Loaning a chick money 9/9/16 - Bye (2 Viewers)

[McGarnicle]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

Makes sense. I do think some people get sucked in before they know what hit them. The kid from the boring midwestern town who tries meth at a party for instance. I think some people are not educated about the risks and a certain chemical activates a switch in their brain and then they can't get enough. I have no doubt that the end result is always low self esteem in addition to myriad other issues.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

While I've really enjoyed the ride I fear you aren't getting the best advice. If you really want your relationship to work I think your going to have to make some changes. That means seeing a therapist and going to sexaholics anonymous.

I don't know anything about this organization but it seems to me it would be a great place to pick up horny women.

[sam malone]"Do you like Chinese food?"[/sam malone]

 

[DA RAIDERS]

All kinds of moron in here. Dancing bones is in your future

at least the real deal weighed in.and if you have any inclination to fix #### with your wife, you staying at angie's is one of the stupidest things you could do. but you haven't exhibited much common sense through this whole escapade, so i'm not really surprised.those 3 racks are gonna cost you 50%+ of your income for the next 14 years. ouch

 

[SwampDawg]

So did the counselor confirm you are a sex starved, Tiger Woods wannabe ?

 

[Hawks64]

Any update?

 

[Britney Spears]

I'm starting to think this is fishing. Not there yet, but starting to think so. The best part is having the guys fill out the w9.

Yeah, the W-9 part is puzzling.

LOLOL wow.

 

[Britney Spears]

BTW, my wife and I have been in a totally messed up space with each other since mid-december. We've began couples therapy, yada yada, but we're not on real good terms yet.We've still done it 3 times in 2013. If your number is lower than that... thats not good. 3 times in 2013 is like the bar for a barely functioning held together with duct tape marriage imo.

I have exactly 3 orange DOTs

Who is in your profile picture?

 

[Idiot Boxer]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

 

[johnnycakes]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

No, i wasn't confusing anything.

 

[T Bell]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

Obviously some people develop a physical dependence upon alcohol/drugs such that it becomes its own core problem, and that can even happen "out of the blue" but I think that's pretty rare. More likely people turn to those things as escapes from other problems, such as mood disorders, physical injuries, bad relationships, etc., and then they snowball. Low self esteem doesn't just happen. It's a product of other things as well.

 

[johnnycakes]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality.

But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

Obviously some people develop a physical dependence upon alcohol/drugs such that it becomes its own core problem, and that can even happen "out of the blue" but I think that's pretty rare. More likely people turn to those things as escapes from other problems, such as mood disorders, physical injuries, bad relationships, etc., and then they snowball.

Low self esteem doesn't just happen. It's a product of other things as well.

The vast, vast majority of addicts and alcoholics I have met - and I have met many - describe a feeling of "less than" and feeling inferior long before they ever picked up their first drink or drugs. It's not unusual to hear them describe themselves as "an instant alcoholic" as soon as alcohol was added. I know I was... I never took a social drink in my life... my first time drinking was a bender, and I was off and running from there on. so my opinion is based on first-hand personal experience... lots of it... and validated by hundreds if not thousands of similar first-hand stories I have heard from others.

Where do you base your opinion on?

 

[McGarnicle]

Why do I huff paint thinner? I have great self esteem.

 

[Arizona Ron]

The Psychiatrist

While making my appointment, they asked a lot of questions to try to gear my visit towards a specialist. I told them I just wanted to speak to someone with general knowledge and go from there. I was emailed a packet to complete and send back prior to my first appointment.

I show up for my noon appointment and the receptionist lets me know that I will be visiting with Janice Wright. I was shown to a “discussion room” where there were soft chairs and a coffee table with random magazines. The room was interesting because the office is in a pretty large office building but the room setup made me feel like I just walked in someone’s living room.

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:

Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).

Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).

Jan: First off, how are you?

Me: Uh, good?

Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?

Me: I’m not on any medications.

Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.

Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.

Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.

Me: For what?

Jan: To control your impulses.

Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?

Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.

The conversation was utilitarian after that; I was just being processed. She gave me a few samples of an antidepressant, told me to have a great day and said to pick up a prescription paper at the front desk when I schedule my next appointment with Dr. Patterson. I thanked her and left walking right past the front desk and threw the samples in the trash on the way out - #### this. I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.

