Dark, Darko and Darkest: Reflections on literary and scientific depictions of human experience
The Beatles, whose extant members recently released all of their classic albums in a redigitalized format, once said in a song, "All you need is love." A Burt Bacharach song proclaims, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..." But do we diminish the whole notion of love, when we try to study as detached, objective, scientific observers?
How can love be measured, and put under the microscope? Futhermore, how can one measure the depth and intensity of the grief suffered by those most directly affected by the events of 9/11, and, in many cases, continue to feel? Is it better expressed through scientific discourse or in a song?
One September Mournin'
Sacramento Bands Together
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2009
Story behind the song
Can one put inside a test tube, or objectively quantify, the anguish expressed in this song (linked below) over the sense of being falsely accused of something that carries immense personal consequences, like those faced by the character who is the subject of this song?
Billie Jean (Country Remake)
Dr BLT and the Buckaroo (Kim McAbee)
Country remake of Michael Jackson song
Those espousing a science of psychology go to great lengths in defense of operational definitions and efforts to classify and quantify phenomena. Consider this list of purposes outlined in the Oxford Textbook of Psychopathology (Edited by T. Millon, Paul H. Blaney, and Roger D. Davis).
"Classifications serve several purposes. These systems (1) provide a nomenclature for practitioners; serve as a basis for organizing and retrieving information; (3) describe the common patterns of symptom presentation; (4) provide the basis for prediction; (5) form the basis for the development of theories; and (6) serve sociopolitical functions."
What do you think, or, rather, how do you feel, about such justifications? Is psychology moving in the direction of encouraging a world such as the fictional world depicted in the movie, Equilibrium? Have we become a society bereft of passion, bereft of raw human emotion, and bereft of all that makes us human? How important is it for you, as a practitioner, or a prospective practitioner, to have this type of nomenclature? How important are classification systems to you, in terms of "retrieving information? Is it more important to you to "describe the common patterns of symptom presentation," or to feel, in some sense, the pain or suffering of your patient?
Are classification systems really crucial to the "development of theories," or can theories develop independently of them? Finally, to what extent do sociopolitical pressures dictate the contents of classification systems, and how objectively derived are the development of such systems?
What I'm asking you to do here, in accordance with the philosophy of deconstruction, is to question traditional assumptions and defenses for established tradition in the field. What I'm asking you to do, is not throw the baby out with the bathwater, but to separate the baby from the bathwater.
As I mentioned in a recent Clinical Assessment graduate class, one must learn the language and classification systems of scientific psychology, and one must fall in line with the existing paradigm in order to effect change within the field. If you try to break down the door, though you may get heard, you won't be allowed in. If you learn the existing theories and are able to identify the theories who generated them, held up as sacred by "keepers of the faith," and, if you master all of the language of observation, scientific analysis and measurement, you will be allowed enterence into the house, a house that, once entered, can be remodeled in accordance with a new paradigm.
Which moves you more, the story of Dibbs, the emotionally disturbed youngster, in the book by Virginia M. Axline, so eloquently read by the Nicholas, the esteemed graduate student in a recent class held at National University, or the diagnostic criteria for Childhood Disintegrated Disorder? It is important, as a student, and/or a practitioner, to be moved, or is it enough to simply take a dispassionate approach to understanding a given phenomenon?
The movie Donnie Darko, blurs the line between the paranormal and the psychopathological. It complicates the way we, as scholars, practitioners, or others in the field of psychology, look at a given human phenomenon like that of schizophrenia. It throws a monkey wrench into traditional conceptualizations concerning mental health and mental illness. It does so in a way consistent with the philosophy of deconstruction.
In "Shedding the Stagnant Slough Syndrome: Interdisciplinary Integration (Creativity Research Journal, 1998), I said this: "Like water, an isolated body of knowledge can become stagnant when cut off from incoming sources of rejuvenation. This stagnancy increases as creative dialogue between disciplines is reduced. Dialogue, an essential element for a truly educated and well-balanced society, is often sacrificed in the name of progress, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. This leads to a pervasive dehumanizing effect on civilization."
