I have always struggled to understand how the bulk of psychiatrists are able to ignore the suffering and abuses. One explanation stuck with me from 25 years ago. New York was holding an educational symposium to educate the judges who adjudicate complaints of inpatients from the 18 state psychiatric hospitals that existed then. I was asked to speak to the group. I agreed to speak but wondered what I could say that would reach these judges. I called my mentor and friend, Rae Unzicker and asked for advice. She told me to tell them that the only people who had an understanding of what really went on in there, were the patients who spent 24 hours of every day confined there. The workers went home each day and saw an extremely abnormal way to live as a NORMAL workplace – how else would they be able to survive and see what took place and not see the suffering. The capacity/ability for the denial of reality(if there is a reality that is more than a convenient agreement of the majority) is not just for those judged psychotic. But for some of us who are better at exercising self interest – it may be the major criterion of diagnosing who is “mentally ill?”
I think I made Don older than he is – it was around his 75 birthday I think. Irit, anything that I can do to help with your work, let me know. Publishing now is very tough with anything that they don’t think has established a track record for sales.
I read your article here and found myself growing lighter and optimistic in these extremely troubling and dis- heartening times. When I think of you, Don, I remember walking with you at a protest in Montreal – I believe it was around your 85th birthday. I always remember your words to me: “I live to protest.” Irit, it’s great to see the work you’re doing and the long-deserved recognition Don is getting. Don, we are brothers in our experience and survival from insulin shock. Our brother Leonard is gone but like you his work and being is strong and in my heart and many others. The two of us along with our sister survivor, Dorothy Dundas must continue to testify and shout out against the newer, powerful attacks on our humanity. Don you are a treasure.
Ron
Chris,
Congratulations for writing this beautifully written thought-provoking article. The responses that you received clearly indicate the mental and physical energy we use to hold on to our experience-honed beliefs. Like most, I have beliefs that challenge my ability to be open, but at this stage in my life, being open and recognizing the influence and exertions of ego and their effects on me, are the tasks I value for my personal growth. Currently I am co-writing an invited article for the Humanistic Psychology Journal’s special issue on de-constructing diagnosis. The article examines how names are used historically and across cultures. . . . moves into the impact of psychiatric diagnosis. I am hoping that the article will help us ponder naming power and its impact on how we think and live.. Thanks Chris for having the courage and clarity to expose your thoughts and beliefs to critical examination here.
Don, you are a true warrior. Excellent article with great suggestions for meaningful resistance. How you are able to sustain your deep compassion and commitment for so many years challenges me to keep trying to do more. In the words of Justin Dart, “lead on.”
Love you my insulin brother.
Ron
Matt/Edward
Your essay is excellent. Thanks for taking the plunge into the murky water of self-disclosure. COURAGE/risk, the ongoing choices that propel us to pursue living our lives more fully.
With respect,
Ron
Hi,
I never advise anyone to disclose unless they are in a position to do so without getting hurt. I would love to see more people doing it, but I understand the risks. There are rewards too. After I became open ….and got used to it, there was an incredible sense of freedom to be myself, no secrets – no shadow. I will say though that there was and still is an ongoing fight for credibility. I am encouraged that there are more people telling their stories and I’m seeing value attributed to narratives that didn’t exist 20 years ago.
I think you are doing a lot of good with the challenges you present at ISPS and the references and information that you provide. Obviously, for you right now there is a risk to being open so maybe sometime when it’s a better time and you feel it would be good for you, disclose. I have dropped out of ISPS – too frustrating for me, but I am still getting the Emails – probably because my paid membership has not yet expired.
Warm regards,
Ron
Hi David,
As always it is good to see your activism and clear articulation of our most important issue. Your summary is excellent and I particularly liked your linking years of forced treatment, conformity and climate change.
Ron
My thanks to you and Susan for opening up the thoughtful discussion of this complex issue. Too often denied is the state’s denial of the inevitable pain of living/dying and the proffering of too simple, inadequate assistance that often does more harm than good. I strongly agree that a significant detriment to the work of professionals – medical and alternatives – is the risk aversion encouraged by government and supported by the “ethical standards” of the professional guilds. I too have practiced the therapeutic principles that you listed and also have been lucky or whatever might be attributed to it, of not having been involved in a successful suicide. I just want to mention that many years ago, my dear friend and mentor, Rae Unzicker used to lend me books from her library of “fugitive” literature, and at the time, the most memorable was Shrink Resistant, authored by you and Don Weitz.
I am very glad for the work you have done and continue to do.
Thanks so much for the kind feedback Cindy. Very happy that you and your son have successfully moved on in your journeys. Since I moved from NY to Colorado I have not been in touch with Nazlim – a good person. Say hello from me if you see her.
I’m glad for you and all those who have gotten their lives back. There is something out there for everyone; different for each of us and it may take time and a lot of attempts to make something work.
As always Bob, an excellent essay.
