Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pain Clinics as the New Exploiters of Pain Patients

Posted on May 29, 2019 by left0089

It finally happened to me. I watched and reported on it for years, and now I am the subject of my column on abandoned patients. My doctor referred me to a pain clinic for continuing opioid prescriptions. He informed me … Continue reading →

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Former Drug Czar: going after prescription opioids is wrongheaded

Posted on May 11, 2019 by left0089

https://www.foxnews.com/health/former-drug-czar-opioid-epidemic-focus-missing-real-culprit

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https://truthout.org/articles/rise-in-white-prisoners-shows-prison-racism-goes-beyond-disparities/

Posted on April 29, 2019 by left0089
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How does one acquire a “Thicker Skin” in dealing with highly emotional taxing careers such as a Psychologist or Psychiatrist?

Posted on April 22, 2019 by left0089

“Thick skin” is a provocative notion about which all new therapists should consider, then reject. In my work and with those younger therapists with whom I’ve taught and consulted, I do the opposite. I try to help them become even … Continue reading →

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Should a psychotherapist be completely transparent in patient interactions? More specifically, should they openly express or conceal their emotions and reactions to the patient?

Posted on April 18, 2019 by left0089

The answer depends on the patient, her/his diagnosis, and the state of the relationship between us. No, in general, I am cautious about many of my thoughts and feelings as I treat them as speculative. However, if what I am … Continue reading →

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I’ve been told that all personality disorders are egosyntonic, and that therefore if I wonder about having BPD I don’t, and should not see a doctor. Is this true?

Posted on April 14, 2019 by left0089

Ask yourself this, Dan. Would you find the following egosyntonic: afraid that everyone despises your very presence. How about this: you fear close emotional relationships based on the “crazy” closeness that you experienced as a small child. Add to that … Continue reading →

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I think my therapist is retiring.She knows I have abandonment issues.I think she is testing me.Something about the way she is acting makes me feel she’s getting ready to tell me she will be leaving. Do therapist test their clients? How can I tell?

Posted on April 14, 2019 by left0089

No, I can’t imagine a competent/ethical therapist “testing” any patient. The best way to handle this, and likely a good step for you, would be to talk to your therapist about your fantasies of being abandoned by her. I suspect … Continue reading →

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Should there be a government agency dedicated to reducing the number of psychopaths, sadistic people and people with anti-social personality disorders to improve public health and the overall quality of life?

Posted on April 14, 2019 by left0089

In short, no. I can’t imagine giving that kind of intrusive power to the state. It smacks of the worst sort of authoritarianism. Education about mental illness and providing sufficient public funding for mental health services would be wondrous. I … Continue reading →

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Yuya, this is an insightful question that seems to trap most inexperienced therapists. I welcome such communications. It often reveals a benchmark of change when the patient can challenge me. This challenge is exquisitely dangerous to the patient as s/he thinks I will become angry, withdrawn, maybe rejecting, haughty or even narcissistically demand that they the retract the objections if they wish to continue working with me. These are usually transference based expectations. However, many patients run into inexperienced or un-analyzed therapists who’ve yet to resolve their issues in this fragile domain. When this happens, the rule is thus for the therapist: do not attack, do not withdraw from the patient. Accept the patient’s point of view and search for the truth of it. Once the therapist can acknowledge the delicate parts of the patient’s experience as real and crucial, then, with great tact and skill, the therapist might inquire into the transference aspects of the communication. A competent therapist will acknowledge her/his contribution to the interaction. S/he will then be able to assist the patient in looking at the historical antecedents of the criticism,, and the patient’s fears of stating her or his truth to the therapist whom they feel, rightfully, injured them.

Posted on April 14, 2019 by left0089

Without knowing a great deal more about you and what you consider “paranoia” I would be taking huge liberties with you. Those liberties would be crummy psychotherapeutic help; in short, no help at all and very possibly misleading and unethical. … Continue reading →

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Do therapists ever have sessions with clients who tell you that you’re not doing a great job and you’re not helping them? How do you feel and what do you do?

Posted on April 13, 2019 by left0089

Yuya, this is an insightful question that seems to trap most inexperienced therapists. I welcome such communications. It often reveals a benchmark of change when a patient can challenge me. This challenge is exquisitely dangerous to the patient as s/he … Continue reading →

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