Therapy?

[Berkeley]

So in about 3 minutes I was able to come up with like 9 reasons of why I should consider therapy. If I sat here longer, I would undoubtedly be able to come up with many more reasons.

The reasons I came up with are:
I can't keep a job for more than a couple of months because I get bored so easily with it and I start to feel like it is sucking away my soul.

I am an INTP. That means I probably suffer from depression.

I cannot stop procrastinating ever.

I have a complete lack of motivation to do just about anything.
I just don't see the point in most things.
But as an INTP, I am good at most things.

I don't think this is a reason for therapy, but others might: INTP's are almost exclusively agnostic, atheist, or nihilistic.

I can't finish projects

I have a small degree of OCD

And I completely do not understand the minds of other people (I think they are all idiots)

Everyone else just DOES NOT understand how my mind works.



The problem is, what if I don't trust the psychologist (and I have a feeling I wont')?

Or what if he is just another moron?

Or what if i get there and i realize its a bad idea and I don't want to talk anymore?

What if he just can't shed any light on anything? I kind of expect him to be able to tell me universal truths that will answer my questions, but that won't happen.



What do the rest of you think?

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

Random reactions:

You might end up with a moron. You'll have to audition to find the right one.

If you're not willing to open up, you are wasting your time and money.

Don't expect understanding and compassion on the job issue. He/She will probably tell you to suck it in and grow up. Probably using such crap techniques about responsibility and stuff. (We here understand though )

Withhold complete trust until he earns it but you can't hold back either....tough balance.

No one understands how anyone's mind works. At least not completely.

 

[Cogwulf]

First of all, you're very much like me

Secondly, therapy is unlikely to do you any good, you can't treat a personality like an illness.

 

[bananaphallus]

I'm seeing a psychologist, and your post would describe me pretty well/bang on. Find someone you can be honest with, intelligence is crucial - someone able to maintain a conversation rather than ask thoughtless, 'A then B' questions - and someone who can make you laugh. I don't know if my 'condition' has improved, but I'd attribute this to my being obdurate more than any fault of his. Although, it has helped my confidence in social situations somewhat, speaking with my counselor and exchanging ideas and whatnot, but more than anything just being honest with another human being. It can help, don't expect who you are fundamentally as a person to change, but it could potentially lead to you enjoying life a bit more.

 

[Da Blob]

Well I am a counselor and from my POV the fact that you are voluntarily seeking help to solve your problems is a big factor in your success in the effort. Most clients only go to therapy when they are forced to go because of external motivation. However, many therapists can not truly offer any significant therapy. They just got a degree in Psychology because they were unable to get into med school or something. Their 'therapy' is just formula driven material, structured interviews, consultation with the DSM V-IV etc. This is stuff you can read out the textbooks all by your self... Such therapies were not designed to deal with the problems of the INT_s in any event.

Your best bet is to seek out a therapist who is also an INTP. All therapists can do though is to first point out the flaws and mistakes that you have chosen to ignore or not address, things that you are most likely aware of. There are different methods of doing so. However, the primary method of delivering therapy is just to get the client to do something new, perhaps a matter that has been the subject of procrastination. It is a sign of a mental disorder, if a person thinks he or she can just float along in a 'daily' routine and somehow his or her life is going to change for the better. It takes new stimuli to form new and hopefully 'better' more rewarding behaviors...

Just start doing new, positive things in your life and you may reap new and positive outcomes...

EDIT: actually the primary means of therapy is via 'medication', however, unless there is an organic basis for one's difficulties such a route can be counterproductive...

 

[UppyDownyMouth]

What if he just can't shed any light on anything? I kind of expect him to be able to tell me universal truths that will answer my questions, but that won't happen.

What do you want answered?

 

[Berkeley]

What do you want answered?

I dunno. Everything. What happens when you die? What is the point in living a life that is just going to end anyway.

I feel like life is just a prolonged torture. And isn't it considered merciful to put things in a tortured state out of misery? Well if someone is truly living in misery, why is suicide not justifiable?

Why should I care what my family or anyone else thinks of me?

Why was I born into a government system that I did not ever agree to obey, yet it expect me to (and how is it possible to even expect that from someone)?

