psychologists

[Ace-o-fire]

So Ive been recently looking at psychologists recently, has anyone ever been to one, or currently going to one?

does it really help you out?

[Tricen]

You're probably going to get a bunch of mixed replies. Psychologists can be helpful if you are willing to try it. If you go in saying it wont work, chances are it wont work. Also, finding a psychologist that you feel comfortable with is very important.

[Rocl]

Probably one of the better choices in my life.

[SephYuyX]

Find an anon on the internet and vent to them, it'll save you money. Never really saw the point of psychologists, theyre like placebo pills.

[Serif]

Find some one in your life that you can vent to.

My parents have been someone I can easily talk to about all my problems. Sadly, most people I know won't talk to their parents about their problems.

I will never pay for professional help, mentally that is.

[EternityEnd]

I wish I could go to one, but I'd only do it if no one knew.. Which isn't possible.

[Lordwafik]

Find an anon on the internet and vent to them, it'll save you money. Never really saw the point of psychologists, theyre like placebo pills.

wow lol.

Anon on the internet aren't trained to deal with the things psychologists are. They can give you advice based on what you say, but a psychologist will make sure you're not lying to him (and yourself) before he/she helps you realize what path you should take in your life.

[fantasticdan]

Hopefully you'll find a good enough psychologist that will tell you you're depressed and throw pills at you.

[Khalil]

Find an anon on the internet and vent to them, it'll save you money. Never really saw the point of psychologists, theyre like placebo pills.

I gotta agree with Seph on this. Just get yourself a girl and bitch to her.

[Gunitsoldier]

Imo, psychologists are for people who -for some reason- don't trust the people they live and interact with and therefor can't come open about theirselves to them.

In other words: Trust issues? Psychologist. If you trust your friends or family, just talk to them.

[Sojourn]

Anon on the internet aren't trained to deal with the things psychologists are. They can give you advice based on what you say, but a psychologist will make sure you're not lying to him (and yourself) before he/she helps you realize what path you should take in your life.

Very much agreed.

If you just want to talk AT someone, then sure, find an anon and vent to them. If you'd like to talk to someone who is trained to handle various types of situations and give you an educated and experienced answer, then I would talk to a psychologist. If your problem is serious enough that you would think you need to talk to one, then maybe you should. You can always go once, and if you don't like it then just don't go again. I'd say thats worth the payment alone.

[Alleya]

ITT: Ignorance.

Psychologists are trained to recognize cognitive and behavioral processes that are at the core of life problems. They are trained to recognize the symptoms of mental illness that no lay person could ever even notice, let alone identify. Psychologists are trained to help you change your thoughts or behavior in a healthy, constructive way that will lead to better life quality and solutions to the problems you have. These are not things you can get from people in every day life. I don't care how much ignorant chest-beating people want to do about the power of family and friendships--the fact is you are wrong. Social support only goes so far and is as limited as it is powerful. In many cases, the problems someone experiences are actually coming from their social support network and they don't even realize it.

If you think you should see a psychologist, then you definitely should. It's not a commitment, you don't have to see them more than you want to and you don't have to take drugs if you don't want to. You can go and just check it out, tell them what's bothering you, and see what they say. It's easy to view them as drug-peddling quacks, but the fact is they didn't spend 8 years in school because they wanted to give people prescriptions. They did it because they have a desire to help people, and don't you forget it. ;x

[Demosthenes11]

I don't think most of you understand what psychologists are for...
They aren't people you vent to, or tell your darkest secrets necessarily, and they aren't only for crazy people

they ask you the right questions, make you think about decisions you have made and are about to make, and in most cases improve your life. I've thought about trying one out, but I'm the kind of person that wouldn't like the guy/girl for various stupid reasons and make excuses to stop going ;x

[isladar]

I'm the kind of person that wouldn't like the guy/girl for various stupid reasons and make excuses to stop going ;x

This is an important consideration. A therapist/psychologist/etc. is not there to be your friend. Its undoubtedly better if they aren't someone you'd want to go have a few beers with.

[Sojourn]

ITT: Ignorance.

Psychologists are trained to recognize cognitive and behavioral processes that are at the core of life problems. They are trained to recognize the symptoms of mental illness that no lay person could ever even notice, let alone identify. Psychologists are trained to help you change your thoughts or behavior in a healthy, constructive way that will lead to better life quality and solutions to the problems you have. These are not things you can get from people in every day life. I don't care how much ignorant chest-beating people want to do about the power of family and friendships--the fact is you are wrong. Social support only goes so far and is as limited as it is powerful. In many cases, the problems someone experiences are actually coming from their social support network and they don't even realize it.

If you think you should see a psychologist, then you definitely should. It's not a commitment, you don't have to see them more than you want to and you don't have to take drugs if you don't want to. You can go and just check it out, tell them what's bothering you, and see what they say. It's easy to view them as drug-peddling quacks, but the fact is they didn't spend 8 years in school because they wanted to give people prescriptions. They did it because they have a desire to help people, and don't you forget it. ;x

Well said.

[SephYuyX]

Oh please, I admit i've never been to one, but what 'problems' are people having that cant be solved by talking to anyone else?

"Oh Doc, im so depressed and alone, I think im going to go kill myself"
"Tell me, do you dream about killing youself, son?"
"Yes, all the time, omg how did you know?"
"Years of experiance, son, now, what you need to do is take some of these pills, and go be more social"
"Thank you! Im going to go turn my world around right now!"

Anyone smart enough can solve whatever problem, though for some people they like to hear that info from a person with a 'degree', that's psycology for you. If a person hears something coming from a person of a higher status or more educated, theyre most likely to believe them.