Isn't it true that to be a good therapist, you must be objective at all times, and to be a good therapist, you must observe things only in terms of that which is directly accessible to the five senses, and efficiently measurable in precise, descriptive, unambiguous units?
Freud once said something to the effect of this: When you're trying to be a good therapist, you're missing the mark. What are your thoughts? What are your feelings on the matter?
In my world of blog n roll, I provide the topics and the tunes, and you provide the talk. Here's another opportunity to do just that. Pretend this is a virtual coffee house of the type they had back in the early sixties, the days of the beatniks. Just kick back, have some coffee and create thoughts. Share feelings. Become emotionally and intellectually engaged in the subject at hand.
Posted by Bruce L Thiessen Ph D at 9/11/2009 1:46 PM 
Categories: songs, movies
Tags: psychological perspective on movies psychological perspective on cultural works
Categories: songs, movies
Tags: psychological perspective on movies psychological perspective on cultural works
First of all, Good Job Dr. BLT on your song ! May we NEVER EVER forget that September morning and how it changed the world!
Reading a diagnosis from the DSM on a certain disorder can truly be a very dry cracker which may be hard to swallow! Reading about Dibbs on the other hand, is hard in the sense that you establish a relationship with the character~ a dry cracker with a warm cup of tea can be swallowed much easier.
Dibbs, puts a face to Childhood Disintigrated Disorder~ a very sad condition.
I agree that Nicholas was an excellent reader~
In our practicum I class, we became therapists to our fellow classmates. An interesting observation was made by our professor~ when we were with our "client" and we, the therapists, came in as the "therapist", we were not as engaged, trying to think what the "diagnosis" would be, or making sure we were reflecting back correctly etc. but when she told us to come into the room and simply be "present" to that person and see what they were bringing to the room, everything changed. We took our therapist hat off and just met the person where he or she was and just listened to their suffering, that made the world of difference! So, I agree with the idea "if your are you trying to be a "good therapist" you may miss the mark!"
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Part 1 Love and detachment
I personally believe that both expressing feelings and maintaining objectivity can coexist in therapy, each has its role. But, there must be clear boundaries or objectives for therapy to be effective. We must put aside our own biases and focus on that person and their issues.
I can't image dealing with people without having that emotional connection, empathy, and understanding for their wellbeing.
How can one measure love? I don't know if you can. Each person expresses love differently. I believe love is everywhere, we just need to be aware and atuned to each others feelings. Love is such a powerful force. It is how one expresses that feeling that sometimes makes it hard to detect.
In the same note, how can one measure grief? I can't imagine nor comprehend the measure and depth of grief and anguish those family members experienced as the result of 911. Everyone experiences grief differently. There is not a right or wrong way, just what is right for that individual.
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What a lot to think about! I hope our society never becomes numb to feelings and emotions. That is what makes us human.
A therapist must be objective in terms of understanding with a clear mind what a patient is going thru, giving proper diagnosis, understanding different theories, and applying the type of therapy that would be most beneficial to that person.
I feel that we must follow the proper protocal, but also think outside the box for new solutions. We should never stop learning and be open-minded enough to listen to new ideas.
Freud's statement is interesting. If we are only striving to be a "good" therapist, then our main focus is on us and not what is in the best interest of the patient.
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The justifications of theories in my opinion is needed by clinicians as well as by therapist and future therapist. These are needed in order to guide or steer us in the right direction. Justifications are to me like a road map that will guide me to certain places I need to get to. But when I get there I will be able to see what is there, as well as make the decisions I as a therapist will need help my client. The development of theories is needed in order to help the therapist or future therapist's the ability to steer the treatment plan to the right area were the clients issues are located.
In Equilibrium the society was being held captive by the fears of their emotions. By ignoring or suppressing feelings a society as a whole could avoid the reality of life as well as the feelings attached to living. As a future practicing practitioner I know that I will need to feel in order to better understand my patient, but my feelings will be used not as a counter transference of my life sense but to be sympathetic for their life issues andbe able to help them. Danny Darko movie was a good insight into the life of schizophrenia. It was an eye opener for me because the readings in the classes concerning these disorders deal only with hospitalizations and medicines needed by the clients. But the classes do not show how the clients actually try to live and interact within their world, and how the family and their friends and world. But the story of Dibs is more pulling on my strings of emotions. This is because as a parent I connect with the teachers of Dibs in trying to help him cope with his world and with his disability. The reasons I want to be a therapist is so that I can help, clients like Danny Darko, Dibs and even the characters in Equilibrium. Ensuring that they are aware that it is okay to feel and that feelings can be a good path used in the road to help them find ways to deal with their issues and eventually be able to function in their world.
