People Divulge The Worst Thing A Mental Health Professional Ever Said To Them

People Divulge The Worst Thing A Mental Health Professional Ever Said To Them
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

We're never that surprised when we encounter people who are lackluster at their jobs. Bad waiters, rude customer service people, dishonest contractors, or inept colleagues abound throughout daily life.

But it's interesting that we expect to encounter that kind of ineptitude far less with certain professionals.

As an example, look no further than the world of mental health. The role of a mental health professional seems to denote such a knack for empathy, patience, and social tact that we're stunned when someone says or does something wildly unprofessional--or downright mean.

Nonetheless, there are problematic people dotting every professional realm, and the mental health sector is no exception.

Some Redditors offered up their finest examples of dreadful mental health care interactions.

Physical_Philosopher asked, "People of Reddit, what is the worst thing a therapist, psychiatrist, or mental health professional has ever said to you?"

Plenty of Redditors came bearing stories that were so bad you may struggle to believe them. These mental health professionals managed to say the most hurtful thing possible at just about the worst time.

The examples were almost cartoonish in how unkind these professionals were.

Salt in the Wound 

"I was dealing with a lot of family issues at the time and my ex had just broken up with me that week so I was taking it fairly hard."

"My therapist said 'it's because they found someone better' and when I said no and tried to explain she just dug in deeper that my ex had dumped me because they found someone better than me."

-- sgrmw

Suddenly, a Brainstorm Session for Insults

"14, telling my shrink about how I was bullied in school."

" 'Do they make fun of your nose?' "

" '...nnnno....?' "

"And that's how I found out I have a big nose."

-- KindlyOlPornographer

The Exact Wrong Outlook 

" 'You'll never do an important job like doctor, veterinarian, firefighter, lawyer, conselor...You'll probably end up in a Walmart for your whole life.' "

"I was 8 years old and still remember how mad my parents were lol."

-- -SincerelyDontCare

Some mental health professionals were simply too absent to be of any help whatsoever. These people may not have done anything outwardly mean, but their distant, neglectful demeanor hurt just as bad.

Mourning Snooze 

"Nothing. She fell asleep in her chair while writing notes....I was talking about the death of my parents. I was 16. Never went to another therapist" -- Papismurf101

"After reading a few of these I'm convinced some therapists get there education on a milk box. Flipping heck. I'm so sorry that happened to you." -- illthinkofonel8er

When Word and Deed Do Not Align 

"When they say things like 'okay I understand how you are feeling thank you for telling me' but proceeds to ignore most of the things I've said. -- PrestigeZyra

"Ugh I hate that. Sympathy is not Empathy."

"Rephrased: 'Based on what you've shared, I think I'm starting to understand what you have been through. Thank you for telling me. Now you said X, would you like to explain that further so I can better understand?' "

"It's called motivational interviewing and that specific technique is 'reflecting' and 'clarification' to ensure the client is able to fully explain their meaning without the provider 'assuming' anything or ignoring the person's statements." -- jhorry

Proven Wrong Almost Immediately 

"Go back to work, you'll be fine, you don't need different meds."

"3 times being sent home and psych ward visit later" -- BalancedJoker

"let me guess, diagnosed with depression (unipolar). prescribed an SSRI type antidepressant. turns out you have biploar depression and without mood stabilizers the SSRIs sent you into a strong manic episode." -- SecTrono

Finally, some people's therapists had bizarre hot takes that they just couldn't let go of. They introduced theories to explain a patient's situation, and gladly turned a blind eye to any realistic evidence to the contrary.

These mental health professionals treated the session more like a debate than a healing space.

Doubling Down 

"I had a psychiatrist who was convinced I was anorexic even though I wasn't."

"It really sucked because my therapist and my psychiatrist worked at the same company and they had a policy where they don't help people with eating disorders."

"So even though I went to a specialist and they confirmed I didn't have an eating disorder I was still banned from that facility and lost my long term therapist."

-- assainXD1

Throwing Shade on a Healthy Habit 

"I use my creativity with art and craft as both a coping skill and as something that gives me extra purpose in life."

"A psychologist told me that doing so is maladaptive. I didn't go back."

-- BlackCaaaaat

Wut

"Had a therapist tell me that my soul, long before I was born, chose my parents and subsequent childhood abuse so that I could learn from it."

"By this logic, of course, the abused person is always in control and the abuser is helpless. Argue with that logic. Needless to say I never saw her again."

-- mercuryrising137


I'm sure there are even more stories out there, and so many egregious comments not included in the list. It's sad but true: some therapists can't help but get in the way of the healing.

Here's hoping you never have any run ins like these.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

mental health

Adults Who Still Need A Stuffed Animal To Go To Sleep Share Their Experiences

Reddit user Old-Horse1185 asked: '34 percent of adults sleep with a stuffed animal or other sentimental object. Are you one of these people? What do you sleep with?'

Old, pink stuffed animal bunny sitting on bed
Photo by Paulo Almeida on Unsplash

Stuffies, plushies, stuffed animals, or plush toys; whatever you might call them, we likely all can remember a fluffy friend we had in our childhood.

But some adults might have carried their childhood friend into adulthood, or even made others along the way, and they might even still go to sleep with them at night, too.

Keep reading...Show less
stuffed animals

The Most F**ked Up Things People Have Ever Seen At Work

Waiter
Kate Townsend/Unsplash

Working remotely from home certainly has its advantages, including not having to endure traffic and deal with coworker drama.

But many people found that during the pandemic, the isolation of working from home left little to be desired.

People who have jobs requiring them to commute every day and arrive at the workplace are given the opportunity to be social and feel like they're a part of society.

But being a part of a work environment can come with its own unique occupational hazards.

Keep reading...Show less
work

People Who Bring Condoms To Funerals 'Just In Case' Share Their Experiences

Coffin in a hearse.
Photo by panyawat auitpol on Unsplash

Be it desperation, self-indulgence, or simply optimism, many people never leave home without a condom.

If the chances of "getting lucky" are much more likely at some places than others, one never knows where or when they might hit it off with someone.

Including a funeral.

Bizarre and tasteless as that sounds, a recent study reportedly showed that 1 in 8 men under the age of 35 do, in fact, bring condoms with them when attending a funeral, "just in case".

Whether or not these condoms were used, however, is another story entirely.

Keep reading...Show less
condoms

The Best Real-Life Examples Of 'Never Interrupt An Enemy While They're Making A Mistake'

On a black and white chessboard a White King topples a Black King
GR Stocks on Unsplash

People will trip themselves up eventually.

Because liars and lunatics always make mistakes.

They may be small mistakes, but they leave just enough room to expose their wicked ways.

Sure we all want to fight off an enemy and be the victor.

But sometimes the victor's greatest weapon is nothing but a little patience.

Then, we celebrate with a smile as we watch the crumble.

And maybe we have a little victory dance.

Keep reading...Show less
mistakes