Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Hello, I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with the emotional stuff very often. I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 That person was clearly an uninformed condescending idiot! Lots of people even mental health professionals can have large gaps in their knowledge - and if that's exposed in a presentation they may just try to cover up. This one idiot's denial of personal disorder doesn't negate anything you've gone through. > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Beatrice: Personally, I would love to have a normal relationship with my nada. Yeah, that's right, we're just having a simple " difference of opinion. " The only problem is I know in my heart and in every fiber of my being that is a fantasy. So. you have to go with what you know is true, from your own experience. And I think you will have more than enough support here on this list that this so called expert is full of crap, and blowing smoke...and maybe you need to give us his/her e-mail or phone number so we can set him straight. Okay, maybe not...but you get my drift, right? : ) ________________________________ To: WTOAdultChildren1 Sent: Sat, June 4, 2011 3:34:54 PM Subject: Re: Bothered by comment That person was clearly an uninformed condescending idiot! Lots of people even mental health professionals can have large gaps in their knowledge - and if that's exposed in a presentation they may just try to cover up. This one idiot's denial of personal disorder doesn't negate anything you've gone through. > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I would LOVE to hear him say that in front of a room full of psychologists and psychiatrists. What an uninformed idiot. Try not to let it get to you. PS I suppose a sociopath who goes on a killing spree and murders a dozen people is just " different? " Hmmm.... > was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Oh, Lord. I have two, and only two, words in response to that: WANNA BET? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Hi Beatrice, It would bother me too if a class I'd paid to attend arranged for a speaker who was not trained or qualified to be introduced to my classmates and I as " psychological care provider. " The truth is that the term " therapist " or " counselor " can cover a very wide range of training and qualification from years of college, an M.D and/or a Ph.D.degree plus years of post-graduate training, to no training at all. Here is a link to the definitions and descriptions of the various types of training that qualifies an individual to provide psychotherapy. http://psychology.about.com/od/psychotherapy/f/therapistcert.htm Anyone, even a KO like me, can look up the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (IV-TR) developed by the American Psychiatric Association, and read that the personality disorders are classified as Axis II mental disorders, and are broken down into three major Groups or Clusters. The World Health Organization (the classification system used in Europe) also considers personality disorders to be genuine and diagnosable mental illnesses. So, the guest speaker was, in my opinion, committing fraud by presenting herself as a " psychological services provider " if she is unaware that personality disorders exist. In any case, you hit a nerve with your question, didn't you! It makes me wonder if perhaps the speaker herself had been diagnosed with personality disorder... and denying that personality disorder even exists is her way of coping with it? Just wondering out loud, in a manner of speaking. She wouldn't have felt the need to put you down publicly like that if she didn't feel attacked by your innocent question. ( " Things that make you go " Hmmmm? " or " Methinks the lady doth protest too much! " ) It would be interesting to find out where the speaker trained and what kind of degree she has, or if she's just calling herself a " therapist " with little or no training. My guess is that you are more knowledgeable about psychology in general and personality disorders in particular than this speaker is, by virtue of having been raised by a mother with pd. Anyway, bottom line: the speaker was dead wrong. Personality disorder is a real mental illness. Both the APA and the WHO say so. -Annie > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 As someone who is in graduate school currently to become a licensed clinical social worker who practices psychotherapy, I can definitely tell you that your guest speaker was incorrect. I highly recommend you take this concern to your instructor. It's not ok for someone representing the field of mental health to completely discredit a disorder that is very, very real. Good luck! > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 I agree with Yenimaria; if I were in your position I would bring this up with the class instructor. Its irresponsible and unprofessional of the school (or of your class instructor; or whoever it was who made the arrangements) to bring in speakers who are unqualified to represent their purported field of expertise, and who are even spreading disinformation to students. What a pointless waste of time and money, sez I! Grrr! -Annie > > > > Hello, > > > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > > the emotional stuff very often. > > > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > > > BB > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Bullwinkle! Contact your instructor and discuss, as suggested above. BUT for your peace of mind, I'd also get this " Professional's " e-Mail and send him a link to the DSM IV section describing and detailing the Personality Disorders. Just as a 'teachable moment " ya'know. NO honey... this isn't a YOU thing... this is an ASS thing! Lynnette > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Thank you all so much! This comment was gnawing at my brain for a few weeks and I was starting to think that I was either making a mountain out of a molehill or that maybe I was just being intolerant of my nada. I was also feeling very angry because if there is one thing I can't stand to be accused of, it's intolerance. I beleive completly in being tolerant of others but not at the expense of one's own health. Would I get into a car with a psychopath I don't know to avoid hurting his feelings? NO. Emotional abuse and BPD are the same. I am going to send an e-mail to the organization politely pointing out that the personality disorders are recognized by the medical community. This organization provides therapy to children and the children's well being should not be in the hands of someone uneducated. BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 My first thought on reading this is to wonder whether the presenter has either been diagnosed with a personality disorder or feels like the description of personality disorders strikes close enough to home to be threatening. For someone who is supposedly a mental health professional to be denying the existence of recognized disorders is worrisome and reminds me of the kind of denial of reality that is so common with our nadas. Nada doesn't have a problem. It is everyone else who has a problem. At 06:22 PM 06/04/2011 Beatrice Benedick wrote: >Hello, > >I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do >apologise for my >extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy >to deal with >the emotional stuff very often. > >I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a >local >psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as >useful in >treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the >same DBT that is >used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me >and told me >that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just >personality >differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a >disrespectful child). > >I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so >invalidated to >have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am >intolerant >for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it >even >acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised >disorder? I feel >very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me >greatly to be >treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and >self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > >BB -- Katrina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Wow, how pedantic of him; what a jerk! I disagree completely; in fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) disagrees with him, too. Axis II of the DSM-IV is completely focused on " Personality disorders and intellectual disabilities. " So, nah-nah to him. I hate when people act uppity when they don't know anything and enjoy making others feel small. > > Hello, > > I have once again sought the comfort of this group. I do apologise for my > extremely intermittent participation. I don't have the energy to deal with > the emotional stuff very often. > > I was in a class recently and we had a presentation from a local > psychological services provider. They were discussing DBT as useful in > treating addictions. I asked the presenter is that was the same DBT that is > used for " personality disorders " . The presenter corrected me and told me > that there is no such thing as a personality disorder...just personality > differences (in a condescending tone as if I were a disrespectful child). > > I have been haunted by this for several weeks now. I feel so invalidated to > have someone imply that my nada is just different and that I am intolerant > for not accepting those differences. Am I overreacting? Is it even > acceptable for a professional to disregard a recognised disorder? I feel > very strongly about equal treatment for all so it bothers me greatly to be > treated as ignorant and intolerant. I spent YEARS of pain and > self-sacrifice to try and compromise with nada. > > BB > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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