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The 9/11 tragedy was overwhelming to all Americans who either directly, or indirectly experienced this event. The fear hate and grief that this event created and left to linger on the people was crutial. Feelings and emotions are, in my opinion, really downplayed by our society. For example, some jobs offer up to one week for the loss of a loved one. Then we are expected to return to work with our most efficient capacity. Isn't this like setting a time line of when we should be feeling better? I have witnessed co-workers who were talked about and chastised for continuing to grief after returning to work. The fact that we as a society have taken loss, tragedy and put a "get well" time line to it, only emphasizes the low tolerance we have developed with feelings or emotions towards others. I feel that feelings and emotions have taken a back seat and are oppressed by many for this same reason. Western culture teaches us to seek out counseling for our problems. As therapist, many resort to heavy medication for treating clients symptoms that are rightfully felt, and that only time can heal. But, do to the pressure to make a client feel better immediately, therapists prescribe meds. Love is not measurable, nor is grief, this in my opinion is measured individually and differently. One may require meds, or the repetition of a heart felt song for healing. Assigning names and diagnosis, is easiest for a therapist to do, rather than to deal with feelings and emotions and dealing with slow progress. The pressure that a therapist has to report good progress to health care insurances, creates a rush for quick treatment plans and resort to quick fix methods. We as a society have detached ourselves from dwelling on feelings. Therapist would rather, assign diagnosis to presenting symptoms, than to try to sympathize or feel what the client is feeling. This is also not practical, nor is believed to be a form of therapy. I don't feel that a therapist needs to be emotionally involved with clients feelings and emotions, but needs to be understanding of them. It is true that at times some therapist focus on finding the problem and therefore miss the main point or presenting issue. Therefore, as a therapist it will be good practice to be objective, understanding,critical of client's expression and demeanor. Sometimes body language and facial expressions tell more than words.
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Of course having nomenclature and the guidelines provided by classifications are important but, they are not a replacement for the “feelings” of the therapist. I would imagine that it is quite common (or at least I hope it is) for a client to meet all of the criteria for a specific diagnosis, yet the therapist does not “feel” that this diagnosis is the appropriate one. The same can be said for prediction. Human behavior can often be anticipated based on certain facts, but never predicted with complete accuracy. Thus, the unpredictable becomes the realm of the therapist. As for theories, they are well, theories. Psychology without empathy or feeling is just science.
We can, as a society, continue to methodically place people in psychological categories, provide drugs that help people “fit in”, and segregate those that do not or we can admit that we do not even know what all of the categories are, we don’t really know how all of the drugs work, and we are not all powerful beings that should decide who should be ostracized. You say crazy, I say creative!
As far as objectivity is concerned, no one is completely objective. Therapists are human and, as human beings, we are the product of every experience that has occurred until this very moment. Therefore each of us has a unique perspective. While some people may have similar thoughts and feelings on a subject, they cannot be sure that those feelings are exactly the same as another's because we cannot determine whether we are experiencing any event in exactly same way as another person. The best we can do is attempt to keep our personal judgments out of the mix.
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I don’t think we are becoming or even close to be becoming a society void of emotion. Emotion, in my opinion, is what drives us, as humans, to do what we do. Emotions are central to what makes us “tick.” Having emotion is what will make us, as classmates, good therapists. Emotion is what will help us connect with someone who is seeking professional help. Think about it - when we give advice to our friends and family - where does that advice come from? We FEEL for that person and his/her situation and we offer help. Or we are able to connect from a similar experience and we remember how WE FELT. Being able to feel and sense creates experiences (good and bad). To be a good clinician, we need to feel and sense our clients in order to treat them accordingly. Every client will be different and we will always need to readjust our feelings and emotions towards him or her. Being void of emotion will only hinder any experience with clients be it good or bad.
