I never wanted to be a case study when I grew up

My T's practice is about half counseling and half research / teaching & training. She's told me she's used me as an example when she's training other therapists in the past, always anonymously as "a client" of course. This week she's giving the key note address at an addictions conference and she said she was going to use my experience with AA as an example.

It just feels kind of weird to know that I'm being used as a case study in a psych talk. It doesn't really bother me, it just feels weird and a bit of oh I must be really strange...

---splitimage

(((hugs)))) not strange, special? You might be textbook! That could be a good thing, btw, with the healing aspect of it.
Glad she shared with you.

i have that kind of experience too.
He was my first doctor and he told me that he was gonna make a video of me and all the stuff.yet he didnt seem to be more worried about my recovery than his own progress of reserch . And it gave me a feeling that all he wanted was to make the most of my case : for his own purpose.

I'm glad you don't feel bad about it. How would anyone learn without examples? It doesn't mean you are particularly strange, just that your case demonstrates a point your T obviously wants to get across to the group. My T is talking about writing a paper on how difficult it is to treat a staunch behaviorist! I teach and I use examples about family and friends (anonymously, of course) all the time. It helps students understand how the material applies to real life examples.
I agree with Sky - feel special instead!

I totally understand what you mean. I am my T's case study for advanced training. Here's how I look at it - I'm getting more thought, more supervision, more talented people looking at my stuff and offering insight. I'm getting the best treatment ever! Don't think of it as a bad thing....

I see nothing wrong with T's using their patients anonymously as instructional case scenarios or examples in presentations. Patient problems and clinical scenarios are important learning tools. They give students a chance to problem-solve, see the complexities of patient care, and explore potential outcomes of various treatment approaches.

Behindthemoon what you described, the video taping and feeling like his lab rat, sounds is a bit over the top.

If you are a part of a formal research study, it should be fully disclosed to you BEFORE the treatment starts and you should have the option of declining without it hindering your overall care.

I have been used as a case study many times... I personally do not like it.. that is my take on it.. I am sure you only wanted positive spins...

For me.. I saw my T... in an outpatient center of a big psych i/p and o/p hospital.

It was a teaching hospital... when I signed consent form.. I indirectly gave consent... to having my case up for review...

And my T used my case.. to train his students.. as well as.. it was brought up in their monthly review of cases of all the therapy.. where the therapist exchange ideas and learn from each other..

And.. no.. I did not feel "special"... I felt invaded...

But I did not leave because the therapist treated DID patients - something very hard to find years ago...

I can see where some of the members that posted on your thread consisder it positive.. as one at least is a T....so.. of course.. what would one expect - a therapist would support this behavior..

My first therapist... also used my artwork.. and such.. in his own book on DID.. without my consent... he claimed the material to be belonging to him... as I submited it to him while in therapy..

And I am sure the book taught many about DID... but.. again I felt invaded... and exposed.. and no I did not like it..

I feel.. that.. I had to pay a "price".. to get the treatment I needed.. and.. I will always view it that way...

The one T.. I could have left... but finding another.. T that did DID work back then... well.. wasn't going to happen.. hence the "price"..

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
freewill said:
also used my artwork.. and such.. in his own book on DID

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I don't know... this does not sound ethical to me. Maybe there is a different standard for psychology. However this does not sound right at all, especially since the author is making money of the sale of the book. Just because he claimed the material belonged to him doesn't mean it does. Freewill did you just let it drop or did you pursue it with the publisher? I've published a case report (not in psychology). Even though the patient's name was not used I still provided the patient with a copy of the manuscript and got her permission to submit it for publication. This was standard procedure in my profession.

This is off thread (so sorry)... I had seen this T for a number of years... he worked for an publishing house in a very large city.. prior to becoming a therapist.. he was a therapist for 2 years... when I entered into therapy... and so was "older" than the norm..and it was a huge practice of therpaists..

I was ill..worked full time.. had on-call.. and a child to raise.. so I didn't fight it..

He also copied.. all the personal notes... everything that was not "offically clinical"... and told me that he kept.. it in a cabinet.. residing in his home.. in his basement..

But to not worry - the cabinet was locked...

so.. I guess I am a "broken record" here on PC... because I know someday... when he passes.. my personal thoughts.. feelings.. artwork.. creations... reside in that file.. and someone related to him.. will have it... as they take care of his personal effects... which is my personal file..

and yes.. he still practices... he is much older pass the norm.. even now..

and forgive me for highjacking the thread..

I agree using your artwork without giving you credit or even asking your permission is unethical. It is not typical behavior of therapists. I think you got a lemon there.

My pdoc is using me as a case study, but only writing papers on my case. Doesn't bother me. If it helps anyone else, I think it would be great. She's on the cutting edge for meds & treatments (advocating yoga & exercise & certain supplements,etc.).

Plus, I was in a study that universities all over the country are doing with people who have bipolar 1 & have immediate family members with the same dx or with mood disorders in general. (Mom bipolar; both kids have had major depressive episodes; daughter now may be showing signs of bipolar). Anyway, it was a bunch of intensive interviews & a blood test. I'm all for the cause of finding a cure or better treatments. My mother ended up in committing suicide in a bipolar depression & I've had a few attempts myself. Save others from this misery--YES--Suzy

I think... that... is the difference... you see...

your open consent... to being a case study.... you being asked.. do you want this????

when someone gives you a "choice".... then you do not feel "used"...

if I had a choice... what would I have said??? I do not know..

with the therapist at the o/p center... he said.. if you want treatment with me.. then.. yes.. I will use your case...no if's.. no but's.. no "give" no "take"...

and.. again... yes I could have left.. but it is very difficult even now to find DID treatment..

so if someone asked me.. "would you do a case study for me?"..

my guess is my response would be different... because I would feel "valued"... like a "person.. with choices"

Although I still don't think being an anonymous case study for instruction is negative, it sounds as if some abuse of rights is going on with some of you. My T and I made a deal that includes destruction of my files when I go. If he ever really does use me as a case study for publication, I would only agree to it if I had editorial rights. Oh yeah, as someone seemed to imply, I'm not a T. I am an educator though.

Split image - your title to this is ironically poignant and allowed me sort of an "insiders derisive chuckle" if you know what i mean. in other words, it allowed me a small laugh, and to completely empathize with you in the same moment.
kiya

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
It just feels kind of weird to know that I'm being used as a case study in a psych talk. It doesn't really bother me

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">SplitImage, I'm glad you don't feel bothered by this. I wonder, if a client does not want their T to use them as an anonymous case study, can they tell the T not to do it, and the T has to acquiesce? If I felt uncomfortable, I think I would speak to my T about it, and either feel reassured by what he said or if I wasn't, ask him not to use me in that way anymore. I would hope he would agree if I asked him to do this.

My T did mention once using a phrase I had used to title a chapter in a book he might write. He said quickly after mentioning that, that of course he would get my permission first. I really appreciated that comment. I'm not sure if he will write the book soon (or ever) so it isn't pressing now.