How should I tell my psychologist that I won't allow him to

Post Reply New Topic

I have found myself more than once in situations with psychologists in which the psychologist's argument consisted of his assertion that I had to obey his commands because I was depressed and that my reluctance to obey his commands was a symptom of my depression. Essentially, I told the psychologist "no, I won't take medications" and the psychologist responded "you say 'no' because you are depressed, so you must obey."

Without dwelling too much on paranoid scenarios involving the arguments that could be rationalized with that type of logic, what's the proper way to explain to the psychologist that his argument is invalid and that my decision to not consume mind altering substances that often produce undesirable side effects must be respected?

Is it possible for you to get a new psychologist?

Say "Don't ever mention that again". Just in a normal voice. If he/she doesn't understand where you're coming from after that, tell the psychologist to do their job instead of just assigning you a label, or you'll leave and find someone who will.

And the psychologist will say that the only reason I say that is because I am depressed.

Than they are not doing a good job. They are not helping you by trying to drug you and tell you how sad you are.

My therapist told me I shouldn't have been medicated as a child. She told me it is fine to be depressed. She actually talks with me instead of just telling me I'm sad. I wouldn't be seeing her if i thought i was happy.

It took me a long time to find a good therapist but if you choose not to take medication you shouldn't be forced by your psychologist .

Your psychologist is there to help by listening and offering to teach you skills to deal with your problems. not drug you and then ignore what you have to say by telling you your depressed.

If your depressed your psychologist should focus on finding out why.

Its great your standing up for your self!

Get a new Psychologist. You have a right to make your own decisions. I had a point where I stopped taking my meds, but I had to go back to them. And that was my choice, to stop. It should be your decision.

The question is Are you depressed?, if you are depressed then there is nothing wrong with his logic. If he is unwilling to explore non-drug avenues to deal with your depression, then more than likely he is unable to, or is not confident in doing so. You may need to find another psychologist.

Another vote for a new therapist.

Regards,

Patricia

My advice: next time you go there, tell him that using a depression diagnosis to justify forcing you to do things against your will is illegal (unless youve been committed, which you havent). Tell him if he continues to do this, you will contact the authorites and he will be charged with malpractice. Make sure you bring a cellphone with you, so that he knows you mean business. Then stand up, inform him that his services are no longer required, and walk out of the office. If he attempts to stop you, call the authorites immediately. If he physically attempts to stop you, kick him in the balls, knee him in the face, pivot and do a side kick to his chest, and THEN call the authorites.

Persistent disobedience is not a symptom of depression; it is a symptom of oppositional defiant disorder. I would not want to use medications prescribed by a doctor who does not know this, and I would especially not want to use antidepressants prescribed by such a doctor.

I had a similar situation with my psychotherapist. You shouldn't have to waste your time or money on a psychotherapist that isn't helping you. Simply just say that it's not working out, and look for a new one.
Obviously, I wouldn't recommend insulting or getting back at your psychotherapist like what I did. (After that I decided that I don't want to make personal statements in the future when I give people criticism.) That made things worse. After that, I wanted to apply for a government disability job employment agency. I had a feeling that my psychotherapist wouldn't want to help me after what I said to him. When I applied, my representative phoned him and left several messages, and he had to extend the deadline to hear about my case because my therapist wasn't sending back the records. Then, finally when he did send them back, my case almost got rejected because I was almost considered too severe to work, in spite of the fact that it took him a few years to diagnose me with AS.

another vote for a new psych.

I do not think kicking him in the balls is a good idea. This could be classed as being a danger to others and you could get forcibly committed.

But the rest of what Roxas_XIII said is good advice. If the law is on your side your therapist wont be able to bully you into staying.

what?

If the psychologist told you "because you have Asperger's Syndrome, you don't know what's best for you, therefore you must do what I tell you," there isn't anything wrong with that logic either?

As to the answer to your question, the last 3 shrinks I saw told me that I was not depressed. I was talking about an experience that happened over 5 years ago. I am officially not depressed and my position is the same: I don't want medications.

What are you going to say now? That I say I don't want medications because I am stupid and therefore must obey any psychologist/psychiatrist who tries to foist them on me?


Any person who thinks there is nothing wrong with that logic is seriously stupid.

Psychologist is full of poop.

YOU decide what treatment is acceptable and what is not. Medication only masks the problem, it never solves it for most cases, and it should only be used in extreme cases (hospitalization).

If he won't respect your desire to deal with your issues without using drugs, he does not care about you as a patient. Find another doctor.

From my personal experience, they'll keep nudging you forever. Towards the end, I'd just listen and nod and then change the subject. Just think about something else while they're blabbering about the anti-depressants.

However, my objective life problems became so unbearable 2 years ago, that I went to the doctor's by my own initiative and started taking an anti-depressant, much as I hate it, to be able to function.