I have been ordered to see a psychologist?

Question

I see myself as an individual, an artist. My close friends call me a outcast of society, a freak, which is fine by me.

I have been to 5 sessions with my psychologist but now I feel she is trying to convert me into thinking and acting what is "socially acceptable" which I can understand why, however, my soul tells me I should stand up for my individuality that I believe in instead of being another sheep in the herd. I do not involve myself in any violence, murder or harm to others, I respect all people who respect me, so why should I change my thinking/actions to the way my psychologists sees best?

i have been ordered to go by my government. My ex-employee also suggested it.

I have many friends from diverse backgrounds, and am capable of having social life but it may be a different social life to the norm.

i do not involve myself in self-injury either.

the people i refer to close friends refer me as a outcast of society - not in a negative way. in a way that i know they know me really well.

thanks for your long response iceprinc.... however, i am not living off the welfare. i do pay rent. i pay taxes, i help out with charity work. not only am i an individual, i am also independant. sorry to break it to you but your assumption is totally off scale. i am sorry for your bad experiences.

Answer 1

The fact that you say you were ordered to go by the government suggests that you have committed some kind of offense-otherwise the government would not have become involved.
I too avoid the "herd" mentality and am an individual- a "character" myself.
Individuals, "rebels", nonconformists, and other free-thinkers are the kinds of people who are most likely to change the world in one way or another. At the very least they are remembered after they're gone for being radically different than the mainstream. The idea is that, while you're free to think and act any way you wish to-your freedom "stops at the other guy's nose", so to speak. Society has dictated that there are some general rules which we must all abide by for the greater good. They make sense and are widely accepted.
Your individuality is a good thing and should be encouraged-as long as it doesn't do ANY harm to anyone else. If you have committed some offense-my advice would be to take your lumps-tell 'em what they want to hear to get them off yer back and remember what caused you all that trouble in the first place so you can avoid doing it again. Some things just are the way they are and probably will never become acceptable to society. Maybe not right now-maybe not ever. If you must continue doing what the government got involved for-then you will have to continue doing it where no one else will be exposed to it.
As for being an individual-I applaud you. More power to ya.
"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you will suck forever..."

Answer 2

the mental health services often have been known to persecute "individuals". There are some horror stories out there to back up this claim.

However, there is a very fine line between being charismatic and eccentric and behaving in a wierd or psychotic manner, which could annoy intolerant people to the point where you could end up getting beaten up just out of predjudice, or even worse you could be ostracised by your community. Its far better and healthier to be a "sheep in the herd" than ending up as a black sheep.

You dont want that to happen to you, so be individual by all means, but take caution and try to see your behaviour from a "normal" person's point of view.

oh, and keep seeing your psychologist, there's nothing to lose. She obviously feels that you need help.

Answer 3

Well, I don't think she's trying to force you, but having a social life is important. Friends are there for help and you need to speak up. Being different doesn't make you weird, it makes you unique. I thinks it is great that you want to stand out of the crowd, be yourself, and have fun. You run your life, not your psychologist.

Answer 4

From your accounts, I think you are all right and fine as far as you understand yourself, you know what you are going to be. However, your close friends might be kidding you since I think they respect you as such. As for the psychologist you visited 5 times, if you are required to visit her again, why don't you divulge your opinion, something like you may agree with her about 50% and another half, can she allow you to decide yourself? Take care.

Answer 5

i don't think your psychologist would be trying to change your way of thinking. rather, they would be asking you to challenge the underlying reasons for your current behaviour and life style (what ever that is!!)

your discomfort in this challenging is probably because she has got you thinking about it all. you are probably thinking of her as all the people in your life who have tried to control you. so you are reacting in a way that is resisting.

keep going for a while longer, let her help you explore things further. a psychologist's role is not to make you think any particular way, but to help you understand your underlying motives and drives.

think of it as an exploration into your inner self. she's not some voodoo woman about to change you without your knowledge. it could be interesting for you!

good luck.

Answer 6

You may need to change psychologists. All you really need to do is understand how others see you. Act socially acceptable when you need to, but be yourself most of the time.

Answer 7

I am sorry but artist are usually know as starving artist, unambitious people who live off of other people and homeless people who do not get a job, but dream big. This might be what they are talking about, as the outcast. If this is you, and you insist on living off of others good graces and insist on making them your welfare system , then you need psychiatric help. You are probably old enough to be booted out the door and get a sign like every other homeless person and stand out on the side of the rode and beg for food, instead of living rent free off of someone elses quilt of not wanting to see you actually on the streets, take it from someone who has had many unambitious men who lived off of my own welfare I got from the state, they refused to get a job, or keep a job, I have even had females who thought I could be their mommy, try this on me, and I booted them out the door and ended the freindship. There are programs for bums like you and you need to find them instead of being an Ar-tist and bumming around while the world passes you by, you were put here are this earth for a purpose, FIND YOUR PURPOSE and make a decent living like everyone else!!!

Answer 8

you say you are not involved in any violence, murder or harm to others, but how about to your self? if you truly have no problems then why are you in the Dr's. office to begin with. if you truly are not in any danger or a threat to others then go see another Dr. {why do your "FRIENDS" call you a freak???}
maybe you need different "Friends.

Answer 9

So, what's the problem? Why were you ordered to see a psychologist? By whom? For what?

So far I see no reason why you should be seeing a psychologist, but I don't know the situation.

More info. please.

Answer 10

I really don't think that you should worry about it at all!

When you think of the Nut we have in the White House and the other Nuts that voted for him - I don't think that you are any nuttier than they are!

They are the ones who need and should get mental help!