Dr.Phil

tomorrow Dr.Phil is doing a show about biploar

I saw the show and thought it was very good. I'm proud of him for telling the first lady she didn't need to have custody of her kids until she got under control. She was being verbally abusive towards them. I thought the brain scan they did of the second guy was very interesting and wish I could get that done but I'm sure medicaid wouldn't pay for that.

Jbug

It's really interesting to hear how popular shows deal with issues like this. I was flipping through radio channels the other day and heard Dr. Laura talking a lady who self-harmed. I was stunned! I thought those shows generally screened out the serious issues in favor of the more everyday kinds of things.

well, due to Dr. Phil, my oldest sister thinks that i hear voices and that it takes years and years to be diagnosed. what to do?????

If it were me, whenever I was with your sister, I would, from time to time, look around the room with a puzzled expression and say "Huh"?

But that's just me!
DJ

What time? I am on Eastern time. Thanks!!

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DaveyJones said:
If it were me, whenever I was with your sister, I would, from time to time, look around the room with a puzzled expression and say "Huh"?

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I saw that show as well. I'm glad to see mental illness being discussed publically; hopefully it will bring understanding.

Two things that struck me in the program. (1)All the video of the first woman just showed her abusive side...did anyone see any footage on when she was mellow? That bothered me a little because it seemed to focus on only the negative.

(2)The second guest/man on the show said his dx is bipolar, but hearing voices sounds closer to schizophrenia. Anyone have any knowledge of if that can be a bipolar symptom?

I would also love to have a brain scan done...doubt my insurance would pay for it.

It's the very things like this (I didn't watch the show)that lead to stigmas/stereotyping of those dealing with any mental disorders. Typical media and celebrities, shining a very,narrow,negative,light on the "extremes", and not showing or showing very little, of the the grey area. Stuff leads to the general public, now assuming those being bipolar, or dealing with other disorders, ALL go onto being abusive,psychotic,criminal,etc. Grrrrr!
I personally do not care for this Dr.Phil, cause, many years ago when he was interviewed on the Leno show, I saw and heard him come out and remark about his clients being "nuts", and he was laughing about it!!!! That turned me right off towards him. He is too much celebrity and not a true psychologist in my opinion.

Oprah is going to do a show on people with mental illness do a search for up coming shows and i do know Bipolar is one of the topics

I didn't get to see the show, but I can say these things with confidence:

1. Though not very common, those in severe mania can exhibit psychotic symptoms, i.e. visual and aural hallucinations, paranoia, etc.
2. The lady sounds like my ex-wife, who is rarely depressed (at least as most of us would describe it) and is quite verbally abusive. My ex is Dx'd as bipolar, mixed, and that sounds like the lady on TV.
3. I didn't see the show, but it sounds as if there was little discussion of the depressive side of the illness. That is truly unfortunate, because depression is by far the dominant theme of the disease for most people. I read one source who says that it runs about one month of depression to one day of mania on the average. I think the public hears about the excesses of people in an extreme manic episode, but not the pain of the depressive side of bipolar, the one that makes BP the deadliest mental illness there is.

OK, I'll jump off the soapbox now...

DJ

You are so right, not many hear or see about the depressive side of bipolar(manic-depression) media,news,hollywood,etc. just play up the mania part. Plus they fail to inform people bipolar disorder comes in many colours, other than "black or white", grrrrrrrrrrrr!
Okay, in the art world "black and white" are not considered, colours. But y'all get the idea, right?
So sad when celebrities,news,hollywood, make money off of people with disorders, and really have no clue what it is all about.
DJ, it's fine, get on your soapbox anytime, I think most of us here, at this forum have the same or similar views.
Though not common, people with bipolar disorder can "hear voices" and all the things most commonly heard about those suffering with schizophrenia, but again both disorders have so many levels of severities,variants,overlapping behaviours, etc. Also, many can have more than one disorder, which can add to complications, even misdiagnoses.
I often personally feel, that when one looks at all the various traits/behaviours of so many of these disorders, one can see, even those considered "normal" can very easily fit the criteria of DSM-IV (sp?) and I guess the new updated version, I am not yet familiar with.
Just, Roe, adding her 2 cents on this, "Dr.Phil" topic and the limited,narrow,biased,etc. portrayal of what bipolar disorder is.
Now, I'll step off "my soapbox", ha!ha!

Love to y'all here,
Roe

The diagnosis of schizophrenia is being constantly refined. There are many psychologists that are working hard to show others that many ppl are misdiagnosed, and many might be bipolar -only?- In fact, Bipolar Disorder is usually the first dx with an addition of schizoaffective disorder. Maybe they will even discover a whole "new" diagnosis, currently unrecognized?

Yeah, Dr. Phil definitely goes for the "flashy" stuff. I guess he figures most people know what it's like to be depressed, but seeing a manic episode would be new and titillating for them...all about the ratings. I guess the bright side is that the guests usually get some free services from a real therapist after the show, so maybe they're getting good help now.

Doc's got a blog entry on the schizophrenia/bipolar connection. Interesting stuff.

