Who else thinks that psychiatry is just glorified literary theory?

Question

I can't be the only one. The idea that a bunch of glorified readers of classical and pseudo-classical tropes can actually lock you up is bloody terrifying.

Good for you - letting someone else read your life like it's a novel or something is odd enough, but giving them the power to put you away because you don't conform to their idea of happy or normal is just bizarre

Answer 1

Actually the police can lock you up also, if your behavior is threatening to yourself or others.

Answer 2

Perhaps we should be blaming literary theorists for their fascination with psychotherapy. I'm not aware of the situation in England (I am assuming you're English due to the use of the words "bloody" and "trope"), but in North America, psychiatry has moved away from psychoanalysis and more towards "biological psychiatry", which assumes that most or all mental disorders are due to malfunctioning brain mechanisms. This view has its own faults, of course, in that it ignores the fact that a person's thoughts and perceptions of reality are a legitimate target for therapy. To take an example, giving an abused woman antidepressants because her abusive relationship has worn her down and assuming that that will fix the problem is ridiculous; the woman needs help in getting the courage to leave the relationship and change her circumstances, something that can be a legitimate domain of therapy.

Mental illness and psychological pain are real and do require assistance. Research indicates that the most important factor in whether someone improves through psychotherapy is the quality of the relationship between client and therapist--regardless of the therapist's theoretical orientation.

Psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy are fields which are prone to fads, unfortunately. It's hard sometimes to know what exactly works, even if you're experienced in the field. While I agree that some of the more esoteric writing about psychotherapy is odd and somewhat bizarre, I don't believe that should be an excuse to throw out the whole field.

Answer 3

Absolutely not. I have been in the complete depths of depression and without the help of my psychiatrist and therapists and other mental health professionals I might not be here.

They are not trying to say they know you better than yourself. Most therapy is about listening and guidance. In all my times of therapy there may have been once whenI was told I had to do something.

Psychiatry is a very new science when compared to other areas like physics and mathematics. Its not like having a broken bone where the injury is right there in front of you. It is still in its infancy. So it may seem theoretical because there has not been enough research or knowledge to provide definitive answers. Not to mention you are dealing with the brain which for the most part works mysteriously and science is still trying to understand how it works.

Also, it takes quite a bit to get locked up. Hospitals really are not going to admit someone unless they are actively suicidal or homicidal. Even then sometimes if you have a caregiver they will let you stay with them.

Answer 4

That 5% is under college instructors. Psychiatry is between the few practices that has, in many techniques, gotten extra suitable by using the years. i became considered one of those freaky people who continually took the "counseled, no longer required" historic past of X classes in college (specificially, historic past of biology, psychology, historic past and archaeology) and, frankly, psychiatry in the Nineteen Fifties became barbaric and stupid. My superb pal in the Universe is bipolar, and went by using many years of conversing treatment, a FREAKY CSW who might desire to be sued and all varieties of alternative humanistic based remedies for what's, for her, a chemical imbalance. i think of she will've been on the hot meds for something like a year now, and it is like each and every of the greatness in her is larger and all the matters are lesser. Psychiatry-supported psychology, the place an MD writes a prescription for a Ph.D or MS who makes the authentic diagnosis is poor, using fact psychologists are not incredibly experienced. that's why I, with the early indications of Parkinson's and Thyroid ailment became prescribed an anti-depressant. ...which of course did no longer artwork. Psychiatry-supported psychiatry, on the different hand...

Answer 5

And, where else might a person go to address brain chemistry and function?

Had you ever been in the same house with an out of control person over night - you might consider THAT terrifying.

So, how would you set and maintain limits and safety in society?
Do they all belong in Jail? Let them run free terrorizing others?

Answer 6

Yes and no.
In many experiences, mine for example, its just a case of one bad thing to another. There are a -few- good shrinks out there, I empahsise few, and possibley even less people who can benifit from them who wouldnt do better with just a friend, a journal, and a punching bad.

Answer 7

im not sure i have understood your question properly but my experience with mental health doctors is they are clueless of the damage they do by saying everything a patient percieves is wrong.if they are wrong and told that they are then the dr beter have something to put in the patients mind thats right pretty bloody quick coz if not then thats when you can start to think your jesus or summit as they have just wiped out your life as you thought it had been. its hard to explain wot i mean im afraid

Answer 8

NO WAY! Psychiatry is a serious and scientific explanation of subject of neurosciences and biotransformations.
PSYCHOLOGY is more into theory - pseudotheory unfortunately well glorified.

Answer 9

I couldn't agree with you more. How can somebody who spends an hour or so talking to you, possibly know who or what you are. It's absolutely disgusting. They stick a label on you and dose you up with all sorts of medication and think 'job done' !!
I could go on and on about this but just wanted to let you know i think your bang on.

Answer 10

Yup. They tried to help me but because of the reasons you've mentioned above I decieded not to go to the sessions. I know me better than them anyway!