Posted by violette on June 18, 2010, at 20:40:38 [reposted on June 20, 2010, at 2:48:17 | original URL]
In reply to OT: Can you become a MH professional if you've had a DX?, posted by zonked on June 18, 2010, at 9:30:21
Zonked,
I never researched the issue but have read time and time again many who go into the mental health industry were influenced by their own mental heatlh issues.
My Pdoc told me that psychiatrists have more mental health issues than the general population. He said many Pdocs are f-up...We had some conversations of PDocs who practice in my area, doctors who he and I both knew, and it was interesting that we had similar opinions about their issues.
He had also disclosed to me the medications that he has prescribed to himself. I don't know if the prevalence of practioners with mental disorders is statistically true or not, but my Pdoc has been around the block, so to speak. I do think the stigma associated with mental illness permeates the profession like many others, so maybe most are discreet about it?
Here'a a resource you may want to use to inquire further:
At the top left of the page, there is a link to a forum where you can ask a question or read others' comments about the topic.
I consider a psychiatrist with personal mental health issues to be an asset; however, it can cause major problems when someone with notable unresolved issues conducts psychotherapy. From past experience, I now only trust therapists who have had psychoanalytic training or have had extensive psychotheapy themselves (psychoanalysts are normally required to be in their own therapy for years before obtaining the certification). I don't expect my opinion to be popular, but again, just my observations....Practicing psychotherapy is much different from practicing medicine, imo. Most psychiatrists do not practice therapy anyway...
But for a mainstream psychiatrist or a MD--I think its great--an asset--if the doctor has personal experience with medications and mental illness....You should go for it.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
poster:violette
thread:951547
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20100528/msgs/951551.html