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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by badhaircut on September 28, 2004, at 9:38:17
At Slate Magazine, Ann Hulbert reviews Dr Phil's recent TV appearances in which he promotes his new parenting book. She questions
-quote-
...whether addressing parents as if they were impulsive 2-year-olds is a good way to convey [Phil's] message that regaining parental authority entails maturity. The spectacle of adults being bullied [by Phil] and breaking down doesn't seem particularly edifying for kids—especially if what they need most, as Dr. Phil suggests, is to be able to respect, and rely on, parental guidance.
-unquote-She said his TV promotions show kids in full view in very vulnerable, private, bad situations. She says it's abuse.
She's pretty dismissive of his book, too, which she says advises running the family like a downsized business. Hulbert wrote "Raising America" on the history of parenting books. Her review of Dr Phil is at http://www.slate.com/id/2107226/
Posted by Daisym on September 28, 2004, at 11:08:55
In reply to Dr Phil, abuser, posted by badhaircut on September 28, 2004, at 9:38:17
Any therapist who says he hated working with all those "whiny" clients is not someone I want to take advice from.
On the other hand, I would never put my family through anything so publicly humiliating. I'm constantly amazed at what people will tell on TV.
There are so many good parenting books. I think I'll skip this one.
Posted by tabitha on September 28, 2004, at 14:22:11
In reply to Re: Dr Phil, abuser » badhaircut, posted by Daisym on September 28, 2004, at 11:08:55
It seems like the pop psychology shows like to feature tough love. I don't know Dr Phil, but did you ever watch the Maury show? Seems like every episode they were doing boot camp for somebody, where they had actual drill sargeants yelling at them to shape up. Mostly it was 'troubled' youths getting the treatment. I think it taps into some deep frustration people have with relationships. If only there were a quick fix, some way to just bring in an expert and force people to behave how we want. Wouldn't that be nice?
Posted by coral on September 28, 2004, at 14:22:34
In reply to Dr Phil, abuser, posted by badhaircut on September 28, 2004, at 9:38:17
Dr Phil McGraw seems to specialize in drive-by counseling. Ugh
Posted by 10derHeart on September 28, 2004, at 18:08:45
In reply to Re: Dr Phil, abuser, posted by coral on September 28, 2004, at 14:22:34
So well put, Coral.
Funny, just today I got several emails from an adult ADD/ADHD group I belong to, quoting some stuff the infamous Dr.Phil said on a recent show in a segment about ADD in both kids and adults. They were scientifically inaccurate and unsupported, or so it sounds to me. Actually pretty alarming, as he talks about drugs inducing mania and makes claims about the nonexistance of studies that DO exist, and so on. Also blames parents for everything ultimately, implying most kids wouldn't need meds if they'd just do their jobs right. Lovely. Of course we have some awful parentling going on, but please, it's hardly that simple. He's irresponsible, to say the least, if this info. is true. I avoid him - find him rather slick and pretty creepy.
Yes - if you hadn't guessed, I have adult ADD, *in remission*, as a pdoc would say, vastly improved due to 2 years of a blend of CBT/psychodynamic therapy, and a nice balance of Strattera and Ritalin. Perhaps Dr. Phil thinks I should toss the meds and forget how in therapy I've learned to appreciate and marvel over the differences in my fantabulous right-brained way of thinking. Sure, I'll simply phone my 79 year-old dad and tell him ADD is all his fault due to lousy parenting!
Oh, I do get prickly when I hear things like this. Climbing down off soap box now. (sorry)
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 28, 2004, at 20:45:47
In reply to Dr Phil, abuser, posted by badhaircut on September 28, 2004, at 9:38:17
I don't always agree with Dr. Phil about a particular issue, but I feel the guy is really trying to help others. He claims to be a "change agent". He doesn't claim to be the usual type of chair therapist.
As far as showing this kids acting out with ADD, I have benefited from seeing it. I see kids act like that all the time. I don't think that I don't know a family without a kid that hasn't been dx with ADHD. I have seen the mothers interact with the kids exactly like the mom's on his show. I do believe the mom's would benefit from the show to see that they are not alone and what they can do to help the children and themselves. He does have follow up shows to show improvements on the kids.
Other disorders are shown on tv and it's not abuse, so how is it that showing ADHD is abuse? I have seen shows on Dementia and patients are not able to give consent. Their minds are not able to function properly and we the viewers see their deteroration for information sake. So, how is this any different. It is a mental condition. Unlike dementia, these children can improve.
The show that I saw on ADD also added information about the teachers and the school system. This is a major problem that will affect society. We have a whole generation being put on medication for a condition and we don't know the consequences of it. There are serious side effects. For some, I realize this may be a necessity. But how did the human race survive with out these meds and time out? Before tv was a baby sister? Before single parent homes were common place?
How is this generation so different than the others that parents can handle their children? The disorder has been linked to tv usage. There are so many questions to be answered, but part of finding the answer is identifying the problem. As was mentioned on his show, one child had symptoms more depression than ADD.
My mind is wandering here. I don't expect anyone to agree. I know Dr. Phil has his odd ways, but we all do. But, he is trying to help and that says a lot. How many of us can say we are trying to help so many with so many types of conditions? I like his simple no non-sense approach.
As far as people being on his show, some folks don't care about showing their stuff as long as they get help. We all have secrets, but they don't have any power when they are out in the open. I admire those that put their stuff out their and get help. We only live once, so who the heck will care if you were on his show 100 years from now? Hey, who the heck will care about this post then either?
Posted by just plain jane on September 28, 2004, at 22:37:15
In reply to Re: Dr Phil, abuser, posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 28, 2004, at 20:45:47
I agree with you. Phil is trying to help people help themselves.
The people who go on his show know exactly what they are signing up for, and it's not private therapy, nor is it the most popular approach. It is Dr. Phil McGraw's approach.
We all have the choice to like or not like our Ts. And to change to a different one.
Phil, like every other therapist, is a human being, just like you and I. He is not magical, a miracle worker, or the person in whose hands I want to put my psyche. But neither is any other therapist or psychiatrist, or ANYONE.
My head is my responsibility. My T and Pdoc are the people (emphasize people) with whom I discuss matters of the mind, just as I discuss matters of veterinary medicine with a veterinarian. I also have friends with whom I discuss feelings and thoughts and, well, a great deal of the things I discuss with my T. But I'm not going to surrender my psyche, my identity, if you will, to any of them.
It's nice sometimes to have that professional who has no investment in my life as a friend or family member. The objective T.
And again I ramble on.
jpj
This is the end of the thread.
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