Interviews with Psychiatrists

[madbr3991]

i went to see a psychiatrists a few times about my circumcision anger and the depression it caused me

and basically the psychiatrist told me to stop talking about and researching circumcision. this psychiatrist kept trying to push the topic away from what i was seeing him for. i found this forum way more helpful then that psychiatrist was.

i think that those few visits were just a waist of money

[peterpink]

Originally Posted by madbr3991

i went to see a psychiatrists a few times about my circumcision anger and the depression it caused me and basically the psychiatrist told me to stop talking about and researching circumcision. this psychiatrist kept trying to push the topic away from what i was seeing him for. i found this forum way more helpful then that psychiatrist was.

i think that those few visits were just a waist of money

It sounds like the psychiatrist was in denial about the damage of circumcision. At least the men on this site understand. Thanks for your input.

[WoundedBird]

I am fortunate to have a wonderful therapist. She completely believes me regarding circumcision as a genital mutilation. She said she had "never really thought about it." - but that it makes perfect sense, and she trusts my research.

She has told me that my intense sorrow and grief is totally normal and I should never feel ashamed for them. She tells me that I shouldn't ever feel the need to bury my feelings or forget about the topic of genital mutilation.

At the same time, she is trying to help me heal, and sublimate my sadness and rage. She fully supports me in pursuing activism, restoration, and support from others in my position.

She has informed some of her colleagues about MGM trauma and tries to bolster me by saying "See, you are enlightening people all the time."

This woman has an MA and is a Licensed Clinical Therapist. She isn't a psychologist but I don't think that is necessary for my therapy. She is well educated in psychology and is actually a Somatic Therapist. So she likes to encourage healing of body as well as mind and spirit. This helps her even further understand the trauma I feel. She doesn't negate how important sexuality is to human functioning. I hate when people say "Well it's just sex." I always think "WELL, sexuality is probably the most primal and essential aspect of human existence." Obviously there aren't many places worse than the genitals a person can be attacked.

Anyway, clearly it is possible to find a sympathetic therapist. It might take a little work. I recommend requesting a female, first of all. They almost always ask for a gender preference. The reason is, a circumcised male therapist is going to be confronted with his own genital mutilation trauma while counseling a wounded intactivist. This is likely to destroy the therapeutic potential within the relationship. They are likely to either be defensive and treat the patient as delusional, or to become antagonistic outright. If the male therapist does indeed recognize it as a genuine trauma, it's likely he will be confronting his own grief. None of those outcomes is ideal for the MGM traumatized patient.

[WoundedBird]

Oh...also...

Very rarely do people actually see psychiatrists anymore for psychotherapy. I go to a local behavioral health office, and I only see the psychiatrist every 1-3 months. I see my therapist every week.

To see a psychiatrist for psychotherapy is possible but it is outrageously expensive. I have medicaid so I don't have that option. I love my therapist so much though that I would never want to trade her for anyone.

Psychiatrists are quite often less adept at individual psychotherapy than trained therapists or psychologists. Nowadays Psychiatrists primarily prescribe medication, while licensed therapists or psychologists perform the actual therapy.