* I generally write using the pronouns he/him when referring to narcissists, but females are just as likely to be narcissists or exhibit narcissistic traits. So please don't think just because article uses the word him or he that it could not be a woman in that same role.
Your psychiatrist needs as much information as possible in order to get an accurate picture and establish the best treatment plan for you.
That being said. There a few things that you should never tell your therapist.
1. That receptionist is pretty hot, I’m going to get her number on the way out, I don’t take no for an answer (winks).
2. I dumped my last shrink. He claimed I owed him a lot of money. I told him to go to hell and if he went after me I’d make a complaint to his licensing board. I’ve done that before, but not with someone like you.
3. I’m interested in receiving touch therapy, and I’d love to get it from you.
4. I know the sign says “No Firearms” but I have to carry concealed all the time because I’m in a situation where I need to protect myself, so I can’t leave my piece in the car.
5. I want to video all our sessions so I can share them with my friends. Most of them think I don’t need to go to a counselor.
6. Sorry, I have trust issues, and I’m not signing anything, and I’m not ready to give you my full name.
7. You can’t give me any diagnosis of any kind because it will interfere with my work, but I still want my insurance to pay for this.
8. I don’t think I can work with you unless we can be friends and go for coffee once in a while.
9. I brought a small bottle of brandy, and I want us to make a toast to starting therapy.
10. Your office is not accessible and I have a disability, and I can sue you unless you put in an elevator, and I don’t care about your “alternative arrangements.”
11. You should never tell your psychiatrist lies.
Their job is to help you. You wouldn’t tell your doctor that your stomach hurts when you have head pain, and expect to get an effective diagnosis or treatment, yet I see so many people who lie to their psychiatrist or their therapist and then complain that their medication or their therapy isn’t working.
The statement garbage in, garbage out applies here. Tell the truth to the people who are trained to act on it, and you’ll have a much better experience.
If You Need A Crisis Hotline Or Want To Learn More About Therapy, Please See Below:
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) – 1-800-656-4673
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
- NAMI Helpline (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – 1-800-950-6264
For More Information On Mental Health, Please See:
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA Facebook, SAMHSA Twitter, SAMHSA LinkedIn, SAMHSA Youtube
- Mental Health America, MHA Twitter, MHA Facebook, MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest, MHA Youtube
- WebMD, WebMD Facebook, WebMD Twitter, WebMD Instagram, WebMD Pinterest
- NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), NIMH Instagram, NIMH Facebook, NIMH Twitter, NIMH YouTube
- APA (American Psychiatric Association), APA Twitter, APA Facebook, APA LinkedIN, APA Instagram