The Racks

Angie has really cooled out. I don’t see her as often but she repaid me the last $1000 she owned me at intervals of $100-$200 over the last week or so. We still talk regularly though.

 

[shadyridr]

FInd another shrink

 

[Slapdash]

The Psychiatrist

While making my appointment, they asked a lot of questions to try to gear my visit towards a specialist. I told them I just wanted to speak to someone with general knowledge and go from there. I was emailed a packet to complete and send back prior to my first appointment.

I show up for my noon appointment and the receptionist lets me know that I will be visiting with Janice Wright. I was shown to a “discussion room” where there were soft chairs and a coffee table with random magazines. The room was interesting because the office is in a pretty large office building but the room setup made me feel like I just walked in someone’s living room.

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:

Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).

Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).

Jan: First off, how are you?

Me: Uh, good?

Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?

Me: I’m not on any medications.

Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.

Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.

Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.

Me: For what?

Jan: To control your impulses.

Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?

Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.

The conversation was utilitarian after that; I was just being processed. She gave me a few samples of an antidepressant, told me to have a great day and said to pick up a prescription paper at the front desk when I schedule my next appointment with Dr. Patterson. I thanked her and left walking right past the front desk and threw the samples in the trash on the way out - #### this. I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.

The Racks

Angie has really cooled out. I don’t see her as often but she repaid me the last $1000 she owned me at intervals of $100-$200 over the last week or so. We still talk regularly though.

In America, more medication is the answer to every question.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?Me: I’m not on any medications.Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.Me: For what?Jan: To control your impulses.Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.

Drugs first then we can talk. Can you say kickbacks?

 

[walnutz]

The PsychiatristWhile making my appointment, they asked a lot of questions to try to gear my visit towards a specialist. I told them I just wanted to speak to someone with general knowledge and go from there. I was emailed a packet to complete and send back prior to my first appointment.I show up for my noon appointment and the receptionist lets me know that I will be visiting with Janice Wright. I was shown to a “discussion room” where there were soft chairs and a coffee table with random magazines. The room was interesting because the office is in a pretty large office building but the room setup made me feel like I just walked in someone’s living room.The doctor walks in about 10mins later:Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).Jan: First off, how are you?Me: Uh, good?Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?Me: I’m not on any medications.Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.Me: For what?Jan: To control your impulses.Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.The conversation was utilitarian after that; I was just being processed. She gave me a few samples of an antidepressant, told me to have a great day and said to pick up a prescription paper at the front desk when I schedule my next appointment with Dr. Patterson. I thanked her and left walking right past the front desk and threw the samples in the trash on the way out - #### this. I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.The RacksAngie has really cooled out. I don’t see her as often but she repaid me the last $1000 she owned me at intervals of $100-$200 over the last week or so. We still talk regularly though.

Good luck Ron. Have things on the home front cooled off lately. Is the wife still having the same thought process?

 

[rodg12]

FInd another shrink

That's some BS.

 

[Arizona Ron]

FInd another shrink

What are they really going to do? Tell me what I already know and give me medication that I'll spend the next few years trying to get off of.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.

Yeah, why go on medication when you can self-medicate?

 

[Arizona Ron]

Good luck Ron. Have things on the home front cooled off lately. Is the wife still having the same thought process?

The wife has been pretty cool. She goes out every now and then but it's not all night and we've decided to keep our friends separate.

 

[walnutz]

Good luck Ron. Have things on the home front cooled off lately. Is the wife still having the same thought process?

The wife has been pretty cool. She goes out every now and then but it's not all night and we've decided to keep our friends separate.

Guess that sounds like some progress. I have missed some updates but are you living back at the house now? I read where you were skyping with the daughter before bedtime and man that just felt bad all the way around.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?Me: I’m not on any medications.Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.Me: For what?Jan: To control your impulses.Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.

Drugs first then we can talk. Can you say kickbacks?

Yeah WTF? I filled out a pretty long form and gave very detailed answers but that's enough to prescribe meds?

 

[shadyridr]

FInd another shrink

What are they really going to do? Tell me what I already know and give me medication that I'll spend the next few years trying to get off of.

The talking part is probably important. I doubt you need medication. Goto a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist

 

[Arizona Ron]

Good luck Ron. Have things on the home front cooled off lately. Is the wife still having the same thought process?

The wife has been pretty cool. She goes out every now and then but it's not all night and we've decided to keep our friends separate.

