who tells their T about psych central?

widgets · Aug 22, 2014, 05:32 PM

Or any mental health professional?

I made the mistake of mentioning this forum to my T yesterday. She didn't SAY she didn't approve. But she didn't. And she really questioned Me about whether it was helpful...

I told her it was very different to other forums and everyone here is so respectful and supportive.

Obviously none of us would be here if we didn't think it was a good forum, but what do you think about the affect of being apart of a mental health forum and do you think most doctors and therapists would approve and can you see why the wouldn't?

Aug 22, 2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

Or any mental health professional?

I made the mistake of mentioning this forum to my T yesterday. She didn't SAY she didn't approve. But she didn't. And she really questioned Me about whether it was helpful...

I told her it was very different to other forums and everyone here is so respectful and supportive.

Obviously none of us would be here if we didn't think it was a good forum, but what do you think about the affect of being apart of a mental health forum and do you think most doctors and therapists would approve and can you see why the wouldn't?

One possible motive for a T saying that could be that they fear that the forum threatens their job, i.e. you will get your needs met on the forum and won't need the T anymore.

A less selfish motive might be fear of you being triggered (by other members or their posts), i.e. the forum interfering with the T's treatment plan for you.

I haven't seen my T in a while, but I think I'd tell her about it. I don't think she would disapprove.

How long have you been going to your T ? How much do you trust her ?

widgets · Aug 22, 2014, 06:10 PM

I have only seen her 3 times. I am in the UK so I dont pay for treatment as we have the NHS so I believe her motives are Genuine.

I think it may be more to do with what you said about it possibly triggering me/us. I told her that I do often take breaks from the forum as I can find it triggering.

I think also it could be to do with the fact that on some forums you get a lot of shady characters, bullies or predators or people looking to take advantage of others.

I have been to other forums and this one seems so much better managed with much better members!

widgets · Aug 22, 2014, 06:15 PM

She also says that learning too much about the disorder can be counter productive

shakespeare47 · Aug 22, 2014, 06:16 PM

I mentioned it to my T. I didnt get any particular vibe from him.

technigal · Aug 22, 2014, 06:35 PM

I am here because a T told me about PC.

Mikeyboy · Aug 22, 2014, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

She also says that learning too much about the disorder can be counter productive

How does she figure?

And, I did tell my therapist. She said it was an encouraging sign that I would willingly join a community where I could have the potential to connect with others and learn more about myself as well.

moodycow · Aug 22, 2014, 07:32 PM

tbh i don't care what the professionals think , this forum has helped me far more than any of them !!

Notoriousglo · Aug 22, 2014, 07:40 PM

I told my T and she said she thought it was a good filter for me...whatever that means. She just said to stay out of the forums that might set me off. Reading about my problems does make it worse sometimes. Sometimes I am not sure what is healthy for me. The fact I got a blog here made me happy. Idk, maybe your T doesn't want you getting influenced the wrong way, but there is no perfectly safe place either.

Aug 22, 2014, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

Or any mental health professional?

I made the mistake of mentioning this forum to my T yesterday. She didn't SAY she didn't approve. But she didn't. And she really questioned Me about whether it was helpful...

I told her it was very different to other forums and everyone here is so respectful and supportive.

Obviously none of us would be here if we didn't think it was a good forum, but what do you think about the affect of being apart of a mental health forum and do you think most doctors and therapists would approve and can you see why the wouldn't?

I think this place is just somewhere to go to be able to understand and read what other people with similar issues have to say and how they cope. Everyone has to deal with their demons in their own way, maybe knowing others are struggling too helps look at things differently.

guilloche · Aug 22, 2014, 08:13 PM

I can understand that a T might be worried that one would do too much "processing" here - and then avoid bringing issues into therapy, or that one might get bad advice here (though I think the advice here is usually spot on, given how many people response, bad responses get overruled pretty quickly!)

I also think Ts may not realize how *supportive of therapy* this place is. I could not have brought in some of the stuff for my T that I have if it weren't for this place... because everyone pushes folks here to bring big issues (or issues with the T-relationship) to their T!

Anyway, I've mentioned it a couple times to my T, but didn't want to get into details or tell him the site itself - I don't want to risk him reading my stuff!

Espresso · Aug 22, 2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

She also says that learning too much about the disorder can be counter productive

Do you have any idea why she said that? Why would it be counter productive to be well informed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorcerer 666

I think this place is just somewhere to go to be able to understand and read what other people with similar issues have to say and how they cope. Everyone has to deal with their demons in their own way, maybe knowing others are struggling too helps look at things differently.

I agree completely.

And to answer the original question, I have never mentioned these forums. Probably because I don't want to feel like I'm being spied on.

Aug 22, 2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

She also says that learning too much about the disorder can be counter productive

That, I agree with. It's strange ! On the one hand, knowledge is power, but I found that, once I did all my research on Bipolar 2 and BPD, I became more self-conscious, more stressed out, and less able to interact with people.

Despite that, I'm glad I did all the research that I did. It really helps me move forward with therapy ... my therapists have appreciated the "homework".

MoxieDoxie · Aug 22, 2014, 10:33 PM

I mentioned it to my exT and he said the connections we make on here are just as real as in person so I guess he feels it a good social tool. Never mentioned this to current T.

lozza89 · Aug 23, 2014, 03:38 AM

I haven't mentioned this one to my T but did mention another one to my helpline counsellor a long time ago and she had mixed responses. On one hand she thought it was good being able to get support and advice from others with a real understanding of what I was going through and the fact I was reaching out for support by myself! But she also worried that I may get triggered and/ or not be as up front and honest with my face to face T, or use the forums instead of getting professional support.

widgets · Aug 23, 2014, 05:39 AM

I think her concerns are that I may create self fulfilling prophecies or that maybe think of myself as just a bpd sufferer rather than an individual.

That i also may create harmful relationships with others as well.

Cynefrid · Aug 23, 2014, 08:14 AM

The way I see it: come here to vent and get support, that's fine. But to get educated on your condition or get advice there's better sources, ie books and your psych

shakespeare47 · Aug 23, 2014, 08:57 AM

I see this forum as an easy way to find people that I can relate to and communication with. It's easier in a forum, than it is in real life.

CalmingOcean · Aug 23, 2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widgets

I think her concerns are that I may create self fulfilling prophecies or that maybe think of myself as just a bpd sufferer rather than an individual.

That i also may create harmful relationships with others as well.

I thnk this is the same stance my T has on the forums- when I told her I had a reeeeeeally bad week, it was also the time I told her I was becoming obsessed about learning more about what's 'really' going on in my head, trying to find people I could relate too, others with same experiences. She thought it may have brought me down (or at least contributed).

But I agree with others, I think the feed back always seems helpful, I like it when I can help someone else, it's all very encouraging.

widgets · Aug 23, 2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakespeare47

I see this forum as an easy way to find people that I can relate to and communication with. It's easier in a forum, than it is in real life.

I agree, it wouldn't be easy to be as honest and frank as we all are here in real life. I see where my T is coming from but I like this site so will carry on

Aug 24, 2014, 07:55 PM

My T suggested I find a forum for some extra support, and I'm really glad I found this one. I never would have thought to join such a place, but I've found it to be a really helpful outlet and a way to process things.

I understand the self-fulfilling prophecy idea, as well as the potential to be triggered. I think acknowledging that these risks exist is important so we can have a bit more control and monitor ourselves. But I don't think those are reasons to completely leave the forums.

I am also grateful that the members here are truly supportive and respectful. You don't find that with all forums.

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