Posted by OldSchool on January 27, 2002, at 20:02:59
In reply to Re: Therapist wants Suicide Agreement (not to) » Shar, posted by Krazy Kat on January 27, 2002, at 19:21:03
> I find this request to be very odd - perhaps it protects your therapist from law suits? (I don't mean that in a bad way, just practical).
Practical is what drives many mental health professionals. Many of them are more concerned about their own liability issues than their patients. In other words if their is the least chance you will committ suicide...they like to have their ass covered in as many ways as possible. Ive seen this occur in different kinds of ways in my own experiences.
Just like I tell people that its a myth you can tell your mental health professional "anything." You cant do that...if you told them everything and anything well all I can say is they have a tendency to overreact bigtime. There are certain things you just cant tell a mental health professional. Again the legal/liability issues kick in. The ideal of "total trust" between patient and therapist is a big myth.
Legal/liability issues also tends to lead to overmedication, such as being put on anti-psychotics when you dont need them. I could go on and on and on about this. The bottom line is that legalities and liability issues are a bigger deal in psychiatry and therapy than whether or not you get better or not.
Most therapists and most psychiatrists will write you off in a heartbeat in order to cover their ass legally.
BTW, what I say might sound really hard and cold, but its the truth in the real world. Real world equals CYA...Cover Your Ass.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:17208
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020125/msgs/17326.html