Does Psychotherapy Make You Self-Indulgent

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   AdsenseStrategiesposted 14 years ago

   Does psychotherapy make you self-indulgent? Of course, there is no clear answer to this question, but I wonder if being encouraged to explore the innermost workings of your mind might not make a person more self-obsessed... and surely that cannot be good...

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      As with what I've learned from experience. Some people require help to deal with issues, because they cannot deal with themselves.
      
      They have to self-indulge, in order to make the leap to help, because at least they are trying to look for an answer, even tho that answer, still could elude, should they not get help.
      
      This is self-survival, in the truest form. Will they become self-obsessed? Not really, it would have to do with their understanding(wisdom). But, anything is possible, so on the other hand, someone could end up becoming self-obsessed. And, yes, that can't be good.
      
      And, Yeah I know- I didn't really answer the question, because it's a psychological question, which is completely subjective to those who don't always have all the facts, but are in search for the truth, regardless of what it is.

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      zona aposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am currently in therapy and have wondered myself if it does not make me a little too self absorbed and for me is at times quite painful as it brings many painful events from my childhood to the surface.
      What I have done that has been helpful is to also use this time to also explore my own spiituality and my place in this planet,
      to  use this self absorbtion to explore my faults and how I might fuction to fit in to the best interest of other people besides myself.

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      Maximus591posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No, it isn't good.
      
      Navel-gazing therapies don't work.
      
      The psycho-babble brigade have had 100 years to provide evidence that shows their techniques work. So far, they have produced nothing.
      
      Analytical psycho-therapy is a very poor treatment method. Furthermore, those who attribute success to the 'psychotherapy model' often undermine their own 'internal therapy model' that is frequently far more effective in bringing long lasting change to a clients life.
      
      I despise psychotherapists. They are noxious vermin and should be hunted down and executed as if they were rabid dogs.

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         Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         So, then you don't like them?

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   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   I think if someone does it "just for the heck of it" it may be self-indulgent, but there are people who are absolutely miserable with long-standing issues they have; and I don't think trying to work things out in therapy is at all self-indulgent.
   
   The other day I got a comment on a Hub by a woman who suffered a big loss at four years old, and she said how it has affected any number of things, as well as her own happiness, since.  It was so clear to me that she views life and the world through the eyes of someone who doesn't have a broader perspective or an understanding of how she's seeing things.  Someone like that could benefit from a professional's perspective and guidance.  Her life has been affected very seriously by this thing she's been carrying around.  Sometimes it isn't really about the inner-most workings of someone's mind.  It can be about the obvious workings of a mind that has only seen the world through troubled eyes.

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   tobey100posted 14 years ago

   Anyone who'd undergo phsychotherapy for the heck of it is crazy.

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   LaViejaposted 14 years ago

   My husband is in therapy and to a certain extent yes, it has made him more self absorbed. Having said that it has also given him insight which he didn't really have before, perspective which has helped him be more objective and a certain amount of self acceptance, all of which has made him a lot easier to live with! I don't know if it is the right thing for everyone, but for some its definately worth it.

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   relacheposted 14 years ago

   I have a friend who suffers from emotional problems due to a biological flaw which has resulted in her body making a brain chemical that humans otherwise aren't supposed to have.  I wish she was in psychotherapy, because her perceptions of herself and her life are very skewed and she's terribly unhappy, and it's not due to anything that she can control.
   
   But I also think that some otherwise healthy people go to therapy just to whine and make excuses for not wanting to accept responsibility or deal with their lives.

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      Maximus591posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Pray tell. What is this extra chemical she has been blessed with that she shouldn't have? The world needs to know.
      
      The argument that chemicals are the basis for neurotic misery is highly flawed.

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         Daniel Carterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Does schizophrenia, bipolar and other mental disorders rang a vague bell, Max? When the brain doesn't process nutrients and fats correctly, all kinds of havoc take place, including a lack of chemicals as well as too much, in addition to which, because the chemistry is off, can produce *other* chemicals which can prove to also be detrimental.
         
         As for psycho therapy, when it's legitimately needed, it can not only save lives, but provide a much better life. Obviously a lot of people don't need it. But for those who do, it's a way to have a descent life, providing that the counselor is effective for the patient. That, also, can be a delicate dance.

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            Maximus591posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            All kinds of havoc take place? Where? Oh, in the mind?
            
            Jeepers, it's clear you're having a havoc brain storm because you have no clue what causes mental illness.
            
            Or maybe you do and my misplaced ignorance in you is highly unjustified.
            
            I shall now settle myself down in my comfy chair, with my comfy slippers on,  and await your gloriously detailed, medical description of the causes of mental illness. Oh, and please use the correct terminology... because you wouldn't want me to think you're a bit of a doofus now would you?

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   WriteAngledposted 14 years ago

   I've no idea, Adsense, but I like your avatar. Is it really you? You look like Sean Connery

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   Lynne1110posted 14 years ago

   I don't think there is anything wrong with being self-indulgent at times. Now that being said I don't think that therapy makes someone self-indulgent. Being in therapy is about taking a look at yourself and what things can you handle better. What I fear is that I use my problems as an excuse for the mistakes that I have made. I need to know if it is the person I really am or because of the lack of or extra chemicals in my brain that have made me act the way I have all my life. That is a scary thing to have to think about.

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