Comments on: Mama’s Boy

By: Roberta

Roberta — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:58:05 +0000

Me and my therapist have humor. Not all of it at my expense.
And absolutely get the Thai massage. It’s better than Thai iced tea. It’s like yoga that someone does for you.
Happy Passover.

By: cruisin-mom

cruisin-mom — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:38:17 +0000

I say, try the prozac

By: sbukophile

sbukophile — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:48:40 +0000

Sort of related topic–I just listened to last week’s This American Life and one of the stories was about a guy whose father sent him a bill for raising him–to the total of $2 million. Watch out, your mom might decide to do that to you!

By: Two Roads

Two Roads — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 23:38:54 +0000

My original comment got eaten by the blogger god so here’s my substitute:
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they’re okay, then it’s you.” - Rita Mae Brown

By: Lefty

Lefty — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:29:37 +0000

Wives think they are SO funny.

By: Think Jacob

Think Jacob — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 11:52:20 +0000

I like how you tried to joke with the psychiatrist. That’s comedy.

By: kanani

kanani — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:43:18 +0000

First of all, any anti-depressant takes 3 weeks to see the effects. Second, medication isn’t straight forward. Often, the doctor and patient have to try many before finding the right one. Unless you are clinically depressed or suffering from acute anxiety or OCD traits that are easily recognizable, then perhaps you can hold off for now.
Consider getting a good psychological workup. It consists of MANY questions on questionnaires. It will also cost you a lot of money, but in the long term, will be worth it.

Overall, I’d look for someone who is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in cognitive therapy. You might want to sit down and write:
1. What do I want?
2. What perceptions do I have about myself that is causing me to seek help?
3. What are the circumstances that are making me unhappy?
4. How much work am I able to put into this both time-wise and financially?

Before going to a psychiatrist, go to a psychologist. Don’t be turned off w/ the idea of medications if after an amount of time, it’s decided you need them. It’s shown, however, that the patients who do the best with medication are also receiving therapy.

Look here: NAMI

So the two do go hand in hand, if your issues are organic.

Good luck, be well.

By: Miss Syl

Miss Syl — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 05:00:06 +0000

I find a doctor who is willing to prescribe you medication while you’re not going to be under their care to be highly suspect. Other things people above have mentioned are also off–the typing while you talk, the not laughing at your jokes.

Reading from a book while talking to you? What, is it his first time with a patient? Did he have to look up what to ask you?

And offering you even a tentative diagnosis after one session is RIDICULOUS.

The only smart thing he did was recommend you see someone else. You need to run FAR AWAY from that guy.

And though it definitely does sound like you need a therapist rather than a psychiatrist, I’d be hesitant to limit yourself to his recommendation of what “style” of therapist to go to. His whole deal seems so sketchy, I’d not take his word as definitive. Just go to a therapist you feel “gets” you, and who, for god’s sake, can tell the difference between a joke and a serious statement.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:28:56 +0000

Ah, Neil, therapy is not easy. And letting yourself be vulnerable, really vulnerable, in fact, PAYING someone to make you vulnerable, without always being able to deflect with humor, is scary and hard. Good for you for taking this step. It’s one many people who really need it avoid.

By: Linda Freedman

Linda Freedman — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 03:38:55 +0000

Excuse me. What do you mean,
therapy = not funny?