There’s a certain scorn reserved for people who diagnose themselves with mental illnesses–people who, based on their own research or prior knowledge, decide that there’s a decent chance they have a diagnosable disorder, even if they haven’t (yet) seen a professional about it. I understand why psychologists and psychiatrists might find them troublesome. Nobody likes …
Tag Archive: therapy
Mar 12 2013
On “Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs” and Being a Counselor
Via JT, here’s a new bill that recently passed in the Tennessee State Senate Education Committee by a 7-2 vote: Republican state Sen. Joey Hensley encouraged fellow senators to pass SB 514 to “prevent an institution of high education from discriminating against a student in the counseling, social worker, psychology programs because of their religious beliefs.” Hensley’s bill …
Dec 03 2012
The Problem With “Teen Angst” and Why You Should Take Teens’ Mental Health Seriously
[Content note: depression and suicide] There’s a disturbing and pervasive idea out there that the psychological troubles of teenagers are inconsequential and unworthy of attention because they’re just a part of “teen angst” or “growing up” or whatever. I’m thinking about this now because last night I ran across this Facebook page. It’s called “No …
Nov 27 2012
Dear Northwestern Administration: Wake Up
I have a letter to the editor of the Daily Northwestern today. If I seem kind of angry, that’s because I am. Dear Editor, Today I learned that Alyssa Weaver, the Weinberg junior who passed away last week, took her own life. I didn’t know Alyssa. I could’ve, though, because she was going to move into …
Jul 23 2012
More Than Just a Body With a Broken Brain: Why I'm Choosing Social Work
It would be nice to be called “Doctor.” It would be nice to be paid a very high salary and have a stable job, and to be able to produce an official piece of paper proving that I am Smart. It would be nice to be published in prestigious journals, to receive emails from others …
Jan 08 2012
Everyone Should Go to Therapy
Recently I wrote a post about why some people might choose psychiatric medication over seeing a therapist. (Fine, so it wasn’t that recent. >.<) I promised a followup post about a belief that I hold concurrently–everyone should see a therapist. Now, before everyone freaks out, let it be known that I say “everyone” only in …
Nov 24 2011
Antidepressants and Strength of Character
Spoiler alert: They have nothing whatsoever to do with each other. There are different levels of stigma surrounding mental illness. There’s the stigma of having a disorder in itself, the stigma of being in treatment for a disorder, and, perhaps most of all, the stigma of that treatment being pharmacological. People love to hate psychopharmacology, …







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