Now seriously, im sure this post is going to cause people to bitch, but really this is more of a question, I want to know some sort of issue that cant be talked through with someone else. Not attacking anyone here personally, if it works for you, fine good luck to you and im glad things are now better for you, but I just dont see how weak minded someone has to be to go see one. Maybe there are some people out there looking for some sort of drug to make it all easier, more weakness, what issues cant be solved with drugs?

I dunno, I dont mean any offence , I just find it really hard to believe that you cant get the same help from a true friend. That friend will prod you just as much to get questions out from you, and help as much to steer you in the right direction because they care for you and want to see the best for you.

[Ehran]

Probably one of the better choices in my life.

Seconded.

I was very apprehensive about seeing a psychologist at first. Now, I really believe that everyone should see a psychologist. I think of it now like regular automotive maintenance. You service your car regularly, get the oil changed every 3,000 miles, and that prevents you from breaking down while you're driving on the road.

IIRC: Psychologists focus on therapy, and do not prescribe any drugs at all.
Psychiatrists are the ones licensed to prescribe medications.

I currently see a psychologist, she works closely with my MD. Any prescriptions that I've taken have all come from my MD.

[shihei]

Went to one when I was a young reckless teen and it did help me out if only from knowledge bombs being dropped on me.

If you do go to one and he does just end up throwing pills at you, I hope you don't just jump right into them without doing research about whatever pill it is. Just about every single pill they would through at you for whatever, slowly builds up toxins in your body and addicts you just as bad illegal drugs.

I want to say trust the person and not the pill.

edit: oh psychiatrists then. ok.

[Ehran]

Oh please, I admit i've never been to one, but what 'problems' are people having that cant be solved by talking to anyone else?

"Oh Doc, im so depressed and alone, I think im going to go kill myself"
"Tell me, do you dream about killing youself, son?"
"Yes, all the time, omg how did you know?"
"Years of experiance, son, now, what you need to do is take some of these pills, and go be more social"
"Thank you! Im going to go turn my world around right now!"

Anyone smart enough can solve whatever problem, though for some people they like to hear that info from a person with a 'degree', that's psycology for you. If a person hears something coming from a person of a higher status or more educated, theyre most likely to believe them.

Now seriously, im sure this post is going to cause people to bitch, but really this is more of a question, I want to know some sort of issue that cant be talked through with someone else. Not attacking anyone here personally, if it works for you, fine good luck to you and im glad things are now better for you, but I just dont see how weak minded someone has to be to go see one. Maybe there are some people out there looking for some sort of drug to make it all easier, more weakness, what issues cant be solved with drugs?

I dunno, I dont mean any offence , I just find it really hard to believe that you cant get the same help from a true friend. That friend will prod you just as much to get questions out from you, and help as much to steer you in the right direction because they care for you and want to see the best for you.

Your sample "dialog" that you posted is nothing at all like the sessions that I have with my psychologist.

Go back and re-read Alleya's post, that's really the best way to explain it.

In many cases, the problems someone experiences are actually coming from their social support network and they don't even realize it.

This is one of the best reasons to seek an experienced, trained professional.

In the cases where you have a reliable and healthy support system that isn't contributing to your difficulties that still isn't going to be enough because your social network will not be able to recognize and treat the biological effects of whatever condition you may have.

My friends are all very intelligent people. None of them could tell me about all the lower-GI problems I was having when I was only able to sleep for ~3 hours a night.

[Nystul]

Oh please, I admit i've never been to one, but what 'problems' are people having that cant be solved by talking to anyone else?

"Oh Doc, im so depressed and alone, I think im going to go kill myself"
"Tell me, do you dream about killing youself, son?"
"Yes, all the time, omg how did you know?"
"Years of experiance, son, now, what you need to do is take some of these pills, and go be more social"
"Thank you! Im going to go turn my world around right now!"

Anyone smart enough can solve whatever problem, though for some people they like to hear that info from a person with a 'degree', that's psycology for you. If a person hears something coming from a person of a higher status or more educated, theyre most likely to believe them.

Now seriously, im sure this post is going to cause people to bitch, but really this is more of a question, I want to know some sort of issue that cant be talked through with someone else. Not attacking anyone here personally, if it works for you, fine good luck to you and im glad things are now better for you, but I just dont see how weak minded someone has to be to go see one. Maybe there are some people out there looking for some sort of drug to make it all easier, more weakness, what issues cant be solved with drugs?

I dunno, I dont mean any offence , I just find it really hard to believe that you cant get the same help from a true friend. That friend will prod you just as much to get questions out from you, and help as much to steer you in the right direction because they care for you and want to see the best for you.

First, lets make some distinctions- many people see psychologists, which do not prescribe medicine. Only a psychiatrist can do that.

Secondly, distilling the practice down to simply "someone that will sit and listen while you talk, a friend is good enough" is like saying that you don't really need a doctor, just a friend with some bandaids. My fiance sees a guy because she has generalized anxiety disorder and she's working on learning how to cope with her anxiety without relying on medication. This isn't an issue of being "weak minded," rather it's about having someone there that has seen people go through similar situations and can offer guidance. Anyone can get off track in life- yes, even you- and it can help to have someone there to help find your way back again.

If there was a problem with your leg, you'd go see a doctor. If there was a problem with your eyes, you'd go see a doctor. If there was a problem with your stomach, you'd go see a doctor. And in each case you certainly wouldn't say "how physically weak of you to go see someone. Just get over it on your own." Then why not, when there is an issue with your brain- your thoughts, the way you think, etc, would you not seek assistance?