I understand that some people, as clinicians, are afraid that emotions will cloud their ability to treat a patient adequately but sometimes it is taken too far. An example I can share is that of a psychiatrist that was treating my son for ADHD. This man was like a robot in his field. He had no personality and was very cold and unwelcoming. He said all the “right” things and was very thorough but I hated taking my son to see him. It seemed as though he didn’t care and that is huge when treating a child AND an adult. Why would an adult continue to seek therapy from someone who he or she thought did not care about their issues? People are not objects to be “fixed.”
I completely agree with the quote: “When you're trying to be a good therapist, you're missing the mark.” If one tries too hard to be a good therapist that person may become too sidetracked to be able to be “good” at their job. Only when one can let down their walls and push aside their fears of “trying to be good” can one fully embrace the world of therapy – this goes for both clinician AND client.
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Well said! I totally agree with the above comment. When we show our human side and let down some of our barriers, I feel that we become more approachable and can ease others to open up to us.
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How to be a “good” therapist seems to be a rhetorical question. What is “good” for one client might not be “good” for another client. Each client has different needs and the therapist has to work within his/her scope to uncover the needs of the client. Objectivity is one of the components needed to be a “good” therapist. The therapist should work to understand the issues the client wants to work on and not impose his/her own agenda onto the client. In order to be objective the therapist should be fully aware of his/her own belief systems about the presenting problem of the client. Also, the therapist should be honest about if he/she can be objective if the therapist has strong feelings regarding the presenting problem of the client. My current supervisor has stated to many times in our supervision that we need to make sure that we look at everything that happens in a session within the context of the client. At first, I was not sure exactly what that meant. However, now I understand that as a therapist I need to understand the microcosm of the client in order to be able to provide that client with “good” therapy. This means being able to use all of my senses and intuition to understand each client within his/her own context; as well as, being in tuned with the senses of the client so I do not impose my own feelings and belief systems onto him/her. Feelings are important and I believe to be a “good” therapist you have to understand your feelings as well as be open to understanding the feelings of your client. I personally don’t believe “good” therapy can be provided if you don’t consider all the senses, feelings, and belief systems of your client.
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I would agree with you Megan that what works for one client isn't necessary going to work for another. I feel that what is most important in being a "good" Therapist is "being present" in the room with that client and meeting their needs. I also feel that we need find out why the client is there and what their goals are for being in therapy and work towards their goals and not what we want as there therapist. So having feelings and emotions are very important in providing good therapy and being a good therapist.
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As much as a scientist or clinician may want to be objective, especially with emotionally charged things, it is impossible for them to stay objective. It is even more impossible for them to keep their emotions to themselves when they can relate to the subject. I know that I couldn't keep from at least tearing up if someone was telling me about the death of their child or from reminiscing when someone describes their love. And as good of an idea as it seem may be to ban emotions, doing so would make existence worthless.
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Songs are like dreams,we want to live inside them but songs are not real life.Songs exist in their own space and time. And can be forgotten or misplaced when times get unbearable. however, the memory of a song can stay with you like remembering your first love or your first kiss, it can stay with you forever. As a scientific observer one must remember that everyone is human, not a disorder. I am not sure how I feel about 9/11 today. When it first happened I tried to reenlist but the Army said I was too old. However now,I do not feel as strongly as I did then. Time will diminish feeling as we move forward in our lives. We will never forget but we will cry alittle less as the years go by. A song with a great hook never needs to be changed. Its just what it is, a great hook.
There is not one scientific measurement that can gauge how a person is feeling when another has falsely accused them of something. that is just plain mean and heartless. I know that there are many men sitting in their home alone thinking...is it?...no...maybe,mmm damn, hope not...it couldn't be mine...I think i'm in trouble.
Classifications are good when one is putting somethings in its place.At this time,I believe people want a quick solution to any given situation. if ti is too painful they do not want to fell it "just fix it and move on".I do not believe we are headed toward an Equilibrium state, but the powers that be might like us in a more unidirectional movement more so than an a omni directional.
