Why would my therapist ask this?

FearLess47 · Apr 22, 2019 at 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD7970GHZ

FearLess47 brings up some good points. The other part of diagnosis is that we can find something that fits so well and in our desperation to understand our ailments and to heal - we begin to believe that we are our illness. Make sure not to lose yourself in the googling as is mentioned by Fearless47, as that can lead to all kinds of additional issues.

Diagnosis takes a long time to make. It is usually made through patterns of behavior over a long period of time. That is why continuity of care by multiple therapists can be so effective in reaching an accurate diagnosis.

But we know ourselves best. If something truly resonates, and you have read literature and relate to fellow sufferer's stories - then by all means tell your therapist how you feel about it.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

Yes, HD...I was also going to add that my previous trauma T shared with me that when she was in grad school, it was very common for all of the psych students to feel as though they "had" each of the diagnoses they were studying at that time! She said she sometimes hesitates in even making diagnoses now with clients...because so many symptoms can intermingle and cross over. Particularly complex PTSD, which can sometimes be mistaken as other things. It's not an exact science unfortunately as we are "complex" human beings, no matter what our personal circumstances. There is a part of me that will feel relieved if I finally get an accurate diagnosis...but it certainly is only just one little piece of the puzzle.

Hang in there, all of us!

FearLess47

Apr 23, 2019 at 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CartDown

It bothers me a bit. I'm just confused as to why he asked "do you want to be this?" Why would I want that? Is he thinking I want to be miserable? It really only started bothering me after the session and now I feel like he was scolding me in someway because he may think my problems are less significant. Like "kid, you don't even know". But if that's the case, I would at least think he would say "no."

I think you're stuck on the words rather than the bigger picture. Ask your T why he responded in this way and get clarity. I spend way too much time dissecting what my T says, how she says it, and come up with a dozen negative thoughts over things. In the end, none of it ends up being conclusions based on any facts. It's my own insecurities being projected and me allowing them to overpower simple, reality based thought.
It would seem important for your T too want to understand all the thoughts you share. Maybe he just didn't use the perfect words to try and gain that understanding. Clear it up by telling him how his questions made you feel, and allow him to clarify his intent for you.

Wonderfalls · Apr 23, 2019 at 10:19 PM

I think it's a very odd way of wording it. "Why?" follows naturally, but assuming you would want some particular diagnosis seems uncalled for and even intrusive. His next question should have been: " Do you think you fit that particular diagnosis?. What makes you think that?" There's a forum for training and new psychiatrists that seems to me to have a very narcissistic view of patients. They have a long thread of people coming to their office, claiming wrongly to be suffering from bipolar. (the pd's say). There wasn't a single response that explains why the psychs would think people would do that. Not one. That's what your doctor's second question reminded me of It's assuming a lot to believe a patient wants to have a particular diagnosis.

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