I saw the show, and I watched it with my fiance' who also has Bipolar...(life is fun at our house); and we both thought it was really good. In a show such as Dr. Phil's, it's not his responsibility to show the 1st. woman's more mellow and pleasant side, as there isn't enough time...one of the things I like about Dr. Phil is that he's very direct.
I thought it was a great show...btw, in Re: to the Leno show that was mentioned in a post, though I didn't see the Leno show that was mentioned, I'm certain that most of Dr. Phil's clients are NUTS.
I'm certain that most of them are...I would venture to guess that many people who visit a therapist don't have a mental illness...the crazy people don't think they're crazy...it's the people that are "nuts" voluntarily go to a therapist because they can't get their life in order...don't be offended, as this is probably not Politically Correct, but come on, aren't we all a little nuts?
Anyway, there are too many people out there who use a mental illness (or supposed mental illness) to excuse bad behavior.
Though I have a few dx myself, I am still responsible for my actions, and don't expect the world to understand my illness if they're not in my shoes.
Enjoyed the show, grateful for any awareness and education in media...was the media (specifically the movie "Mr. Jones") to inform and convince me that I was Bipolar.

Jon, I do not deny, the fact my whole family is "nuts", my brother and I, being the biggest ones, and we joke about it in a lighthearted way. It's just that I had been under the impression when I first saw him on Leno, he was to be compassionate and all, not humourous, but I finally got it.
I was just thinking of those balking at getting help, and then hearing his comment, when perhaps those were not feeling humour when battling with depression,the other side of Bipolar (which I know all so well,been there too) then hearing this "professional" term his clients, "nuts". My former T and I got to joking after lentgh of therapy/meds., I was able to laugh,joke about being "nuts","odd" and in a sarcastic/funny way referring to me and other people with Bipolar, as unique. Didn't see Dr.Phil after that, so I have no idea of how he is with this and clients. Perhaps, someday I'll watch him again, can't hurt, I guess.
I agree, people, regardless of disorder(s) should also take responsiblity for themselves, and if needed, stick with a program, medication or none medication, to help keep check of themselves and thus, responsibility. I guess I am just rambling right now, so I'll stop here.

frankly, I think being "nuts" can be kind of fun, until the walls crash around me...other than that it's fun.
Have fun,
Always,
Jon

I personally do not watch this show. I find his methods closer to being advice rather than therapy. (take his advice or leave it) While I'm sure that it's the flash that keeps the show going, I'm still concerned about the general populus that watch his show, thinks he walks on water, and never have an inkling of a thought that there is so much more to the issues than he highlights.

I recognize that many ppl need -or rather thrive- on this type of show. I only hope he does more good than bad.

I don't watch his show all the time, but enjoy it when I'm bored, but began watching him right after 9/11 on Oprah (around that time anyway) and was very real to me after I attempted suicide in '02..I have found his books to be quite good, and full of common sense...have to agree with the comment concerning "advice" vs therapy...I'm happy to see that he directs people to good therapists and doesn't leave them with his gruff "take it or leave it style."

I read one of his books and I didn't think it was bad. It's basically a rehashing of Reality Therapy, but there's nothing wrong with that. I read an interview with him at one point where he said something along the lines of, "I'm not working as a psychologist or a therapist anymore. I never had the patience for that kind of work. I'm a coach." He's not trying to be anyone's therapist on that show, apparently, but I think he could make that little bit more clear. Go around calling yourself Doctor Phil and it's only natural that people are expecting you to act in your capacity as a psychologist.

That's true, now the "coach thing", I can then give "Dr.Phil" a smile, that's more appropriate. I've heard of people being "life coaches", that better defines what some T's do or are called in to do with clients.
Big wink to y'all.
Roe

Yes, I agree, I can consider him a coach... and of course, he doesn't have to hide his degree, but he could have it made clearer, more often that what he's doing isn't therapy.

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JONALEXA said:
I saw the show, and I watched it with my fiance' who also has Bipolar...(life is fun at our house); and we both thought it was really good.

Enjoyed the show, grateful for any awareness and education in media...was the media (specifically the movie "Mr. Jones") to inform and convince me that I was Bipolar.

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Since my passion is to become an advocate and educator in the field of mental illness, I'm right on with you here in this post.

I was recommended to see Mr. Jones when I was in grad. school and interestingly dating a bipolar man. I still thought that movie brought out too much of the grandiose/violent side of the illness, but at that time I wasn't as educated on bipolar as I am now and was also concentrating my grad. studies on depression.

Years ago I attended a local mental health gathering where the guest speaker was Kathleen Cronkite, daughter of famed newscaster Walter Cronkite. She was fascinating to listen to and presented a very accurate approach from her lifelong battle with depression since childhood.

Her book sounds very interesting (I may read it myself). Amazon.com has a review here

I'm not sure if Patty Duke is included in that book, but she also has written a book on her struggles with bipolar illness. My mother said she saw her recently on a talk show.

Just pushing my soapbox away a lil for the next time I need it.

Yeah, I suppose I can't fault him for using the degree. It is closely-related work. (Now as for Doctor Laura and her Ph.D. in physiology...)

ff_topic:

Oh no! "Dr. Laura", don't even get me started!! LOL!!