The nomenclature of a practitioner, or a prospective practitioner should aways be warm and feel good to the ears.Not hard and unhuman.
Classification systems are important because it makes what you are looking for easier to find. I think both are important because being able to describe the common patterns of symptom presentation and to convey a feeling of understanding towards the patient 's suffering will allow the patient to feel closer to you.
I am enjoying Dibbs and I think there is going to be a surprise coming I don't know what it is ,but I feel one coming.
The waters of psychology are becoming stagnant because of the sociopolitical pressures not allowing in new psychological water, input,a different way of thinking. We need more philosophy in our psychology.
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As a future therapist, we need to be able to be both objective and observable, open-minded and empathetic sand especially practice within our scope. The most important thing for me is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment for my future clients so that I could implement an effective treatment plan that best suits their level of care.
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Truly love can be best described in a song for the flood of emotions that are elicited from moving words and music set a tone far more reaching then any scholarly article on human emotions describing love, but the only problem with songs or any other artistic venue is that such demonstrations of the heart can be subjective. What touches one person can sound like garbage to other. Because notions of love are personal, unless in reference to a specific case study, such subjective measurements can fail to categorize groups of people. More general or scientific methods of measuring love may be the best sense of such emotions. That being said, empathetic approaches are the most genuine forms of "helping" people. Naturally, there will be people who respond to change with "tough love" so to speak, but most people's dysfunctions are not usually a result of one showing to much love or being cuddled to much, rather lack of people who showed love in a person's life, or the perception of lack of love, or act(s) of cruelty befallen on a person that traumatize. Myself being of the humanistic approach with belief that cognitive behavior and motivational interviewing methods being the best ways to treat see very much the need for understanding on part of the therapist and a critical deconstructive method in the analyzing of a client and subsequent treatment. As far as the lingo, we need it for our own benefit. For better or worst, if there is a perception of professionalism, competency, and intellectualism there is the greater possibility of career success and also in the number of clients that would remain throughout treatment and respond. Again, not always the case, but even with co-workers, unless there is an appearance of intellectualism and that we know what we are talking about it would be hard to do our job and that is the most important thing. A therapist will do little sitting at home wishing for work. So I would stress the importance of knowing the basics for any therapist, and I would go beyond that and say that there should be a high standard of education to makes us prepared out in the workforce. Life experience only goes so far, life lessons come in many formats and yes even in books. Freedom is everything, without freedom there can be no love, and only with a capable mind and knowledge can one best know how to express that love. So a therapist's mind should be unlocked and open, but knowledgeable and possess skills necessary to put a helping heart to best use.
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In considering whether or not classification systems are important and to what effect, the current situation of psychology must not be ignored. As a therapist the role must encompass a 2 fold nature to accomplish its goal. The therapist almost does not have a choice in conforming to the standardized classification system, if you will, of diagnosis. This is an essential function if not for the purpose of actual treatment of the client, but so that the client can continue to receive service by way of 3rd party payments. The more important aspect of classification in regard to treatment is where the issue becomes more complex than black and white. No individual is a diagnosis. Symptoms present differently, and furthermore, the unique individual experience of each person plays a huge role in their individual life circumstance and the issues that they will bring to therapy. That is what should be the focus of the treatment, and not the diagnosis.
I think that this is vitally important when we look at the story of Dibs. This is a story of individual experience, not of diagnostic symptoms. The depth and magnitude of feeling is undeniable. As seen in the movie Equlibrium, even in a created society that sought to eliminate feeling, it was impossible to do so, in almost every regard. The ability to feel and have emotion is what makes the human animal unique and more complex. It gives us the ability to be who we are and cannot be removed without completely altering the state of human existence. And, as importantly should be a focus of treatment rather than getting sucked into putting an experience into a single stated “classification.”
