RE: Over- and mis- diagnosis of mental disorders (Was: Bipolar Disorder)
June 12, 2013 at 10:09 pm
I don't think I could trust one... Having a therapist who has a "mental illness" either treated or untreated just can't be right, no matter how brilliant they may be.
A treated mental illness usually involves medication and therapy although sometimes it can be treated with therapy alone. Medications can have numerous side effects and anyone who has taken them can describe the effects of incorrect dosages, new drugs or even when ceasing any particular medication. Some medications prohibit the operation of heavy machinery for a reason. For this reason alone, I could name numerous occupations where any person on mind-altering medications (legal and non) should be prohibited. This would also include non-mental medications too depending on effects. The people you entrust with your well-being and safety should be fully responsible for their decisions. Specifically, possesing a drug free and rational mind...
I think if a professional therapist had bipolar that it would also give them a bias towards bipolar disorder. "Hey, I have it too, here, take this drug, it works for me!!!" Then you have the whole emotional aspect of dealing with people's problems. I don't think that someone who is sensitive to their environment should be poking around in some of the darkest corners imagineable.
Either way, it just looks like a lose-lose situation for both parties.
A treated mental illness usually involves medication and therapy although sometimes it can be treated with therapy alone. Medications can have numerous side effects and anyone who has taken them can describe the effects of incorrect dosages, new drugs or even when ceasing any particular medication. Some medications prohibit the operation of heavy machinery for a reason. For this reason alone, I could name numerous occupations where any person on mind-altering medications (legal and non) should be prohibited. This would also include non-mental medications too depending on effects. The people you entrust with your well-being and safety should be fully responsible for their decisions. Specifically, possesing a drug free and rational mind...
I think if a professional therapist had bipolar that it would also give them a bias towards bipolar disorder. "Hey, I have it too, here, take this drug, it works for me!!!" Then you have the whole emotional aspect of dealing with people's problems. I don't think that someone who is sensitive to their environment should be poking around in some of the darkest corners imagineable.
Either way, it just looks like a lose-lose situation for both parties.
