We have more at certain developmental stages in life, like toddlers and teens!
It's important to remember that people who have an extreme amount of narcissism are not aware of it! When someone tells you you are pushy or defensive, do you always believe it at first? No. Of course not, we aren't aware of these things. But when a personality trait occurs in the extreme, and it interferes with a person's life (friends, work, happiness, relationships, etc...) it may be to a degree that warrants a diagnosis of personality disorder. Narcissistic, Dependent, Sociopathic, Self-Defeating are all examples of other personality traits that can be problematic in the extreme.
(Please, please remember that a psychtric diagnosis is only a recognizable cluster of symptoms, labelled for the purposes of having a common language for treatment and research.)
That being said, I think thet Tess did have an extreme degree of narcissism. She wasn't aware of it, and hard a real hard time understanding the feedback, because inside her head she really believed she was trying. (It is a very painful thing to try and addressd when you THINK you are doing so and are not getting it!) I think we saw the extreme in Tess, and it was probably a diagnosable personality disorder, Nardcissistic Personality Disorder.
Lisa I was another matter entirely. Sure there was some narcissism, but there was also extreme Dependency, and I think some Sociopathic traits as well. So from a mental health point of view, we would think about a mixed personality disorder, not just one type.
It is my belief that a personality develops extreme personality traits because of the way they are raised. Parental influence (or lack of it) joins with the basic character of the baby, and the environment shapes that baby. And a baby will cope whatever way she or he can to get the nees met. Sometimes that's in a narcissistic way. (Lisa I's dad completely overindulged her and encouraged narcissistic and dependent traits.) Sometimes that's in a dependent way.
In any event it is rare that these things resolve on their own. Therapy with a therapist who can and is willing to go deep into the early life of a client is essential to get to the root of how that person developed the way they developed!
If the therapist spends time making the person feel warm and fuzzy, or tells stories about the therapist's background, or chats with the patient then this is not the therapist that can help a person go deeper. The sessions are going to be painful. People don't come to me for warm fuzzies, they come to look at the hard and painful stuff. And I am absolutely willing to go there with them. The dark, the ugly and the painful. 
In the end it is a very warm and caring experience.
Hope this helps,
PeggyHill  
p.s. If anyone wants ideas about how to find a good therapist, feel free to message me privately.
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Re:Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . . 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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First of all, thank you for the very interesting thread and comments!!!
Actually PeggyHill, you ask a good question at the end. And I have a generalized comment/question about that....not specific, so I hope it's okay to ask here.
How do even think you could possibly trust a therapist to even begin to consider going to one?? With family and friends who've had major issues and very bad (even illegal in one case) experiences......and then knowing there are so many different psychological and therapeutic ideas and opinions.....it kind of seems so overwhelming to even consider!!
Just curious as I really have someone in my life who desperately needs this.....but how can I help them trust enough to go if I don't necessarily do so either???
I'm sorry if I got too personal, and I certainly am judging....well, I guess I am from the past "horror stories".....but not you personally!!!! Just hoping that you can shed some light and hoping I'm not the only one who could benefit from the answer!!
Thank you so much!!
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grizzlys4 (User)
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Re:Mental Health Professionals - your opinions . . 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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First of all I want to put on the table that there are some, many bad therapists out there! Many people who go into the work often are trying to solve their own problems, and haven't had the therapy or training adequate to overcome their issues. Like the personality issues, these individuals often can't see that their own issues are adequately contained or resolved to help others.
That being said... here are a few guidelines...
1. Know that you will need to take a risk. That's the whole point, you are going to have to trust someone.
2. Make your first appointment with the intention that this is a consultation. You don't have to stay in treatment with the first person you see. You will have to pay for the consultation. This is our work, our job, and we expect to be paid for our time. It is okay to ask what the fee is for a first consultation.
3. Plan to NOT make a second appointment at the appointment. Inform the person that you would like to think about the session and you will call if you'd like to continue. (If you have a really good feeling, disregard this.)
4. Get a personal referral from a friend or neighbor whom you think has benefitted from their treatment. A referral from your doctor is a good option of you really like and trust your doctor. If not, avoid this as a referral source.
5. Another referral source is the local psychological association. Los Angeles County Psychological Association will give a referral based on your zip code.
6. Consider seeing a therapist near your work. It might be easier to get there is you go before, after or during a lunch hour at work.
7. Back to the trust issue... Expect to be wary. If you have a history of childhood abuse or neglect, of course you will have trust issues, and the therapist will expect this too. Bring it up as the ice breaker, how you know you need to work on issues but have trouble trusting the therapy process.
More in Part 2
PeggyHill
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How to Spot a Poorly Trained Therapist 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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How to spot a poorly trained therapist...
A Poorly trained therapist...
1 ...will tell you your feelings or issues "aren't so bad."
2 ...will tell you stories about themselves.
3 ...will tell you stories about other patients.
4 ...will quickly try to make you feel better, make things very comfortable, without really listening.
5 ...will want to make a referral and put you on medications rather quickly. 
6 ...will give you books or suggestions about books you should read.
7 ...will talk alot or ask a whole lot of questions. 
8 ...will use a tone or attitude that blames you for the difficulties you present. 
Hope this helps...
PeggyHill
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Re:How to Spot a Poorly Trained Therapist 2 Years, 5 Months ago
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Just want to throw out a bit of caution into the thread...
I'd be pretty worried if I was a Mod/Admin of this thread...
There have been a couple of posts by folks who seemed to be reaching out thru this thread, maybe hoping for some therapy or support from those who have stated they are professionals in the MH field...
This makes me nervous...
Those who are MH professionals or training to be MH workers...please be very cautious and alert when posting here - posters are real people... and your advice or comments could be misinterpreted as specific diagnosis or professional advice.
I don't wish to question anyone's claim about training or credentials but I think it is fair to state that this is a virtual situation where there is no way to verify that people are who they claim to be.
I wouldn't want a person who is in a bad place who really needs MH intervention and help to be harmed or led astray as a result of perceived therapy through posts in this place...
I suggest stepping lightly.
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peace (User)
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