I have always struggled to understand how the bulk of psychiatrists are able to ignore the suffering and abuses. One explanation stuck with me from 25 years ago. New York was holding an educational symposium to educate the judges who adjudicate complaints of inpatients from the 18 state psychiatric hospitals that existed then. I was asked to speak to the group. I agreed to speak but wondered what I could say that would reach these judges. I called my mentor and friend, Rae Unzicker and asked for advice. She told me to tell them that the only people who had an understanding of what really went on in there, were the patients who spent 24 hours of every day confined there. The workers went home each day and saw an extremely abnormal way to live as a NORMAL workplace – how else would they be able to survive and see what took place and not see the suffering. The capacity/ability for the denial of reality(if there is a reality that is more than a convenient agreement of the majority) is not just for those judged psychotic. But for some of us who are better at exercising self interest – it may be the major criterion of diagnosing who is “mentally ill?”
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I think I made Don older than he is – it was around his 75 birthday I think. Irit, anything that I can do to help with your work, let me know. Publishing now is very tough with anything that they don’t think has established a track record for sales.
Report comment
I read your article here and found myself growing lighter and optimistic in these extremely troubling and dis- heartening times. When I think of you, Don, I remember walking with you at a protest in Montreal – I believe it was around your 85th birthday. I always remember your words to me: “I live to protest.” Irit, it’s great to see the work you’re doing and the long-deserved recognition Don is getting. Don, we are brothers in our experience and survival from insulin shock. Our brother Leonard is gone but like you his work and being is strong and in my heart and many others. The two of us along with our sister survivor, Dorothy Dundas must continue to testify and shout out against the newer, powerful attacks on our humanity. Don you are a treasure.
Ron
Report comment
Chris,
Congratulations for writing this beautifully written thought-provoking article. The responses that you received clearly indicate the mental and physical energy we use to hold on to our experience-honed beliefs. Like most, I have beliefs that challenge my ability to be open, but at this stage in my life, being open and recognizing the influence and exertions of ego and their effects on me, are the tasks I value for my personal growth. Currently I am co-writing an invited article for the Humanistic Psychology Journal’s special issue on de-constructing diagnosis. The article examines how names are used historically and across cultures. . . . moves into the impact of psychiatric diagnosis. I am hoping that the article will help us ponder naming power and its impact on how we think and live.. Thanks Chris for having the courage and clarity to expose your thoughts and beliefs to critical examination here.
Report comment
Well said Darby and very painful to re-live – we were so hopeful. Seems like a Sisyphean task but too much is at stake for us to give in.
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Don, you are a true warrior. Excellent article with great suggestions for meaningful resistance. How you are able to sustain your deep compassion and commitment for so many years challenges me to keep trying to do more. In the words of Justin Dart, “lead on.”
Love you my insulin brother.
Ron
Report comment
Matt/Edward
Your essay is excellent. Thanks for taking the plunge into the murky water of self-disclosure. COURAGE/risk, the ongoing choices that propel us to pursue living our lives more fully.
With respect,
Ron
Report comment
Hi,
I never advise anyone to disclose unless they are in a position to do so without getting hurt. I would love to see more people doing it, but I understand the risks. There are rewards too. After I became open ….and got used to it, there was an incredible sense of freedom to be myself, no secrets – no shadow. I will say though that there was and still is an ongoing fight for credibility. I am encouraged that there are more people telling their stories and I’m seeing value attributed to narratives that didn’t exist 20 years ago.
I think you are doing a lot of good with the challenges you present at ISPS and the references and information that you provide. Obviously, for you right now there is a risk to being open so maybe sometime when it’s a better time and you feel it would be good for you, disclose. I have dropped out of ISPS – too frustrating for me, but I am still getting the Emails – probably because my paid membership has not yet expired.
Warm regards,
Ron
Report comment
Hi David,
As always it is good to see your activism and clear articulation of our most important issue. Your summary is excellent and I particularly liked your linking years of forced treatment, conformity and climate change.
Ron
Report comment
My thanks to you and Susan for opening up the thoughtful discussion of this complex issue. Too often denied is the state’s denial of the inevitable pain of living/dying and the proffering of too simple, inadequate assistance that often does more harm than good. I strongly agree that a significant detriment to the work of professionals – medical and alternatives – is the risk aversion encouraged by government and supported by the “ethical standards” of the professional guilds. I too have practiced the therapeutic principles that you listed and also have been lucky or whatever might be attributed to it, of not having been involved in a successful suicide. I just want to mention that many years ago, my dear friend and mentor, Rae Unzicker used to lend me books from her library of “fugitive” literature, and at the time, the most memorable was Shrink Resistant, authored by you and Don Weitz.
I am very glad for the work you have done and continue to do.
Report comment
Thank you……yes, luck, karma, spirit…..whatever it’s good to have the chance to go my own way.
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Thanks so much for the kind feedback Cindy. Very happy that you and your son have successfully moved on in your journeys. Since I moved from NY to Colorado I have not been in touch with Nazlim – a good person. Say hello from me if you see her.
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Jim, it’s great to hear from you; it’s been much too long. Be well and live with joy and compassion (giving and receiving) my dear friend.
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I’m glad for you and all those who have gotten their lives back. There is something out there for everyone; different for each of us and it may take time and a lot of attempts to make something work.
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Thanks Darby – I always value your opinion and you. Let’s talk soon.
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