Some depressing statistics

by Mouser The King Cat

I never have understood what psychologists do, aside from listening to patients who are lying on a couch. My assistant knew a psychologist back in the day and reports that he likely is nuttier than anybody he treats. Data from Great Britain lend insight: The National Health Service (otherwise known as Socialized Medicine Inc.) reports that 46% of its psychologists have shown symptoms of depression.

Big number. Heavy stuff. The Telegraph of London recently carried an anonymous essay from a former NHS psychologist who once suffered from depression. Let’s focus on this slice:

 “I’m certain part of the reason that I sank so low is that, even in the mental health profession, I felt that there was a stigma attached to depression – which meant, even though I had a supportive boss, that I was reticent to admit, or possibly even recognize, that I needed help.”

 “At the time I saw up to six clients a day, five days a week, and my caseload was full of people with heavyweight problems: people who were sexually abused as children by their parents, brothers, sisters, uncles and grandparents; people with borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder; people who had lived through horrific accidents, and whose operations had gone horribly wrong; asylum seekers who had been tortured. All in a day’s work.”

Eventually this troubled psychologist was referred to a psychiatrist, who prescribed an antidepressant that worked. (In general, the difference between the professions is that a psychiatrist is a licensed physician and carries a prescription pad.)

The essay goes on to trash the NHS, the darling of American liberals, confirming my long-held opinion: It’s like having the VA treat everybody. You don’t have to be a veteran to suffer.