Guess that sounds like some progress. I have missed some updates but are you living back at the house now? I read where you were skyping with the daughter before bedtime and man that just felt bad all the way around.

Yeah I've been back at home.

 

[Arizona Ron]

FInd another shrink

What are they really going to do? Tell me what I already know and give me medication that I'll spend the next few years trying to get off of.

The talking part is probably important. I doubt you need medication. Goto a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist

A girl I work with told me this after I told her what happen. I honestly didn't know there was a real difference.

 

[Hang 10]

FInd another shrink

You get the script filled. OVER AND OVER. You know the street value of that ####??

 

[Henry Ford]

FInd another shrink

What are they really going to do? Tell me what I already know and give me medication that I'll spend the next few years trying to get off of.

The talking part is probably important. I doubt you need medication. Goto a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist

A girl I work with told me this after I told her what happen. I honestly didn't know there was a real difference.

Huge difference. Psychiatrists can write prescriptions. Psychologists can't. Psychiatrists will really just give you pills, like going to your regular doctor. A psychologist or other counselor will talk to you and do actual therapy.

 

[SeaDogStat]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

Obviously some people develop a physical dependence upon alcohol/drugs such that it becomes its own core problem, and that can even happen "out of the blue" but I think that's pretty rare. More likely people turn to those things as escapes from other problems, such as mood disorders, physical injuries, bad relationships, etc., and then they snowball. Low self esteem doesn't just happen. It's a product of other things as well.

Always loved the Katt Williams quote about self esteem...

" 'You messed up my self esteem...' ##### it's called SELF ESTEEM! It's the esteem of ya Mutha ####in Self... How did I #### up how YOU feel about YOU?"

 

[Slapdash]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality. But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

Obviously some people develop a physical dependence upon alcohol/drugs such that it becomes its own core problem, and that can even happen "out of the blue" but I think that's pretty rare. More likely people turn to those things as escapes from other problems, such as mood disorders, physical injuries, bad relationships, etc., and then they snowball. Low self esteem doesn't just happen. It's a product of other things as well.

Always loved the Katt Williams quote about self esteem...

" 'You messed up my self esteem...' ##### it's called SELF ESTEEM! It's the esteem of ya Mutha ####in Self... How did I #### up how YOU feel about YOU?"

Katt Williams is an idiot.

 

[SeaDogStat]

FInd another shrink

Loan her three racks...

 

[strykerpks]

Good luck Ron. Have things on the home front cooled off lately. Is the wife still having the same thought process?

The wife has been pretty cool. She goes out every now and then but it's not all night and we've decided to keep our friends separate.

What does this mean? You have your friends/she has her friends and you don't intermingle? Friends are now off limits with for sex?

 

[johnnycakes]

Ron, some - in fact, MOST - psychiatrists ONLY write prescriptions or manage medications. If you can find a shrink who does both the "talk therapy" AND medication management, that would be ideal. They should have asked you whether you had a therapist or counselor or psychologist or something along those lines. Conventional wisdom is that you do the talk therapy first and if that person thinks meds are warranted, they can give you the names of some shrinks who can handle that end. The guy I see right now is a psychiatrist who does both the talk therapy and the medication management. He's an old Jewish guy who's not very touchy-feely, but he is very analytical and insightful and I like the guy quite a bit.

Again, you aren't going to think your way to a better life, so I wouldn't bother trying to understand what they could possibly do. it's more important that you find someone who is competent and with whom you are comfortable and then just do the footwork. The answers to the whys will become apparent as time goes on.

 

[Gr00vus]

FInd another shrink

What are they really going to do? Tell me what I already know and give me medication that I'll spend the next few years trying to get off of.

The talking part is probably important. I doubt you need medication. Goto a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist

A girl I work with told me this after I told her what happen. I honestly didn't know there was a real difference.

Huge difference. Psychiatrists can write prescriptions. Psychologists can't. Psychiatrists will really just give you pills, like going to your regular doctor. A psychologist or other counselor will talk to you and do actual therapy.

Exactly. You want the psychologist 1st. After some period of therapy they'll be able to figure out if meds would actually help you or not, then they'll refer you to a psychiatrist if so. Start over and look for a good psychologist, that's what you need right now.

 

[ntz08]

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).Jan: First off, how are you?Me: Uh, good?

Jan Yandek

 

[mr roboto]

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).Jan: First off, how are you?Me: Uh, good?

