Every person I’ve known has been a hypocrite at one time or another. The alternative would be to give people bad advise we know will only lead them to harm. Does that sound like a viable alternative? Of course it doesn’t! What works for one, may and often does not work for another. We do our best and you caring about your hypocrisy means you are likely not engaging in it as much as most.

A few decades ago when I was hospitalized with what I now know was a bad mixed episode, I was not listening to ANYONE in the facility. One of the counselors divulged his diagnosis to me claiming he was not suppose to do so. He ended up being the only person I was willing to talk to at all. If your job is on the line I would not disclose but I don’t feel these rules are helpful. Obviously we are failing hugely in treating mental illness and problems with youth.....people and children are still dying. I don’t think people who have not dealt with mental illness should even be in the field at all.......they cannot possibly understand and have too many biases they can’t see through. Just my opinion which isn’t worth much in the current economic/social climate.

Thank you for what you do and don’t beat yourself up for being human.