This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice-shame and fear of stigma-compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to pursue treatment, underscoring our responsibility as professionals to act.
This article describes the author's experience in psychotherapy, beginning as a suicidal teenager... more This article describes the author's experience in psychotherapy, beginning as a suicidal teenager with a dismal prognosis, through 5 years of hospitalization, including shock treatment that erased most memory before age 20, through an Ivy League education, and successful professional career. Retraumatization triggered by reading her hospital records 40 years later adds a unique perspective, as the author watched, but could not control, a process within herself that she regularly addressed as therapist with her own patients. Healing aspects of relationships with three psychodynamic psychotherapists (two psychiatrists and a social worker), credited with her survival and success, are examined. A dramatic interview with Harold Searles, her psychiatrist's supervisor, and its role in her recovery is considered. Lasting lessons concerning the healing aspects of psychotherapy, the effects of repressed early trauma encountered late in life, the need to counter stigma, and the value of personal psychotherapy are discussed.
This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice – shame and fear of stigma – compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to p...
This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice-shame and fear of stigma-compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to pursue treatment, underscoring our responsibility as professionals to act.
This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice-shame and fear of stigma-compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to pursue treatment, underscoring our responsibility as professionals to act.
This article describes the author's experience in psychotherapy, beginning as a suicidal teenager... more This article describes the author's experience in psychotherapy, beginning as a suicidal teenager with a dismal prognosis, through 5 years of hospitalization, including shock treatment that erased most memory before age 20, through an Ivy League education, and successful professional career. Retraumatization triggered by reading her hospital records 40 years later adds a unique perspective, as the author watched, but could not control, a process within herself that she regularly addressed as therapist with her own patients. Healing aspects of relationships with three psychodynamic psychotherapists (two psychiatrists and a social worker), credited with her survival and success, are examined. A dramatic interview with Harold Searles, her psychiatrist's supervisor, and its role in her recovery is considered. Lasting lessons concerning the healing aspects of psychotherapy, the effects of repressed early trauma encountered late in life, the need to counter stigma, and the value of personal psychotherapy are discussed.
This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice – shame and fear of stigma – compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to p...
This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association... more This article explores compromising effects of stigma regarding mental illness and, by association, psychotherapy. Using examples from her years as a young psychiatry patient decades earlier, the author describes her own attitude, which reflected that stigma. This self-prejudice-shame and fear of stigma-compelled her to hide her hospital history and ongoing psychotherapy for most of her life. Many respected mental health professionals confide similar fears and avoid disclosure to protect themselves and their reputations. The author posits that medical professionals' high status in our society offers each of us an opportunity to modify that stigma, if we dare to acknowledge personal psychological struggles and involvement in psychotherapy. Framing the essay, a recent exchange from the author's psychotherapy practice illustrates both the potential of disclosure to encourage participation, and the powerful stigma that ultimately overwhelmed her patient's willingness to pursue treatment, underscoring our responsibility as professionals to act.
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