Jan Yandek

 

[(HULK)]

The PsychiatristWhile making my appointment, they asked a lot of questions to try to gear my visit towards a specialist. I told them I just wanted to speak to someone with general knowledge and go from there. I was emailed a packet to complete and send back prior to my first appointment.I show up for my noon appointment and the receptionist lets me know that I will be visiting with Janice Wright. I was shown to a “discussion room” where there were soft chairs and a coffee table with random magazines. The room was interesting because the office is in a pretty large office building but the room setup made me feel like I just walked in someone’s living room.The doctor walks in about 10mins later:Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).Jan: First off, how are you?Me: Uh, good?Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?Me: I’m not on any medications.Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.Me: For what?Jan: To control your impulses.Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.The conversation was utilitarian after that; I was just being processed. She gave me a few samples of an antidepressant, told me to have a great day and said to pick up a prescription paper at the front desk when I schedule my next appointment with Dr. Patterson. I thanked her and left walking right past the front desk and threw the samples in the trash on the way out - #### this. I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.The RacksAngie has really cooled out. I don’t see her as often but she repaid me the last $1000 she owned me at intervals of $100-$200 over the last week or so. We still talk regularly though.

Unreal that they just wanted to medicate you from the get.Go somewhere else, not all head shrinkers are pill pushers.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Did you get the Receptionist's phone number?

 

[Arizona Ron]

Ron, some - in fact, MOST - psychiatrists ONLY write prescriptions or manage medications. If you can find a shrink who does both the "talk therapy" AND medication management, that would be ideal. They should have asked you whether you had a therapist or counselor or psychologist or something along those lines. Conventional wisdom is that you do the talk therapy first and if that person thinks meds are warranted, they can give you the names of some shrinks who can handle that end. The guy I see right now is a psychiatrist who does both the talk therapy and the medication management. He's an old Jewish guy who's not very touchy-feely, but he is very analytical and insightful and I like the guy quite a bit. Again, you aren't going to think your way to a better life, so I wouldn't bother trying to understand what they could possibly do. it's more important that you find someone who is competent and with whom you are comfortable and then just do the footwork. The answers to the whys will become apparent as time goes on.

Thanks GB but I think it's just not for me. Things are a little crazy but it's not falling apart.

 

[shadyridr]

Ron, some - in fact, MOST - psychiatrists ONLY write prescriptions or manage medications. If you can find a shrink who does both the "talk therapy" AND medication management, that would be ideal. They should have asked you whether you had a therapist or counselor or psychologist or something along those lines. Conventional wisdom is that you do the talk therapy first and if that person thinks meds are warranted, they can give you the names of some shrinks who can handle that end. The guy I see right now is a psychiatrist who does both the talk therapy and the medication management. He's an old Jewish guy who's not very touchy-feely, but he is very analytical and insightful and I like the guy quite a bit. Again, you aren't going to think your way to a better life, so I wouldn't bother trying to understand what they could possibly do. it's more important that you find someone who is competent and with whom you are comfortable and then just do the footwork. The answers to the whys will become apparent as time goes on.

Thanks GB but I think it's just not for me. Things are a little crazy but it's not falling apart.

how about marriage counseling?

 

[Kal El]

That psychiatrist shouldn't instantly be prescribing medications like that. But I'll keep the echo going and tell you to find someone else.

 

[Clifford]

F to the No.

Yep

 

[Ray Karpis]

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).Jan: First off, how are you?Me: Uh, good?

Jan Yandek

I appreciated the subtle nod to the Yandekster.Well done, Ron.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

F to the No.

People still talk like this?

 

[Socrates11]

F to the No.

People still talk like this?

Hells to the yes

 

[mr roboto]

F to the No.

People still talk like this?

Hells to the yes

Totes for realz.

 

[McGarnicle]

Jeez, I knew those meds were overprescribed but that is just nuts. If that's not malpractice, someone needs to review the process.

 

[trogg78]

It's the effort that is important. Even if your just going through the motions. I read a lot of Dear Abby, so I know this is what she would tell you to do.

 

[T Bell]

You're saying the root of all substance addictions is low self-esteem?

It's a big, big part of it. I have never met an addict or alcoholic who didn't have very low self-esteem. Not once. And I have met hundreds, if not thousands. It seems to be a pervasive theme among all addicts and alcoholics. that said, I never use "global" terminology and I would never say that the root of ALL substance addictions is ALWAYS low self esteem. There are always exceptions. And anyone who has taken a freshman-level course in stats knows that correlation does not equal causality.

