My New Movie Proposal, “Bad Therapists” (1987 and 2005)

Have you heard of the movie Bad Moms?  The moms weren’t really that bad though.  How about the movie Bad Teacher?  Now she was bad but there was a happy ending, and she found the job that suited her personality and complimented her skill set.  Well, my dear readers, I am going to propose another movie, “Bad Therapist”, however this one is not a comedy, it is a tragedy/ drama.  It is about a woman who has to overcome some very bad doctors/therapist/mental health experts.  This would be based on my life.  I wonder if you could add a few of your experiences.  I hope not, I sincerely hope you have had nurturing, kind mental health experts that have not damaged your self esteem.

During university in 1987, the uni doctor recommended me to a psychiatrist. You would think that he would be well versed in mental health?  Ummmm Nooooo!!!!!  He was so cruel.  He told me that I could only become a secretary because of my mental health.  This is a joke because being a secretary is very, very stressful!   He went on to diagnose me with bipolar and put me on Lithium.  This did absolutely nothing because it is the wrong diagnosis.  It is like having bi-polar and being treated for anxiety.  The correct diagnosis does matter.  When I told my current Therapist about this doctor, she was horrified.

CMHA stands for Canada Mental Health Association.  What a joke that is.  What a waste of time. She was recommended by a nurse that was holding a weekly group session for mothers who were having post partum blues that I attended back in 2005.  She was very kind.  I think she thought she was doing the right thing.  During the weekly sessions, we often shared our difficulties with the group.  I wish the nurse would have listened to me and would not judge.   I was telling a story about difficulties with my mother-in-law, and I wanted someone to listen to me and maybe offer some kind words of encouragement.   The nurse kept explaining to me my mother-in-law side.  I stopped participating in group discussions and soon after, I stopped going to this weekly group sessions.

I did decide to take the nurse’s advice and contacted CMHA.  The intake worker on the phone was lovely however, the mental health worker was so cruel in our one-to-one meeting and then tells me that there is no help anyways. She wanted me to go to my family doctor and get medication.   She yelled at me in a way you would scold a toddler, “I need to know that you are an adult and can take care of yourself and go see the doctor for medication.”  I felt humiliated.  She carried on, “Do you have any benefits or EAP (Employe Assistance Program), we do not have any counselling here and the psychiatrist is not taking any more patients!”  I cried and cried for days afterwards.  She sent me into despair.  I did see my family doctor who was very compassionate.

I have seen many wonderful therapist and doctors since.  My advice, if a professional is not treating you right, leave and find another one.  You deserve the best!