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In response to the question posed regarding classification systems, I believe there needs to be a balance of such information (systems of classification) and the sensitivity to the "humanness" & uniqueness of each individual. If we only see patients as diagnoses or clusters of symptoms, then yes, we've missed the mark and are moving towards a world similar to that depicted in Equilibrium. Classifications of diagnoses serve only to guide our treatment, not dictate it. If we use these classifications, theories, past research, & suggested interventions to guide us, but always focus in on each patient as an individual who may be presenting and experiencing symptoms uniquely, we will have a better chance of meeting the patient where he or she is at and effectively providing care. I don't believe that classifications should be shrugged off completely. Though one may believe that the field of psychology is becoming "stagnant," that does not mean that the information discovered thus far is invalid. We simply need to not become complacent with it and view it as all there is. Identifying symptoms and patterns are important to initially guide treatment, but the loudest voice heard should be the one of the patient and his or her suffering.
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Classifications are important in understanding a clients present condition. It will help in determining the levels of the(1)Onset of episode(s), (2) Frequency of episodes, (3)Antecedents that illicit those episodes, (4) Intensity of the episodes, and lastly (5)Duration of the episodes. All of these help in the classification of symptoms so that we as aspiring therapists or clinicians, can apply the appropriate amount of intervention, combination of therapy and/or psychotropic medication.
I feel socio political pressures do dictate the contents of classification systems. Many pharmaceutical companies have their hand the cookie jar to assure that America is getting their dose of the all great numbing agents. Insurance companies will only cover specific types of conditions, so doctors wanting to please their patient, and their wallet as well, will misdiagnose for that purpose. Take in count the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Politicians, physicians, insurance companies, and the consumers all benefit from this with very little supervision at any level.
The story of Dibs, thank you Dr. BLT for the kind words, touches me more than reading about the diagnostic criteria for Childhood Disintegrated Disorder. I feel it is important both as student and practitioner to be empathetic to our clients. I understand that we are not to be emotionally attached to our clients, but building a therapeutic relationship with them makes it nearly impossible not to. I actually felt for Dibs just by reading about him. I felt as though I knew him on a deeper level. If I had read just the diagnosis in the DSM manual, i would not be so empathetic.
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I agree with the rest of the class. We have to look at the person in front of us as a whole human being, within their own environment and with their own ways of thinking and feeling. The DSM is just a tool for guidance and if we can understand the disorder the person is having, we can begin to treat the whole person. A person cannot be limited to a diagnosis. If so, our language would be more like "good morning bipolar I, how was your day...have its ups and downs?" or "good morning antisocial personality disorder, do you feel like everyone is against you today". This seems utterly ridiculous, and it would be utterly ridiculous to treat clients as if they ARE their diagnosis. The DSM lays out the black and white of the disorder, but there are always gray areas to be explored. We need to be able to be in tune with our own emotions to truely understand our clients, but also understand that my emotional response to something, may not be the same response that I have. So we must be empathetic, we must view this person as the same as everyone else, interacting in society the best way they can with the tools they are given. We must do our best to understand diagnosis, but also understand that the diagnosis is not the person.
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I believe song and spoken word is a wonderful way for the writer to describe the way he/she feels about the person they are writing about. However, I believe love is an emotion that requires person to display it through action. A person could easily tell someone they love them, but where is the proof or substance that this love actually exist. The word love could be used in vain by individuals trying to seek selfish gain such as money, sex, or other items to meet their need. I believe true love is displayed when someone commits self-less acts such as kindness, forgiveness, commitment, and sacrifice. These are all attributes geared to meet the other’s need for intimacy thereby creating safe and comfortable environment for all parties.
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I just recently visited New York for the first time and was shocked at how teared up I became seeing ground zero and walking into the memorial gallery. This horrible event took place 8 years ago and there was not one dry eye in that 9/11 memorial. The part that really made me teary-eyed was a tree that had pictures of all the fireman and innocent victims all tied to it's branches along with notes from the families writing about how much they love and will miss them. After experiencing that, I know that Americans' (even if we don't show it as much as we should) do have passion, do have human emotion, and are completely all that makes us human. I don't believe this society could become even close to what is portrayed in Equilibrium. Some people have a harder time showing emotion than others, but that emotion is there and I know that many therapists have changed many clients' lives because they were there to listen and empathize with their clients. In that memorial I saw some of the toughest looking men holding back tears which made me realize that even the hardest shells have a soft inside it just takes an event, an emotion, or a listening ear to crack.
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