Could my therapist be right?

[Anonymous]

My therapist says that I'm fucked up.
Not literally! She's never said "fucked up", but she says that I have a lot of different diagnosis' that all relate to each other:
Aspergers
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
OCD
Sensory perception disorder
Paranoia
And " sociopathic tendancies "
But I feel pretty much like a semi-normal person, could she be lying to me and my parents so we keep going back and giving her our money? Or do I actually have these things? I've been seeing her for a couple of years and sometimes I feel like she's only saying that there's stuff wrong with me so I keep going back.

[ksoma]

No. A therapist makes money (an OBSCENE amount of money) by talking to people about their problems, and by referring them to doctors for medication.
If you don't have problems, or if your problems are minor enough that you don't need therapy, they lose a patient, and easy money.

ANY PERSON ALIVE RIGHT NOW IN THE USA could be, under certain guidelines, by a doctor unscrupulous enough, diagnosed with a half dozen different disorders. That just means that the disorders are too fast and loose with their definition. You know how horoscopes are written in a way that they could apply to literally almost anyone? Some mental disorders are written the same way.

Look, I take mental disorders very seriously. They are real, people with them need help, and science studying them needs more funding. But therapists are some of the most corrupt, manipulative people in medicine, and despite it being a necessary position, and some really are very good at what they do and really care, most are just looking for easy money by gaming a system, and the more they convince you you are messed up, the more appointments you'll make with them.

[NearlyNapping]

If you feel semi-normal, does that mean you feel semi not normal? It helps absolutely nothing to throw around a bunch of names like that. What matters is how you feel and whether you are dealing with life. Everyone has problems with life, and sometimes they can feel overwhelming. So it's a question of whether you are managing on your own or not.

It sounds like you are questioning why you are even going. It seems to me if you really needed to be going then you'd know why. You don't need a therapist placing all kind of labels on you to justify going. The only reason to go is if you are having troubles dealing with your life, AND if the therapy is helping.

If it's not helping you cope, then there is no reason to go. And even less reason to listen to someone loosely throwing around a bunch of so-called "diagnosis".

[Asker]

My parents are making me go

[NearlyNapping]

Why?

[Asker]

I umm... Killed the neighbor's cat... 😓

[NearlyNapping]

Why did you do that?

[Asker]

I was outside playing and I was sad and the neighbors cat came up and started meowing so I petted him, but then he bit me really hard and took a chunk of skin out so I picked him up and threw him on the ground and he died... But it was an accident and I paid the neighbors back, so I don't see why I need to go to therapy...

[NearlyNapping]

That's a bit of an over reaction, but that's far from being any kind of reason to go to a therapist.

What else? Why do you think they'd say you are paranoid?

[Asker]

I don't know!

[NearlyNapping]

If you were really paranoid I think you'd know it. You might be suspicious of people, and think there is something behind their words. But you would also know it and have a sense that something was wrong.

You say you are semi normal. What is not normal?
Just tell me if I ask too many questions. (or just ignore me)

[Asker]

Well people do talk about me.

[NearlyNapping]

If people really are talking about you then it's not paranoia. If they aren't really talking about you, then it might be.

But to directly answer your original question, your therapist might be right, or they might not. I seriously doubt if they'd lie just to keep you coming back though. These kind of things are hard to diagnose, and they can make mistakes. But I don't think there is any motive just to keep you coming back.

But like I said before, it really boils down to whether the therapy is helping or not. Also if the meds are helping.

You haven't really said what YOU think. Which of those diagnosis do you think might be right and which might be wrong? Or are you confused and don't know what to think?

[Asker]

I think that I kinda agree with the first 5.

[rsstanford]

She could be wrong. But if you do have sociopathic tendencies you could be lying right now just to make people believe that she is wrong to make yourself feel better. Have you tried meditation, limiting your intake on certain meats? That could help a lot actually. There are studies on people who have OCD and anxiety who work out and eat healthy can control their Illness better. But if you do have those disorders you must be on some serious antipsychotics, maybe talk to her about other alternatives because when you become so dependent on antipsychotics that's when you really start to be fucked up. Might help to write down what you're thinking. it's possible you could be in denial.

[Asker]

I wouldn't need anti psychotics, I'm on anti depressants, anxiety needs, and some tranquilizers... And I'm not making anything up, I think that she may be.

