sunny@sun.uucp (Sunny Kirsten) (11/10/84)
> I spent too much time studying the > ins and outs of psychiatric diagnosis, and like many of my fellow > students ended up feeling that the old Bob Newhart show summed > it up best : "Bob, it's all a crock." > > "Anyone who'd go to see a psychologist, > ought to have his head examined!" > "Anyone who'd have his head examined," ought to go to see a psychologist!" How many shrinks does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change. It doesn't matter how you diagnose any mental "oddity" or what label you put on it. The point is that only the "patient" can achieve any useful change. The shrink is merely a "guide". The whole point of a shrink, is that you pay them to be a "neutral" observer. A shrink is someone you can bounce ideas off of, and who has no vested interest that you should decide any problem one way or the other. A shrink is someone who helps you analyze your actions after the fact, not someone who gives you answers. Any shrink who tries to get you to do or be a certain way, is failing. The point is not what your shrink thinks of you, nor what they tell the insurance company they think is wrong with you, or any of that garbage. The point is that a shrink is a friend you can trust to give you an honest opinion in YOUR best interest, not theirs. That's the problem with real friends, lovers, family, etc... they all have a vested interest that you should be a certain way for them. With all the conflicting demands on you to please others, a shrink merely serves to help you decide what YOU want, independent of what others want of you. A shrink simply helps you change yourself. A shrink does not change you, or ask you to change. A shrink is merely a friend who you pay to remain neutral toward you. If you don't want to improve your life, a shrink is a waste of time. You have to be willing to WORK, and to look at things you might not want to see (such as your real self, vs your wonderful self-image). Shrinks are not bullshit. Anything a shrink does for you, is something you could do on your own, or with the aid of real friends. It's just that few people have "real" friends who can give unbiased and educated analyses of what you're doing with your life. I highly recommend the book: "The Road Less Travelled" by M. Scott Peck, M.D. for anyone interested in improving their life. Nobody said that growing up would be easy. -- mail ucbvax\!sun\!sunny decvax\!sun\!sunny ihnp4\!sun\!sunny<<EOF EOF