Why do I have all the ability and none of the drive? Am I destined to live a life of mediocrity because I never push myself to excel?

And isn't it wierd how I realize that I just need to push myself, and yet still will not do it?

Too many questions I want answered.

 

[Tunesimah]

Therapy seems to be just someone you hire to listen to your problems, that is knowledgeable of such things... and can give you assistance. Family and friends don't seem to have quite the right perspective on such matters.

It is frustrating when no one really quite understands what is going on in your head, and yet is fully wiling to give all sorts of advice, criticism and comments.

The brain and life in general is immensely more complicated than many are prepared to deal with, and can only give canned solutions.

If you got the bucks, I'd say try therapy out. But I wouldn't get your hopes up about what you'll get out of it.

Therapy is good and satisfying, until you realize you're giving them money. An intellectual bartender would be better... if you can find one.

 

[Ombat]

From your OP, I think you could benefit from therapy. Although not every one of those problems could be "treated", some of them could, namely:

Depression
Why you have a lack of motivation / can't keep a job
OCD
How to relate to others better (maybe)

Only going to a therapist / psychologist / whatever will actually tell you if it will work.
Personally, I love therapy, and will probably always say it's a good idea. It's a good way to talk about what you're really thinking without someone looking at you like you're crazy.

I went to a psychologist when I was 10/11 years old for an anxiety disorder issue. I've recently felt like it's coming back and manifesting itself into social anxiety. I told my doctor and she's willing to write me a prescription of sorts for therapy but my mom forgot about it and I don't want to bug her by reminding her (probably because of some issue I have that would be benefitted by going to therapy!)

So, if you have the money, at least go and interview some. Don't expect to find a good one the first time. You have to find a therapist that you like, or else it will just be pointless.

 

[Kidege]

Don't do anything without reading Snowqueen's thread on therapy.

It's a guide about what sort of therapist to avoid. Keep in mind you could end worse off.

(sry for not linking, kinda busy atm)

 

[Ritsuka]

I went to therapy a few years back (not by choice, mind you) and had two candidates. The first one was more concerned about writing me a perscription for depression, even though I had only seen her for about 45 minutes and hadnt said much since I wasnt too fond of opening up to a complete stranger, and the second one immediatly started drawing conclusions about my personal life. I sort of regret that I hadnt tried to stick with the program, because I could really use a therapist/psychiatrist at this point, but I had been forced and thats never a good thing.
All I can say is, might as well give it a shot if you think it'll help you and youre willing to find someone good.

 

[Berkeley]

As for the monetary issue, my mom once said that we are double covered and it would be free...

 

[Ermine]

So in about 3 minutes I was able to come up with like 9 reasons of why I should consider therapy. If I sat here longer, I would undoubtedly be able to come up with many more reasons.

The reasons I came up with are:
I can't keep a job for more than a couple of months because I get bored so easily with it and I start to feel like it is sucking away my soul.

I am an INTP. That means I probably suffer from depression.

I cannot stop procrastinating ever.

I have a complete lack of motivation to do just about anything.
I just don't see the point in most things.
But as an INTP, I am good at most things.

I don't think this is a reason for therapy, but others might: INTP's are almost exclusively agnostic, atheist, or nihilistic.

I can't finish projects

I have a small degree of OCD

And I completely do not understand the minds of other people (I think they are all idiots)

Everyone else just DOES NOT understand how my mind works.

I don't have any advice or experience when it comes to therapy, but perhaps it would be beneficial to say that I've experienced all of those (except for the agnostic/atheist/nihilist thing) both all at once and in different combinations. I can especially relate with the job thing. Perhaps I'm just unlucky and stuck with entry level stuff, but it truly was sucking away at my soul. At times I've considered therapy, but after I pulled through the worst moments, I've thought better of it. I've ended up doing self therapy via journal writing, art, music (listening and playing) and creative writing. I don't know if it's the best route possible, but it hasn't cost me that much money (in comparison to therapy) and I don't have to go through the trouble of finding the right therapist.

Also, I'm sure I'm not the only one that can claim the INTP forum as an informal source of group therapy. It actually has been helpful simply to discuss and associate with a bunch of other INTPs and occasionally tell them my problems and idiosyncracies.