[rsstanford]

I wouldn't know that unless I actually met you. But sociopaths are excellent charmers though.

[Anonymous]

If you've already gone to other therapists, and your parents believe you need to be there, perhaps there is something to this. It is difficult for ANYONE to diagnose or to know their own issues and don't see how others view or react to our actions or we simply can't for whatever reason. A lot of people feel normal, ditch their meds and think they are okay, only to have to be put back on them.

[Asker]

That's true, I guess...

[Echo123]

Nothing wrong with a second opinion. That's quite a few labels she's given you! I'd get a second opinion. It wouldn't be the first time a doctor's been wrong. 😉

[Asker]

Well... I've had 2 therapists... :/

[Echo123]

I don't know then... Still seems like a lot of labels. I'm not a doctor so... Be careful of reading too much into labels. Sometimes people hear that stuff then subconsciously become those things. Good luck :)

[TrainwreckAdvice]

That could be your paranoia.. I'd keep going. Like every session!

[Asker]

I am... My parents are making me.

[LeFrogDog]

Try switching to a different therapist. You feel semi normal from your own perspective but what really is "normal"?

[Asker]

I've already had two different therapists...

[NYkid27]

I'd get a second opinion because some of those are pretty serious mental illnesses and they need to be treated properly if you do have them

[Asker]

I'm taking meds

[NYkid27]

Yeah but if she miss-diagnosed you then you could be on the wrong medications. It's good to get other opinions because no doctor is right 100% of the time

[Asker]

That's true!

[Mustachekitteh]

I call bullshit with what she thinks you have.

Best to have a 2nd opinion.

[Asker]

Well... I've had two...

[Mustachekitteh]

They both said the same?

Did both of them just shove A LOT of medications at you and not talk much to you one on one?

[Asker]

! No! They both talked to me and gave me medication. And most of the stuff they say is really helpful, I just don't think that they're diagnoses are accurate.

[Mustachekitteh]

If you were any where close to were I live I would say you should see my psychiatrist. :D

[mimieoa]

never go to a therapist! all they want is money. ur dumb for going there lol

[Asker]

Do you see that little think that says (under 18), yeah that means that my parents are forcing me and I kinda have no choice.

[Asker]

Bitch

[OrangeBoy]

That's a real possibility.. : /
Do you have the symptomes?

[Asker]

I don't know :/

[OrangeBoy]

Search in the internet about the symptomes, and ask your mother, or sister/brother, if they see them in you.

[DeltaRoss]

I would have to meet you and have known you for two years to form a diagnosis.

[Asker]

I've been seeing her for a couple years

[Anonymous]

Go to another docs if you're questioning her ethics...

[BellePepper]

Or... This is the paranoia talking.

[Asker]

But if I don't have paranoia then she could tell me that I do to make me think that I do so seven I ask questions like this people could say "it's your paranoia" when in fact I don't have paranoia, right?

[BellePepper]

But we know you do thanks to the two therapists you've seen.

[Asker]

But what if they're conspiring together to tell me that I have paranoia?

[BellePepper]

Stop wasting my time anon

[Asker]

I'm not, I'm serious

[BellePepper]

All I see is more time wasting.

[Asker]

Then why are you still answering? This is a serious question and I want serious answers!

[BellePepper]

I seriously doubt that

[Goldie757]

Seek a second opinion from another therapist.

[Asker]

I've seen two

[Goldie757]

See another, you clearly are not getting the right help.

[Asker]

Okay, thanks

[0112358]

What problems do you have in your everyday life?

[Asker]

Lots haha

[0112358]

Like what?

[Asker]

Well... I don't like people, so it's hard to go to school and stuff. I have no time for any of the things that I want to do. I can't sleep at night. I can't stay awake during the day. I have no friends. I kinda wanna die. My skin and hair are all messed up because I shower 3 times a day... There's a lot more but I can't think right now.

[0112358]

So the labels are useful under two scenarios:
- if they get you funding via government or insurance or accommodations at school that help.
- if therapies that have helped people with some of those diagnoses help you.

Beyond that it doesn't matter if you 'have' these things.

Are you finding your therapist helpful in improving your thoughts and behaviors and ability to function in life?