But from what I have seen, low self esteem goes hand-in-hand with addictive behaviors, especially when talking about drugs, alcohol, and sex. Probably other addictive behaviors as well (eating disorders, compulsive spending, for example), but I'm not going to go into those, though the people I know who have had eating disorders or who were compulsive spenders also had really low self-esteem. Karen Carpenter is one public example (eating disorder) and my ex-wife is another (compulsive spender which, when the funds got cut off during the divorce process, turned into a sex disorder resulting in her getting the herp).

You may be confusing causation with correlation. It is just as likely that the addiction is the cause of the low-self esteem.

Obviously some people develop a physical dependence upon alcohol/drugs such that it becomes its own core problem, and that can even happen "out of the blue" but I think that's pretty rare. More likely people turn to those things as escapes from other problems, such as mood disorders, physical injuries, bad relationships, etc., and then they snowball.

Low self esteem doesn't just happen. It's a product of other things as well.

The vast, vast majority of addicts and alcoholics I have met - and I have met many - describe a feeling of "less than" and feeling inferior long before they ever picked up their first drink or drugs. It's not unusual to hear them describe themselves as "an instant alcoholic" as soon as alcohol was added. I know I was... I never took a social drink in my life... my first time drinking was a bender, and I was off and running from there on. so my opinion is based on first-hand personal experience... lots of it... and validated by hundreds if not thousands of similar first-hand stories I have heard from others.

Where do you base your opinion on?

I have alcoholism in my family and know I have a propensity for it though thankfully I'm not one myself. I also have experienced other problems which are known to go hand-in-hand with alcohol abuse and other destructive behaviors. All of this has caused me to read extensively on this and self-evaluate. I'm not just a know-it-all behind a keyboard on this. Also, what you said isn't necessarily inconsistent with what I said. Low self esteem doesn't just happen, but I agree that it's a precursor symptom for substance abuse or other types of addictive behavior. It may come from depression directly, or it may come from the offshoots of depression or some other mood disorder such as a job loss or relationship problems. You may or may not agree with that but that clarification was needed.

 

[T Bell]

The Psychiatrist

While making my appointment, they asked a lot of questions to try to gear my visit towards a specialist. I told them I just wanted to speak to someone with general knowledge and go from there. I was emailed a packet to complete and send back prior to my first appointment.

I show up for my noon appointment and the receptionist lets me know that I will be visiting with Janice Wright. I was shown to a “discussion room” where there were soft chairs and a coffee table with random magazines. The room was interesting because the office is in a pretty large office building but the room setup made me feel like I just walked in someone’s living room.

The doctor walks in about 10mins later:

Jan: Hello, I’m Jan Write, welcome (forced smile).

Me: Hello doctor, nice to meet you (forced smile returned).

Jan: First off, how are you?

Me: Uh, good?

Jan: Do we need to discuss managing your medications?

Me: I’m not on any medications.

Jan: Yes but based on your paperwork, I have a few options for you.

Me: I don’t want any medications. I thought we were going to talk.

Jan: Yes, you will be meeting with Dr. Patterson to talk more but you really should consider medications first.

Me: For what?

Jan: To control your impulses.

Me: You diagnosed me based on paperwork?

Jan: You’ll meet with Dr. Patterson on your next visit who will go into more details about managing your behaviors but we wanted to get you started on the medications right away.

The conversation was utilitarian after that; I was just being processed. She gave me a few samples of an antidepressant, told me to have a great day and said to pick up a prescription paper at the front desk when I schedule my next appointment with Dr. Patterson. I thanked her and left walking right past the front desk and threw the samples in the trash on the way out - #### this. I was pretty pissed when I left so I stopped at a bar, had a drink and headed back to my office.

The Racks

Angie has really cooled out. I don’t see her as often but she repaid me the last $1000 she owned me at intervals of $100-$200 over the last week or so. We still talk regularly though.

Welcome to psychiatry. Psychiatrists are MD's who push pills. Only a relative few of them also/instead do cognitive psychotherapy, the stuff you were envisioning. Even so, the psych you saw sounds lousy. Go find a good psychologist, a Ph.D if possible, and do your thing with them.